06/03/2020
Step One: The service writer interviews the customer and documents the symptoms on a diagnostic form.
Step Two: The technician confirms the problem, and starts with some basic checks. For example, check the battery and make sure the connections are in good condition.
Step Three: The technician then checks for any service updates related to the symptoms and system with the problem. This is where a layperson may get the idea that “If you took your BMW to a dealer this is what they do, they call the manufacturer and they say what to repair.” It’s true that there are “pattern failures.” Things can go wrong because of a faulty batch of parts. These faults include related recalls and service updates. Once the technician is sure there are not any quick fixes he is on his own!
Step Four: The skilled diagnostic technician, reviews the system being worked on and starts a logical step by step diagnostic procedure.
Step Five: At this stage, the mechanic might call a technical support hotline, and go over the process he is using. He might share data, and the support hot line might link with the technician to work together to diagnose the problem in the most efficient way.
Step Six: Once the problem has been diagnosed the technician reports his findings to the service writer.
Step Seven: The service writer makes an estimate of what it will cost to complete the repair and calls the customer to get approval to proceed. Sometimes we find a defective part, and we have to replace it to continue the diagnosis. This could be the only problem or the first step in the diagnosis.
Step Eight: Once the problem is repaired, the technician reassembles and tests the vehicle. He saves the data in the computer. Sometimes we perform a complete electronic scan of the car and save it in the computer.
Step Nine: The service writer then finishes documenting the repair.
Step Ten: Once everything has been documented, the vehicle is given a final test drive and check before it is parked and is ready to be returned to the customer.
Is this how you thought the auto repair diagnostic process worked? I think this is certainly how I expected our gas fireplace repair process to proceed, but I was wrong about that. Have you ever thought a diagnostic process would go one way and it went another? Share it with us in the comment section.
