To truly appreciate the advancements in automotive diagnostics, it’s essential to understand where we began. Just as recognizing progress in any field requires acknowledging its origins, grasping the significance of pre- and post-scan tools in today’s auto repair landscape necessitates a look back at the early days of vehicle diagnostics.
The journey began with a singular focus: electronic fuel injection control. In 1968, the Volkswagen® Type 3 Fastback emerged as the world’s first mass-produced vehicle equipped with electronic fuel injection, utilizing a transistorized electronic module developed by Bosch®. This marked the dawn of computer-controlled systems in automobiles, a far cry from the sophisticated diagnostic tools we rely on today.
A classic 1970 Volkswagen Type 3 Fastback, an early adopter of electronic fuel injection technology.
This era reminds me of my early days working on big rigs in the 1970s, a time when Citizen Band (CB) radios were the height of cool communication. Think of them as the precursor to today’s smartphones. The popularity of films like “Smokey and the Bandit” and songs like “Convoy” cemented CB radios as a cultural phenomenon.
A vintage citizen band radio, reflecting the communication technology of the 1970s.
I even installed a CB radio in my bright yellow 1974 Mercury® Monterey, using the handle “Yellow Jacket.” I’d chat with truckers, offering road condition updates and jokingly ribbing them about the repairs their big rigs were creating for me. Through these conversations, I learned a peculiar secret, shared amongst truckers, about those early electronically fuel-injected Volkswagens.
Truckers discovered that by simply keying their microphone (transmitting on a specific CB channel) when passing a VW Fastback, the radio frequency signal would interfere with the car’s transistorized electronic module. This interference caused the fuel injection system to shut down completely, leaving the VW stranded as if the ignition had been turned off. The car wouldn’t restart until the trucker released the mic button or drove out of range. Truckers would even share the location of disabled VWs, a playful prank at the expense of Volkswagen owners. A shielded wiring harness kit was eventually developed to solve this radio frequency interference (RFI) issue. This anecdote serves as a vivid illustration of the challenges and rudimentary nature of early automotive electronics and diagnostics. (Please, for the sake of vintage Volkswagens, do not attempt to replicate this!).
Fast forward to the late 1970s, my time at a Datsun® dealership emphasized the importance of preliminary checks before diving into complex diagnostic procedures. Before reaching for specialized factory tools to diagnose the electronic fuel injection systems, I adopted a “pre-scan” approach, examining basic elements that could impact the computer system and its components. Ensuring clean battery connections and proper voltage to the computer module was crucial, as poor grounding or low voltage could cause significant system disruptions. Similarly, checking for alternator diode issues, which could introduce “dirty voltage,” became part of my routine pre-diagnostic checks. I also routinely performed vacuum tests and exhaust flow analysis to assess the engine’s mechanical condition.
A vacuum gauge, a fundamental tool for assessing engine mechanical health in pre-scan diagnostics.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, this practice of basic pre-diagnostic checks remained invaluable. Skipping these steps could lead down incorrect diagnostic paths, wasting valuable time and effort.
As vehicle technology advanced, with an increasing number of interconnected modules, onboard systems gained the ability to self-detect issues related to these basic checks. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) began networking these modules, paving the way for comprehensive system scans. This networking revolution allowed tool developers to create scan tools capable of checking all modules for fault codes in mere minutes.
This brings us to the modern era of pre-scan and post-scan diagnostics – often referred to as pre-repair and after-repair scans. This transformative capability emerged around 2014, revolutionizing automotive repair workflows.
The concept of pre-scan and post-scan in modern automotive diagnostics, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
My experience has consistently shown that return visits, or “comebacks,” often stem from overlooked issues rather than mistakes made during the repair itself. The most successful technicians and auto repair shops understand this, implementing pre-scan procedures on every vehicle upon arrival and conducting a post-scan as the final step before returning the vehicle to the customer. This proactive approach identifies potential additional work, minimizes comebacks, and significantly improves efficiency. As the original article title suggests, pre- and post-scan tools are truly “Solid Gold for Profitability!”
