6th Annual
LTS Conference 2002

"Your Key To OBD-II Service"

September 12 - 15, 2002

“Your Key To OBD-II Service” offered the latest OBD-II information available to date, taught by the leading edge automotive technicians and instructors from across the country!

Over 250 technicians attended to hang out with our “OBD-II Crew” for the weekend.


Weekend Agenda:

Thursday, September 12th, 2002

The conference started at registration with the LTS crew and LTS Shop Tours. Time was also provided for the attendees to visit the vendors and sponsors.

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

Friday, September 13th, 2002

After breakfast on Friday morning, Jim Linder introduced the 2002 Conference followed by Randy Dillman's morning class session.

Photo
Not
Available

Timing Today's Domestic Engines
with Randy Dillman
Randy has been a trainer for Linder Technical for 7 years. In 1995, he opened LTS North, a satellite training facility in Ft. Wayne, IN. He has a degree from Purdue University in Electrical Engineering Technology and has spent 14 years as a technician, with 10 of those years being a flatrater. Randy is an iATN sponsor and Jaguar enthusiast.

After a quick refreshment break, the training continued with John Thornton up to lunch time and resumed after lunch until dinner.

Toyota Wide Range Air/Fuel Sensor;
OBD-II Evaporative Systems;
Honda Enhanced EVAP
with John Thornton (ASE Master Auto & L1)
John is the owner of Pro-Tec Auto in Naperville, Illinois and has been in the business for 24 years. John is a monthly contributor to “Underhood Service” magazine. He also teaches driveability and IM240 training classes in the Naperville area, as well as ABS and electronic transmission classes in Chicago and Milwaukee.

Still reeling from a day's training, the technicians in attendance were fed a fantastic dinner and had time to spend with the vendors on into the evening.

Saturday, September 14th, 2002

Saturday started off with breakfast in the Atrium followed by John Forro's class session.

Chrysler OBD-II and Mode 6 Data
with John Forro (ASE Master Auto, L1, ASE H.D. Truck & Body)
John Forro has been a full time technician for the last 17 years at an independent repair shop specializing in computer diagnostics, electrical, air bag and anti-lock brake service. About 5 years ago, he started his own training company (AST Training) and has been performing classes in the Cleveland area and served as a guest instructor for several automotive organizations and events. Forro and his company, AST Training, have been featured in several of the industry’s trade magazines. Forro, along with his partner, Ralph Birnbaum, are the authors of the Motor Magazine’s Top 20 Tool Award winning book, “Silver Bullets”. This is the first book to have ever been awarded this coveted award.

After John's class, the attendees had more time to spend with the vendors. Their "bingo cards" were stamped by each vendor for a chance to win one of the many door prizes and then it was on to lunch.

The training continued after lunch with Craig Van Batenburg.

Hybrid Vehicle Service
with Craig Van Batenburg (ASE Master Auto & L1)
Craig is the owner of Van Batenburg’s Garage, Inc.—a high-tech service center specializing in Honda and Acura. He has been the owner and lead technician for over 24 years. Prior to that, he worked in motorcycle and automotive Craig delivers technical seminars nationally. He is also the owner of Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC). ACDC is certified with Massachusetts and Rhode Island for their I/M emission programs and offers First and Edge training. In addition, he is a contributing writer for Motor Age, Auto-Inc., NESSARA’s News-Brief and writes an informative consumer newsletter.

A quick refreshment break followed Craig's class and then it was on to Jim Wilson's presentation.

Diagnostic Clues in Freeze Frames and Failure Records
with Jim Wilson (ASE A6, A8 & L1)
Jim has been a driveability/electrical technician for GM dealers for over 23 years. He is the founder and technical writer for Flatrater Diagnostics (www.flatrater.com). Jim also teaches GM Computer Controls at the local Mt. San Jacento Community College. Along with his ASE certifications, Jim is a Chevrolet Certified Engine Performance Specialist.

After Jim's class, the technicians had a final chance to get their "bingo cards" stamped by all the vendors. When the "bingo cards" were filled, the LTS staff exchanged them for a token to use in the "gumball machine". The "gumball machine" contained "bubbles"; some of the bubbles contained "LTS air" and some held a ticket for a chance at a door prize or a chance to be a contestant in the game show "Techardy"

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

Table full of door prizes.	Doug explains the rules.	Trying for a chance at a door prize.
Must have been the "LTS air."	Michele assists a lucky winner.	The crowd watches with anticipation.

