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Technician Training

NAFA’s 2025 Institute & Expo is pleased to offer a specialty technician program and registration for technicians and service professionals! With this registration, you will receive two days of premier networking, education, and impactful experiences, giving you a glimpse of what I&E has to offer.

The Technician Training offers two day access on Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

Registration is not yet available for the Technician Training offering. Registration will open shortly. 

View the PDF breakdown and schedule.

Registration will include access to: FLEETSolutions Live Breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday, technician training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, Expo Hall, indoor EV Track in the Expo Hall, Refuel Happy Hour on Tuesday, outdoor Ride & Drive on Wednesday, and Closing Reception on Wednesday.

Note: The Technician Training is available to technicians and service professionals only on Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Documentation/proof of job description may be requested to complete registration. 

Technician Training Schedule

All events to occur on Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30, 2025. All educational sessions will be instructed by Gary Kimball and Ryan Payne, Trainers at Garage Gurus.

Tuesday, April 29

7:30 – 8:15 a.m.     FLEETSolutions Live Breakfast

8:30 – 11:30 a.m.    Garage Gurus: Advance Alignment Diagnostics
This clinic enhances the skills of the professional undercar technician in the area of advanced wheel alignment. It covers suspension and steering diagnosis due to bent parts from accidents and road hazards, vehicle modifications, tire/wheel resizing and height issues. A review of basic alignment angles followed by thorough explanation of steering axis inclination (SAI), included angle (IA), scrub radius and toe out on turns (TOOT) will assist the alignment technician in utilizing the aligner as a diagnostic tool. Related electronic systems are also covered in this course. Vehicle component inspection and customer communication skills are necessary traits for any successful alignment tech and the importance of these skills are stressed in this class.

  • Utilize the alignment machine as a diagnostic tool for the alignment and repair of vehicles involved in road hazard incidents and vehicle collisions.
  • Identify root causes for uneven or erratic tire wear and handling problems. Effectively communicate the results to the vehicle owner.
    Identify how vehicle modifications and tire/wheel changes affect alignment and dynamic operation.
  • Recognize scan tool functional tests, data stream interpretation and output controls to complete electronic steering and suspension service procedures

Speaker: Gary Kimball, Trainer, Garage Gurus

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.   Expo Hall and Lunch (lunch will be accessible in the Expo Hall until 1:00 p.m.)

1:30 – 4:30 p.m.    Garage Gurus: CAN Networks
Since many newer vehicles can have 30 or more onboard computers, this clinic helps technicians understand, identify and diagnose CAN (Controller Area Network) vehicle communication networks. We review network fundamentals to help the technician understand the need, strategy and protocol of CAN. To aid in diagnostics, various types of network topologies are reviewed and explained. To help pinpoint CAN failures, several electrical circuit integrity test methods are outlined to validate root cause of CAN communication failures. Application of the diagnostic strategies are highlighted through vehicle Case Studies shown throughout this seminar.

  • Identify network type and topology.
  • Utilize the proper tools and test procedures when diagnosing network fault.
  • Diagnose ‘U’ code failures on CAN networks and Test for ‘No Communication’ faults on CAN networks.

Speaker: Ryan Payne, Trainer, Garage Gurus

4:30 – 6:00 p.m.    Refuel Happy Hour in Expo Hall

Wednesday, April 30

7:30 – 8:15 a.m.     FLEETSolutions Live Breakfast

8:30 – 11:30 a.m.   Garage Gurus: Driveability Diagnostics
This clinic is designed to keep technicians current on changing Engine Management Systems and diagnostic procedures. The focus is on helping the technician become more proficient in interpreting the information the scan tool provides for engine performance diagnostics. We establish a foundation utilizing “strategy based diagnostics” to reduce diagnostic time and prevent emission related Check Engine light comebacks. We discuss utilizing scan tool information to gain diagnostic direction to repair today’s most seen Engine Performance concerns. Putting all the pieces together during an engine diagnostic is a lot like reading a road map; the key to success is finding the shortest path to the destination without getting lost.

