Wrench Tales #8: Brian Culotta
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- We are back again with Motor Age Technical Editor Brandon Steckler, for the latest episode of Wrench Tales. That’s right, episode #8, and this time with his great friend and diagnostic mastermind Brian Culotta.
Brian was faced with a 2017 Infinity QX60 experiencing a crank/no-start, as well as a stall under acceleration. Brian quickly obtained some basic information with the scan tool for this vehicle’s GDI driven powerplant.
Although fuel rail pressure was present it was nearly maxed out at 2800 psi! Curious if the abnormally high fuel rail pressure was the cause of the issue Brian experimented, and inadvertently eliminated the symptoms!
However, it was Brain’s knowledge of the high pressure GDI system functionality and some capable diagnostic equipment that led him to build the test plane that flushed the fault right to the surface. Brian didn’t have to dig deep for the problem. In fact, with his clever test procedure, the fault came right to him!
You don’t want to miss this episode of Wrench Tales. Listen in on the discussion between Brian and Brandon and learn what it takes to be efficient and accurate when your GDI driveability diagnostics from the driver’s seat to beneath the hood!
There's lots more from Motor Age! Check out our video library at
th-cam.com/users/MotorA...
Receive your FREE SUBSCRIPTION to Motor Age here:
endeavor.drago...
Each issue is packed with in-depth technical articles from experts, brief tech tips and repair strategies, TSBs, and much, much more!
DID YOU KNOW? Motor Age offers a library of ASE Certification training materials. Motor Age Training's books, practice tests and video resources is edited by ASE Master Technicians with years of experience in repair processes. Each product is designed to help you prepare for and pass your ASE certification exam - GUARANTEED. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE:
motoragetraini...
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: / motoragemagazine
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR EVERYTHING AUTOMOTIVE
www.vehicleserv...
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Due to factors beyond the control of Endeavor Business Media, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information or improper use of this information. Endeavor Business Media assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Endeavor Business Media recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Endeavor Business Media, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Endeavor Business Media.
The tool and/or equipment featured in this video was supplied by the manufacturer and may or may not be retained by the reviewer at no cost.
Thank you Brian and Brandon for sharing this case study with some pointers along the way.
It’s our pleasure! Thanks for watching
Thank you Brian for your diagnosis/repair and to Brandon for bringing Brian in to share that diagnostic story.
Good One Guys!
You’re very welcome. We are pleased you’ve enjoyed it!
Beautiful lesson! Thank you Brandon.
Thank you for watching!
I liked this video / master class sooo much ! It was interesting , entertaining and EDUCATIONAL !! Brian is a great diagnostician !! Well done 👍🏼 . Thanks again Brandon . Have a tremendous weekend gentlemen .
👊🏼 🔥 🧾 📈 🔑
Thank you for watching!
This was a great video learned a lot about GDI . 👍🏻
Great, mission accomplished!
Brian Culotta,Trained by Techs
Thanks for sharing it with us. It is a very helpful information video very grateful
👍
SHREWD,Brian Culotta,,Trained by Techs
Can't wait for the next video,BRANDON STECKLER MOTOR AGE
👍
SHARP-WITTED, BRANDON STECKLER MOTOR AGE
Take care,BRANDON STECKLER MOTOR AGE
From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧 ⏰️ 23:11PM Good Evening everyone in 🇺🇸 and around the 🌎
Always appreciated, Nick. Thank you !
Thumbs up before i have watched this, i know its gonna be good! Thank you guys.😊😊😊
Much appreciated!
Well done. I was hoping to see after fix waveform
I understand, I’m sorry we didn’t have one to share
What a great podcast idea lol.
Thank you!
My only question left is . . .
What do you think was the actual root cause? The common thread joining the 3 injectors on one bank faulting.
If the injectors are paired in their switched power supply. You would think it would only affect 2 injectors, not 3. Unless on this car, the 3 on each bank are grouped as each injection event alternates between banks with this firing order?
If each has the own switched path to earth. Only 1 would be affected.
Unless the ecu earth ultimately is shared between the individual injector earths of that one bank.
I get that it could be a capacitor issue. But where is the common point it would be located to affect all 3 on one bank?
The way the power is supplied suggests one for the 12v driver and one for the 65v driver for each bank.
Would that mean 2 groups of 3? Or are they always only in pairs?
Only one injector was effected. We have a strong hunch it was electronic components that were faulty, like a diode or capacitor internal to the PCM.
@brandonsteckler3417 I'm going to have to rewatch this one. I thought the amp capture showed the "ringing" present on every second injection event = one whole bank in 1, 3 and 5.
I probably missed a key part and will rewatch. 😉
So the "ringing" was present on one bank of injectors. Cylinders 1,3,5
The "affect" to the vehicle, with my best understanding, is that the engine controller could not provide enough "stepped up" voltage to these injectors to create a strong enough magnetic field to overcome the increased fuel pressure a HP pump creates. Unfortunately, I never was able to acquire a signal of injectors during the no-start condition. The symptoms disappeared after disconnecting the PCM to access the wiring to make my connections. Unfortunately, that potential "capacitance discharge" event caused the symptoms to disappear on me.
The ringing in the waveform paired with the factory diagnostic process was enough evidence I needed to condemn the pcm. As always, my least favorite part to condemn.
The after capture is available on Trained by Techs last live stream. The ringing was completely cleaned up with a replacement PCM.
He sounds just like the Gain laundry detergent guy
What! Lol! Best compliment ever. Thanks!
Looks like a bad fly back diode on the driver.
Our thoughts exactly (or maybe a capacitor?)
The idea of reaching pressures so high that the injectors can't physically open.... wow.
Cracked or cold solder joint on internal side of a connector pin. Extreme temperature changes would provoke it.
This is our thoughts as well, thank you