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What the Initial Diagnostic Fee Covers

Our initial automotive electronics diagnostic fee covers up to two hours of technician time to assess the module and investigate the reported fault. This time may include opening the module where practical, visual inspection, researching technical information or pinouts, taking measurements, checking power supplies and grounds, testing for shorts or abnormal current draw, checking communication circuits, and investigating components or circuits related to the reported fault.

Automotive electronic diagnosis can be complex. An ECU, TCU, EPCU, ABS module, BCM or other control unit may depend on wiring, sensors, other modules, immobiliser systems, vehicle networks and operating conditions that cannot always be reproduced on the bench. For that reason, the initial diagnostic fee is payment for skilled investigation and testing, not a promise that we will identify the exact cause of the fault within two hours.

What We Can Usually Achieve in Two Hours

In many cases, two hours gives us enough time to identify a likely fault area and determine whether a component-level repair appears practical. Where we can identify the problem sufficiently, we will usually be able to provide a recommendation and quotation for further repair work.

Some faults require more time. This is more likely where the fault is intermittent, the module behaves normally on the bench, the issue depends on other vehicle systems, technical information is unavailable, several possible causes need to be ruled out, software or coding may be involved, or the board has extensive corrosion, previous repairs or multiple failures.

Possible Outcomes of the Initial Assessment

• We identify the fault and can quote a repair. This is the most common outcome where we find a repairable component-level problem.
• We identify a likely fault area but need additional diagnostic time. We will normally discuss this with you before carrying out further chargeable investigation.
• We find no fault during bench testing. Some faults only appear in the vehicle or under specific operating conditions that we cannot reproduce on the bench.
• We cannot reach a reliable conclusion within the initial assessment period. Further testing may be required, or additional investigation may not be economical or technically practical.
• We determine that the module is not practically repairable. Severe damage, unavailable components, inaccessible or programmed ICs, software restrictions or other limitations can make repair impractical.

Bench Testing Has Limitations

We normally assess the electronic module itself rather than diagnose the complete vehicle. A module can test correctly on the bench while still appearing to malfunction in the vehicle. Vehicle-side wiring, connectors, sensors, grounds, battery or charging problems, other control modules, immobiliser systems and network communication can all produce symptoms that appear to originate from the module.

Fault codes, voltage measurements, workshop notes, symptoms, and details of tests already completed by the mechanic or auto electrician help us use the available diagnostic time more effectively.

The Diagnostic Fee Remains Payable Regardless of the Outcome

The initial diagnostic fee covers the technician's time, testing and investigation. It remains payable even if we cannot reproduce the fault, cannot identify a definitive cause, determine that further testing is required, or conclude that the module cannot be repaired. Payment of the diagnostic fee should therefore be understood as payment for an assessment and investigation, rather than payment for a successful diagnosis or repair.