On-Board Diagnostics in North Kansas City Missouri

Some are confused by charges for diagnostic services for a vehicle repair. Many services include diagnostic fees. When you take your laptop in for a problem, you’ll likely have to leave a deposit for diagnostics. When we go into the doctor for a medical problem, we’re paying him to diagnose our ailment and of course for the tests that go along with it. So, receiving a diagnostic charge for a tricky automotive problem shouldn’t be a surprise.

Automotive diagnostics can cover quite a range. If you hear a noise in you brakes, a quick visual check is usually enough to know what needs to be done. If you’re having an intermittent problem with your engine, diagnosis may be much more involved.

Much of the public’s confusion comes when the problem involves the check engine light. The check engine light comes on when the engine management computer has sensed a problem. There’s a common misconception that the trouble code tells the technician exactly what’s wrong. Why then is there a diagnostic charge, the scanner just gave the diagnosis?

Reality is more involved than that. The trouble code just tells the technician what engine parameter is out of range – not what’s causing it. The technician needs to determine the underlying problem that’s causing the symptom. The technician makes a list of the most likely causes and begins tracking down the source of the problem.

Some diagnoses are quick and easy. Others are more involved and difficult. Of course, your service center wants to figure out what’s wrong with your car and get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

Give us a call

Northtown Auto Clinic
2235 Taney Street
North Kansas City, Missouri 64116
816-842-1777
www.NorthtownAutoClinic.com