Without diagnostic health scans, the shop and the insurer only have potentially fl awed customer testimony, and physical damage to the vehicle to make determinations regarding whether the damage is related to the accident or not. Every year more and more electronic controls are added to our vehicles. Proper procedures established now will guarantee the most efficient repair possible and also the most possible profit!

1. Diagnostic freeze frame data, if available,
can give a repairer clues to when a
diagnostic trouble code was triggered.
Freeze frame data is a record of many
different control units, such as fuel
systems, calculated loads, engine coolant
temperature, fuel trim, engine speed,
vehicle speed, etc. when a malfunction
is detected. When troubleshooting, it can
help determine if the vehicle was running
or turned off, the engine was warmed
up or not, the air-fuel ratio was LEAN or
RICH and other data from the time the
malfunction occurred.
A TRUE DIAGNOSIS AIDS
THE REPAIR PLAN
Issues with the automotive power train
can either be a normal part of the
repair process or a catastrophic ending,
depending on when the problem is found,
diagnosed, and repaired. The difference
in outcome is the timing of the data
collection. The best
time to obtain all
possible computer
readings is when
the vehicle is
first brought to
the shop. The
collection of the
freeze frame data
at the very start
can then be used
in the accurate
preparation of the
repair plan.
It’s important to understand that often
times vehicle owners haven’t seen or
been in contact with their vehicles in
several days or even weeks. The vehicle
has been subjected to multiple tow
trucks, tow yards, and outdoor elements.
A collision shop MUST document how
the vehicle arrived at the shop- both
physically and electronically.
The time of the data collection, when
compared to the time of the accident,
can also be a clue to determine if
covered components were normal, the
cause, or the result of the accident. This
information then can be used to better
refine the repair estimate. It can be
difficult to amend the estimate, order
parts and install components after repairs
have started, or worse, been completed.
In summation, is it related? Is it not
related? As with most challenges in life,
there are always two sides of the story.
The driver of the vehicle and the vehicle
itself are the only two parties that
experienced the accident. One has the
ability to be dishonest the other does
not. Without diagnostic health scans,
the shop and the insurer only have
potentially flawed customer testimony,
and physical damage to the vehicle
to make determinations regarding
whether the damage is related to the
accident or not. Where is the car’s
voice in this? That vehicle is potentially
storing data that could point to poor
maintenance, abuse
and even vandalism.
Its data could also
point to issues that
are loss related and
go undiscovered by
all parties because a
vehicle health scan
wasn’t performed. The
asTech device has the
ability to provide this
data to all parties by
using OEM scan tools
over the internet.
A POSSIBLE PROCESS SHIFT?
The master technicians at asTech.com
recommend implementing a policy of
conducting a pre-scan using an asTech
device when the vehicle arrives at the
repair facility. Accurate diagnostics
enhance a repair facility’s ability to
provide an accurate estimate.
The time to set up this process is now.
Every year more and more electronic
controls are added to our vehicles.
Proper procedures established now
will guarantee the most efficient repair
possible and also the most possible
profit! For professional assistance in
the collection and interpretation of all
vehicle data before, during and after
repairs contact the professionals at
www.astech.com.
Collision Repair:What Is and Is NotAccident Related?
“A collision shop
MUST document
how the vehicle
arrived at the shop–
both physically
and electronically.”