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using a remote access programming service may be better solutions for some, not
to mention a more cost-effective way to
deal with the issue of constantly updating
your software and scanners.
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, in addition to keeping scanners upto-date. 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 great option is remote
access programming. 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 have to be included if
the vehicle can't be started until the programming is completed.

SHOP UPDATES

Updates are not just for the car or the
technician; the shop needs updates, too.
Computers are sensitive pieces of equipment and require the utmost care to
properly maintain signals as data is being
passed from the internet to the vehicle. 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.
Know that a solid internet connection is a must. A lot of programming
instructions state that any loss of power

PTEN

AUGUST 2019

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.
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."

www.VehicleServicePros.com

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' Glen Eaton
explained it this way: "Coverage is mainly determined by legislative mandates put
on the OEs to provide capabilities to the
aftermarket, and then if the OE decides
to provide more than the mandate. For
example, the mandate for providing
emissions related calibrations thru SAE
J2534 has an effective model year start
year of 2004, but many OEs have released
capabilities that go back as far as 1996.
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 to the mid-1990s."
Specific to remote coverage, Eaton
says there are other issues that must still
be overcome, such as OE application
conflicts, as well as ensuring that the
delivery method in which the OE provides the data is stable in a remote assist
program environment.
"For locksmith and some security processes, there are limitations for
remote programming due to the current
requirements of the SDRM process, but
we expect this to be overcome in the near
future through changes to that process,"
Eaton says.
Programming via Satellite
Directly to the Vehicle
I asked Eaton if he thought the bulk
of programming and updates will be
handled directly from the factory to the
vehicle via satellite in the future, bypassing the need for the technician to input
the data.
"This is an ongoing debate," Eaton
says. "Over-the-air programming is
being done today, but [mainly affects]
non-critical components of the vehicle
like infotainment features. Once you get
into safety and drivability, OEs have not

http://www.VehicleServicePros.com

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