350: 1 Million Download Special!
About this episode
The host marks a major download milestone and reflects on how the show has grown since launching in January 2020, just before COVID. He frames the audience as highly specialized, then digs into the numbers behind where listeners come from, which platforms they use, and how the podcast has fit through major personal and professional changes. The episode closes with gratitude and a clear commitment to keep producing technical automotive content.
This week on the show is slightly different, as we hit 1,000,000 downloads for the podcast this past week! I share my thoughts on the journey up to this point.
Website- https://autodiagpodcast.com/
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Email- [email protected]
Please make sure to check out our sponsors!
SJ Auto Solutions- https://sjautosolutions.com/
Automotive Seminars- https://automotiveseminars.com/
L1 Automotive Training- https://www.l1training.com/
Autorescue tools- https://autorescuetools.com/
control module
"...sourcing, installing, and programming a used control module in a vehicle?...checking out SJ Auto Solutions and Tommy Oliva. Tommy offers a cloning service for used control modules..."
A control module is like a car’s computer for a specific job (like controlling certain systems). If you replace one, the car usually needs to be set up so it can recognize the new module and work properly.
A control module is an electronic computer in a modern vehicle that manages specific systems like engine, transmission, body functions, or safety features. When it fails, replacing it often requires programming so it can communicate correctly with the rest of the car.
cloning
"Tommy offers a cloning service for used control modules to make these things plug and play for the vehicle..."
Cloning means copying the settings/data from a good module onto a replacement one. That way, the replacement can act like the original and usually works with less hassle.
Cloning is the process of copying the data from a working control module to a replacement module so it behaves like the original. This can reduce or eliminate the need for extensive reprogramming steps and helps the module become “plug and play.”
SJ Auto Solutions
"I strongly recommend checking out SJ Auto Solutions and Tommy Oliva. Tommy offers a cloning service for used control modules..."
SJ Auto Solutions is mentioned as a company that helps with control-module replacement and setup. The host recommends them for support around programming used modules.
SJ Auto Solutions is referenced as a resource for diagnosing and handling used control module replacement workflows. The host specifically points listeners to their services and support related to used module programming.
Tommy Oliva
"...SJ Auto Solutions and Tommy Oliva. Tommy offers a cloning service for used control modules..."
Tommy Oliva is mentioned as providing a cloning service for used control modules. The host also credits him with support from start to finish and tech support/resources for used control module programming.
plug and play
"Tommy offers a cloning service for used control modules to make these things plug and play for the vehicle that you're working on."
“Plug and play” means you can install the part and it works without a lot of extra steps. For control modules, that typically requires the right data so the car can recognize it.
“Plug and play” describes a replacement part that can be installed and will work correctly with minimal additional setup. In the control-module context, it usually means the module has been programmed or cloned so the vehicle recognizes it immediately.
L1 Automotive Training
"this episode is brought to you by L1 Automotive Training and Keith Perkins. If you're looking for education on module programming, J2534, eProm work, key in a mobilizer, electrical diagnostics or drivability diagnostics, Keith has a website L1training.com that's got over 60 hours of training videos on all those subjects and more."
L1 Automotive Training is a company that provides training for car technicians. In this ad, they’re promoting courses on things like programming car computers and doing diagnostics.
L1 Automotive Training is the training provider sponsoring this segment, offering educational content for automotive technicians. The episode mentions their resources for topics like module programming and diagnostics.
module programming
"If you're looking for education on module programming, J2534, eProm work, key in a mobilizer, electrical diagnostics or drivability diagnostics, Keith has a website L1training.com that's got over 60 hours of training videos on all those subjects and more."
Modern cars have computers that control things like the engine and transmission. Module programming means updating or setting up those computer modules with special tools so everything functions properly.
Module programming is the process of updating or reconfiguring a vehicle’s electronic control modules (ECUs) using a diagnostic tool. It’s often needed after repairs, replacements, or certain maintenance procedures so the car’s systems work correctly together.
J2534
"If you're looking for education on module programming, J2534, eProm work, key in a mobilizer, electrical diagnostics or drivability diagnostics, Keith has a website L1training.com that's got over 60 hours of training videos on all those subjects and more."
J2534 is a standard way to update a car’s computer using a special programming device. It helps shops program modules without having every brand’s expensive dealer tool.
J2534 refers to a standardized interface method (SAE J2534) for reflashing vehicle ECUs using a pass-through device. It’s commonly used for programming modules without needing the manufacturer’s proprietary tool.
eProm work
"If you're looking for education on module programming, J2534, eProm work, key in a mobilizer, electrical diagnostics or drivability diagnostics, Keith has a website L1training.com that's got over 60 hours of training videos on all those subjects and more."
EPROM work is about the car’s stored computer data—like a memory chip that holds software. Sometimes technicians need to read or rewrite that data to fix or update the car’s electronics.
“EPROM work” refers to reading, writing, or repairing erasable programmable memory used in some vehicle electronics. In practice, it often involves handling memory chips or ECU software images for reprogramming or troubleshooting.
key in a mobilizer
"If you're looking for education on module programming, J2534, eProm work, key in a mobilizer, electrical diagnostics or drivability diagnostics, Keith has a website L1training.com that's got over 60 hours of training videos on all those subjects and more."
The immobilizer is an anti-theft system that only lets the car start with the right key. “Key in a immobilizer” means programming the key so the car recognizes it.
This refers to immobilizer-related key programming—procedures that link a key fob to the vehicle’s immobilizer system so the car will start. It typically requires the correct programming steps and sometimes a scan tool to complete the handshake.
electrical diagnostics
"If you're looking for education on module programming, J2534, eProm work, key in a mobilizer, electrical diagnostics or drivability diagnostics, Keith has a website L1training.com that's got over 60 hours of training videos on all those subjects and more."
Electrical diagnostics means figuring out why a car’s electrical system isn’t working right. A technician checks wiring and components to find things like broken connections or bad sensors.
Electrical diagnostics is troubleshooting faults in a vehicle’s wiring, sensors, actuators, and control module inputs/outputs. It often involves measuring voltage, current draw, resistance, and checking for shorts/opens or communication issues.
drivability diagnostics
"If you're looking for education on module programming, J2534, eProm work, key in a mobilizer, electrical diagnostics or drivability diagnostics, Keith has a website L1training.com that's got over 60 hours of training videos on all those subjects and more."
Drivability diagnostics is troubleshooting problems you feel while driving, like rough running or hesitation. Technicians use scan tools and tests to find what’s causing the car to act wrong.
Drivability diagnostics focuses on diagnosing how the vehicle behaves while driving—such as hesitation, stalling, rough idle, or poor acceleration. It typically combines scan-tool data (fault codes and live parameters) with checks of fuel, air, ignition, and sensor signals.
downloads
"But yeah, like I said, it's mostly mobile. The other interesting thing was where the downloads are coming from. And this is another really like mind blowing thing about doing a podcast in, you know, today's day and age is you can put it out there and people anywhere in the world can listen to what you have to say, whether that be YouTube or podcast, but you can break it down by continent and by where those downloads are actually going."
They’re talking about podcast stats—what apps people use to listen and which countries the listeners are in.
The hosts discuss where podcast downloads come from (platform and geography), including mobile vs desktop usage and regional breakdowns.
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