Professional Distributor - 50

DIAGNOSTIC DISCOURSE
needed information from manufacturers' websites.

DIAGNOSTIC OPTIONS
Today, reprogramming choices are
once again on the rise. We've moved
from programming a single chip and
snail mailing the replacement chip to
the repair shop, to instantly receiving manufacturer data on the internet.
The method has changed, as have basic
requirements for shops to do this type
of procedure. Now technicians must
upgrade scanners, as well as a vehicle's
internal information. It's not uncommon to arrive at the shop in the morning
and turn on the scanner only to find it
needs an hour of solid downtime to load
the latest software.
Technology changes so often that
it might be a good idea for some shops
to investigate alternatives for their
programming needs. Partnering with
a mobile technician who specializes in
keeping his or her scanners up-to-date,
or using a remote access programming
service, could be a cost-effective solution for some.
Outsourcing programming might
make sense for some shops, based on
their physical location and/or lack of the
needed equipment. These days mobile
programming technology is a great
option. These technicians keep up with
the various changes from manufacturers and keep their scanners current. The
one-time cost of hiring a mobile technician might be the answer for those
shops that don't get into programming
and reflashing very often.
Another option is remote access
programming. The RAP by Drew Technologies is one product that comes to
mind. With RAP, the car does not have
to leave the service bay while the remote
technician (who could be in another
state) does the reflash for you. All you
have to do is turn the key on or off as
dictated by the procedures.
Finally, some shop owners might
find their best option is to take this

work to the dealer. Dealerships generally have the ability to reflash all of
their production vehicles ... and at a
fairly competitive price. Keep in mind,
in some cases a tow charge will apply
if the vehicle can't be started until the
programming is completed.

SHOP UPDATES AND REMINDERS
Updates are not just for the car or the
technician; the shop needs updates,
too. For exmple, a battery maintainer
is another important piece of equipment, as it is required to hold the battery at the optimum level. The battery
maintainer is not a battery charger, but
a very precise level of controlled battery
input to reduce any ripple effect that
could cause a spike or sudden drop in
the battery level.
Next, make sure computers have
the recent updates installed and are
in good condition. Know that a solid
internet connection is a must. A lot of
programming instructions state that
any loss of power or internet signal
could wipe out the PCM once and for
all, with no retrievable outcome in the
end. This also means it's best to keep
prying hands away from the equipment
while the procedure is being performed.
You should also keep your training
methods up-to-date. Knowing what
you're doing, and that you're doing it
proficiently, is of paramount importance.
Read, watch videos, attend classes, and
observe other technicians performing the
task; all will help make your experience
in programming a success.

WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY?
I asked Drew Technologies Product
Manager, Glen Eaton, and the VP of
Autologic Diagnostics, Kevin FitzPatrick, a few questions regarding the
future of programming, and where we
as technicians and shop owners can
expect changes and new developments
in the technology. Here's what they had
to say.

50 Professional Distributor I August 2019 I VehicleServicePros.com

Programming Affordability

Cost is a factor in every situation. It
helps to have some sense of what a shop
can expect to spend on equipment and
programming. Autologic's Kevin FitzPatrick says, "Equipment and capability
costs rise as the repair facility becomes
increasingly service-ready to properly
diagnose, repair, and program multiple
vehicle makes.
For most shops, it isn't feasible to
own and maintain every factory scan
tool, as the upfront and recurring
costs can become overwhelming and
payback diminishes."
The Autologic Drive solution offers
a high degree of capabilities across multiple vehicle makes -domestic, Asian,
and European brands. FitzPatrick says
it is reasonable to expect to invest at
least $10,000 upfront on equipment
and services.
"The shop needs to remember that
this investment is a profit center for
them to increase car count and ROI dollars," he says. "Even if a programming
event costs the shop $125, the shop
should be marking up the programming as it would a replacement part on
a vehicle, thus increasing profitability."

Remote Access Programming

With the relation to cost and availability, I've heard some great things about
remote accessing, but I've also heard
of limited coverage. The question is, is
there a shortage of coverage, or is the
coverage for remote accessing continually growing and expanding?
Drew Technologies' Glean Eaton
explained it this way: "Coverage is
mainly determined by legislative mandates put on the OEs to provide capabilities to the aftermarket, and then
whether the OE decides to provide more
than the mandate. For the more recent
Right to Repair Act, the effective model
year for providing dealership level
diagnostics, programming, and service
information is 2018, yet some OEs
have released information going back

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