Many insurance providers now mandate pre- and post-scans as part of their claims process. This requirement ensures that repairs are completed thoroughly and accurately, verifying that all necessary work has been addressed.
Diagnostic health scan options, available on advanced scan tools like Snap-on®, offer a customer-friendly overview of a vehicle’s condition. These comprehensive reports, easily printable for customers before and after service, enhance transparency and build trust.
A vehicle system report generated by a diagnostic scan tool, providing a clear overview for customers.
Performing a vehicle health check provides peace of mind for both the technician and the customer. Many underlying system issues don’t trigger dashboard warning lights, remaining undetected without a comprehensive scan. Diagnostic Health Scan Reports not only uncover these hidden issues but also project professionalism, boosting shop credibility and justifying diagnostic service charges.
Speaking of diagnostic charges, shop owners should periodically re-evaluate these rates. The diagnostic charge has become an industry standard, designed to offset the investment in the advanced information and equipment necessary for diagnosing today’s complex vehicles.
Returning to the value of scan reports, remember to show your work – show your worth.
Beyond printed reports, modern scan tools offer digital sharing capabilities. Reports can be easily emailed or texted to vehicle owners using platforms like Snap-on© Cloud, accessible through www.altusdrive.com. This cloud service is complimentary for diagnostic tool owners with active software subscriptions.
Snap-on Cloud AltusDrive interface, enabling digital sharing of diagnostic reports.
Once a scan is completed, the report is securely uploaded to the cloud, allowing easy access from phones, laptops, or desktops. From there, reports can be seamlessly added to customer files or shared directly via email or text.
Accessing diagnostic reports on various devices through Snap-on Cloud AltusDrive.
Another significant time-saving advantage of pre-scan functionality is the direct access to intelligent diagnostics. If a fault code is detected during the pre-scan, a “diagnose” button appears, linking directly to the Fast-Track® Intelligent Diagnostics platform. The images below showcase this feature using an OBD-II scanner, the ZEUS+™, equipped with Fast-Track Intelligent Diagnostics.
Fault code detection with a “diagnose” button linking to intelligent diagnostics on a scan tool.
By simply tapping this button, technicians gain instant access to a guided workflow, streamlining the diagnostic process and accelerating problem resolution – all within a single screen. Fast-Track Intelligent Diagnostics intelligently connects problems with verified solutions, eliminating the need to sift through volumes of generic data, Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), repair tips, and functional tests. Everything is vehicle-specific and code-relevant, accessible at the touch of a button post-scan.
Fast-Track Intelligent Diagnostics workflow chart, illustrating streamlined problem-solving from pre-scan to solution.
The optimized workflow incorporating pre- and post-scans significantly enhances shop efficiency and diagnostic accuracy.
Snap-on pre- and post-scan workflow diagram, highlighting the steps for efficient diagnostics and repair.
While other scan tool manufacturers offer similar features to Snap-on’s pre- and post-scan, often labeling it “Topology,” these implementations can vary significantly. Generic topology templates cannot account for the vast differences in layouts and data bus configurations across different OEMs.
Snap-on prioritized simplicity, efficiency, and speed in its pre- and post-scan design. The layouts are clear, concise, and VIN-specific, ensuring that only relevant module data is displayed for the specific vehicle being diagnosed. This precision eliminates unnecessary complexity and wasted time. The diagnostic health scan reports are designed for customer comprehension, fostering trust and transparency.
Snap-on pre-/post-scans are VIN specific, presenting only modules relevant to the scanned vehicle. This focus on vehicle-specific data ensures accuracy and efficiency in the diagnostic process.
Technology has truly brought us to a new era of automotive diagnostics. We’ve come a long way from CB radios and VW Fastbacks, and pre- and post-scan tools represent a significant leap forward in efficiency, accuracy, and profitability for modern auto repair shops.