  • Apply a logical flow of diagnosing Check Engine light concerns through understanding what the scan tool data is saying.
  • Utilize the graphing function of the scan tool to ‘trend’ important scan tool PID (Parameter Identification Data) relationships.
  • Diagnose emission related Check Engine light problems on vehicles through using generic and enhanced scan data analysis and Interpret important engine performance sensor information and vehicle operating system strategies.

Speaker: Ryan Payne, Trainer, Garage Gurus

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.   Expo Hall and Lunch (lunch will be accessible in the Expo Hall until 1:00 p.m.)

1:30 – 4:30 p.m.    Garage Gurus: Push Button and Smart Key Access
This clinic enhances the skills of the professional technician in the area of push-button start, smart keys and start/stop systems. All of these systems are integrated together and can have an impact on one another. This course will discuss tricks in navigating service information to find necessary information for diagnosing a ‘no-start’ or no ‘power up’ condition. We will highlight various methods to allow scan tool communication with relevant modules in the event of a dead fob, or a failed start button. Wiring schematic information is highlighted throughout to understand diagnostic strategies. We will review communication networks, security gateways and talk through all of the system checks necessary to power and start and run the vehicle.

  • Source wiring schematics relevant to vehicle starting systems using smart keys.
  • Identify root causes for a vehicle ‘no-start’ or ‘no power up’ condition.
  • Understand the hardware and electrical circuit control for start-stop systems.

Speaker: Gary Kimball, Trainer, Garage Gurus

3:00 – 5:00 p.m.    Outdoor Ride & Drive

5:00 – 6:30 p.m.    The Final Lap Closing Event

Schedule is subject to change.

 

Cancellation & Substitutions Policy

Registration may be cancelled with the following fees and penalties:

I&E Registration: All cancellations must be made in writing, via email and sent to registration@nafa.org. Cancellations received on or before January 31, 2025 are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations received between February 1 – March 14, 2025 are eligible for a 50% refund. Cancellations received after March 14, 2025, are not eligible for a refund.

CAFM Live: All cancellations must be made in writing, via email and sent to registration@nafa.org. CAFM enrollment is non-refundable. If event registration is cancelled, the above I&E refund schedule applies. However, if CAFM enrollment was included in the registration process, the discounted enrollment fee will be amended to the standard enrollment fee and the registration fees paid will be applied to the new enrollment total before and refunds are applicable.

Pre-Conference Programs: Enrollment in Sustainable Fleet Management or Maintenance Management Certificate Program is non-refundable and includes Manual, Study Guide, and online exam. Exam must be taken within one calendar year for Certificate to be earned. In the event in-person event registration is cancelled, enrollment will be moved to online course for completion.

NAFA Membership fees are non-refundable.

Name substitutions (within the same company/organization) may be made until March 14, 2025 at no charge. After March 14, all name substitutions will incur a $100 processing fee. If the name changes results in a higher registration fee/category being selected, you will be charged for the difference in rates. If a substitution results in the new registrant being in a lower fee category, the higher rate stands, and no refunds shall be made.

In the event NAFA must cancel the conference due to unforeseen circumstances, NAFA will automatically roll all registration fees to the 2025 Institute & Expo virtual program. Should a refund be requested, only portion not allocated to the virtual program will be refunded. In the event of cancellation of any portion, or entire event, NAFA does not assume responsibility for any additional costs, charges, or expenses; to include, charges made for travel and lodging.

Privacy Policy: During the process of registration, registrants share with us personal information about themselves which generally includes contact information, demographics pertaining to profession, and payment information. From time to time, NAFA may share this contact information with other organizations, such as trade show exhibitors and vendors, for marketing purposes. If registrant does not wish to receive such offers, they may “Opt Out” during the registration process.

For detailed information on how data is managed see NAFA’s Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.