Doing the right thing,
at the right time,
for the right reason.
Troubleshooting & Diagnostics
I know what’s wrong – I just need someone to fix it
What you are about to read is based on decades of experience. With the utmost respect we will always advise you to have a diagnostic performed to at least confirm the.
When someone asks us to effect repairs to their vehicle without giving us the opportunity to confirm that the repairs will fix the problem, it puts us in a precarious position, but it also puts the owner of the vehicle in a potentially tight spot as well. All problems must be pinpoint diagnosed as a first step.
Most everyone expects to pay for diagnostic work whether it’s to find out what’s wrong with the car or why that knee constantly hurts when you walk – we pay our experts for their knowledge and skill all the while hoping the diagnosis is accurate.
We strive to hit our diagnostic target
When we charge money to diagnose a problem we take responsibility our conclusions. The reason is simple – We treat others the same way we want to be treated.
Your Colchin team will put forth their best effort to hit the diagnostic target every time and in the most efficient manner possible. Saving money is the name of the game.
Layers Of The Onion
Simply stated, diagnostics is like peeling back the layers of an onion. It’s detective work with deductive reasoning backed up by experience.
What this means to you is the cost of a diagnostic process could go up as we peel back the onion.
The Colchin Auto team has tons of experience with diagnostics – here’s the data. 85% of all diagnostic processes we perform get solved in one single step. 15% require a conversation with you to battle plan the next steps.
Case Study #1 Good Thing We Diagnosed It First!
A vehicle that would not start came to us early in 2020. It had been to another shop where the owner was told the central gateway computer was faulty and needed to be replaced because a quick scan of the vehicles’ digital system confirmed that none of the main computers were communicating on the network – Thus a no-start condition. All this would cost $1750. The owner was not comfortable with this information and wisely decided to call Colchin Automotive on a recommendation from a friend.
Once the vehicle was in our care, Brian S. confirmed the no start and lack of communication amongst network nodes. During his diagnostic process he stated he was uncomfortable replacing the electric power steering control module which was indicated to be faulty. Keep digging. In the end Brian S. discovered damage to a wire harness that resulted in one severed wire – One of four communication wires. This is not supposed to happen – An engine no-start is not expected to be the result of one failed communication wire on an automotive network, but it happened. Brian repaired the wire as well as corrected the reason the wire got damaged in the first place, cleared codes from all computers and the engine started! Cost to diagnose and repair…..$863. Everyone’s happy.
Your Take-Away
Spending money on diagnostics with people you trust saves you money and affords peace of mind.
