June 2021

JUNE 2021 AFTERMARKET 41 car parc, Adam White, Workshop Solutions Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, observed: “Last summer we saw unusually high demand for battery servicing, as many ran flat due to lack of use during the first coronavirus lockdown. This year, the same situation might well arise again, as cars get back on the road once more, and with longer journeys on the cards for many taking staycations. “The key thing for garages to be aware of is that a flat battery warning could be a consequence of an electrical fault, and the same is true in reverse. An incorrect diagnosis can lead to repeat problems, damaging customer trust in the garage, and causing them to look elsewhere next time. A vehicle that has its battery replaced due to a non-start after a long period of non-use may be wrongly diagnosed as the battery having reached the end of its lifespan. In fact, the true cause may be undiagnosed internal faults preventing the vehicle from fully shutting down. These can cause new batteries to run flat again within just a few days. Conversely, as a battery’s primary response to running flat is to protect a vehicle’s essential functions, it can begin to cut out non-essential power draining components such as radio, air con and electric windows to preserve energy. This has a significant impact on driver safety and experience at the wheel. But it’s easy to mistake these as symptoms of an electrical fault or a blown fuse, overlooking the root cause of a struggling battery. “Our advice is to test batteries as standard whenever any vehicle is brought in for servicing and repair. Doing so typically takes less than a minute, and can help technicians ensure they are providing the most accurate diagnosis, as well as driving additional revenue. Familiarity with solutions such as the Bosch KTS560 software can help technicians to quickly and accurately identify the root cause of battery faults, allowing them to take the most appropriate course of action and provide the best service to their customers. Visit omnipart.eurocarparts.com for more information.” Easy access Beyond just kit, support is also vital. Explaining how the AutoEducation Vehicle Troubleshooting Database can help, Adam said: “The Technical Helpline and Online Vehicle Troubleshooting services from LKQ Euro Car Parts’ AutoEducation Academy are currently available to garages on a free, two-month trial basis. Easy to access online or by phone, both services are IMI-accredited and provide repair and diagnostic assistance on all vehicle makes and models. Garages that sign up can access repair manuals, circuit diagrams, parts catalogues, component locations, real OEM portals, Master Technicians at the end of the phone, and more.” He added: “Being able to solve problems, faster means more time spent in the workshop can be billed to customers, delivering long-term benefits in terms of both revenue generation and the enhanced technical knowledge of the team.” For more information, visit: www.autoeducationacademy.com/technical-line/ Increase Battery issues are being seen all over, as Sundeep Singh, Technical Manager at Launch Tech UK observed: “With vehicles under use over the past year we have seen an increase in trade customers who are enquiring on how to perform the ‘Battery Reset’ function using their Launch Tech UK X431 diagnostic tools. “In most cases where car batteries are being replaced on modern vehicles, the technician will also need to carry out a battery reset so that the vehicle’s ECU acknowledge that the battery has been changed and the correct specification battery has been fitted so it can be charged appropriately. Skipping this diagnostic step will result in warning lights on the instrument cluster and the battery not being charged correctly or at all by the alternator, and other vehicle features such as stop/start technology will not work. “When using the Launch Tech UK X431 diagnostic tools this function can quickly be found via the ‘Reset’ or ‘Maintenance’ tab. Then select ‘Bat Reset’ and press OK. Once you are in the software select the manufacturer you are working on and then press ‘automatically search’. When the vehicle details are loaded select the on-screen instructions to enter the battery serial number, and select which AMP the replacement battery is, press OK and the X431 device will program the new battery specifications into the vehicle’s ECU.” Sundeep added: “By using handheld diagnostics tools, technicians can diagnose issues and faults on a wide number of vehicles efficiently and easily. These cost- effective tools benefit from wide vehicle coverage, an instant understanding of any given problem when a warning light illuminates, reporting, multiple language options and live data recording.” Transparent Different providers offer a variety of options. Commenting on Denso’s e-Videns tool, Fatiha Laauich, Pan EU Strategic Marketing Manager at DENSO Europe said: "The same way we would go to a GP for a health check, we can use e-Videns for a health assessment of our vehicle. Your GP might refer you to a specialist for further diagnosis in the same way as using a diagnostic tool after e-Videns to further investigate the issue identified by the tool, all of this while keeping a transparent and informative approach with your customer. “The e-Videns tool plugs into the OBD socket and undertakes a health check of the vehicle’s systems to identify potential faults or problems, and scan for any error codes. It also monitors live data from the engine, a process Below: RAP & Remote session as seen on DrivePro