After all the attendees had a chance at the "gumball machine" and their belly's were full from another fine dinner, the focus moved to the evening's entertainment.

TECHARDY
presented by Tools for Education

Pictures from the game show "Techardy", where our 3 contestants competed for their choice of 3 fabulous prizes.

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

Photo courtesy of Tim Nichols A view of the game board.	Photo courtesy of Tim Nichols The host introduces our contestants.	Photo courtesy of Tim Nichols The contestants focus in on the questions.
The host for our show Jerry "G" Truglia.	"G" asks our contestants to share a story about themselves.	Door prizes for the show.
First place winner Tom Perkins from Springfield, MO chose the Mastertech provided by Vetronix valued at $3500!	Second place winner Doug Rufenacht from Archbold, OH chose the AutoCare Fuel System Service Center valued at $2800!	Third place winner Dave Eisenback from Tequesta, FL received the EMS Gas Analyzer valued at $2500+!

Sunday, September 15th, 2002

After another fine breakfast on Sunday morning, the conference finished off with a choice of 2 more training sessions. The technical session was led by Jerry "G" Truglia.

Getting to Know OBD-II
with Jerry “G” Truglia (ASE Master Auto & Truck,L-1, CNG, Undercar Specialist and School Bus)
Jerry’s qualifications include C.A.A.T., National Train the Trainer ATTP Master Instructor, SAE/STS Board of Governors and Technical Committee Adviser, MACS Instructor, Fluke Master instructor, SPX, NYS Dyno instructor, and Rutgers University Instructor. Jerry has participated in writing ASE L1 test questions and has written automotive articles for CAAT and other publications. He co-authored the Motor Magazine 2001 Top 20 winning book, “Getting to Know OBD II”. Jerry has appeared on radio, TV, internet and founded the technical hot line, ChatforTechs.com. He provides OBD II training for the states of Alaska, New York, Virginia and Wisconsin.

This year the conference also offered a shop management class led by Craig Van Batenburg

"Now That You Know How to Fix It, Learn How to Get Paid For It!"
with Craig Van Batenburg (ASE Master Auto & L1)
Craig is the owner of Van Batenburg’s Garage, Inc.—a high-tech service center specializing in Honda and Acura. He has been the owner and lead technician for over 24 years. Prior to that, he worked in motorcycle and automotive Craig delivers technical seminars nationally. He is also the owner of Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC). ACDC is certified with Massachusetts and Rhode Island for their I/M emission programs and offers First and Edge training. In addition, he is a contributing writer for Motor Age, Auto-Inc., NESSARA’s News-Brief and writes an informative consumer newsletter.

Conference Sponsors and Vendors

We would like to thank these companies and their representatives for participating in and contributing to this event. Over 75 door prizes were awarded totaling over $20,000

AATEC

2 Multi-meters

ACDC

2 DLC Locator books and a Honda Quick Tips guide

Automotive Electronics Services (AES)

2 Acupuncture Probe Sets

AQR Books

2 "Friday Afternoon Books"

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)

3 Denim Jackets w/ ASE logo

AST

Silver Bullet Book

Auto Care

FS 2000 Fuel System Service Center

AutoXray

2 Scanners

Auto Video Inc. (AVI)

$500 Gift Certificate toward purchase of their videos

Coda Products

Fuel System Analyzer

DATEC

COP III & DIS Adapter

Emission Systems

Gas Analyzer with an upgrade certificate

Flatrater.com

5 Flatrater CD-ROMs (volumes 1-4)

Hickok, Inc.

2 Zippered Portfolios w/ Hickok logo

LTS Fuel Service

3 LTS Fuel Injection Wall Clocks
1 Bungee Cord set
2 350 pc. Wire Tie asst.
1 Battery Jump-Pac
1 1000 pc. Terminal Kit w/ case
2 7-function Multi-testers
1 Mag-Lite
2 Butane Micro Torches
1 Sensor Simulator