BMW Warranty Simplification Program (WSP) Standard Variable Diagnosis Work Time (SI B01 01 20)
Publication date: 2020-07-09Reference number: SI B01 01 20
BMW WARRANTY SIMPLIFICATION PROGRAM (WSP) STANDARD VARIABLE DIAGNOSIS WORK TIME
SERVICE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
| BMW: | All Models |
SERVICE INFORMATION
This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B01 01 20 dated January 2020
What's New:
- Reference to Standard Variable Diagnosis work time added
- Reference to the new Diagnosis Work Time Flat Rate Concept Bulletin, SI B01 07 20, added
- The new D9 Diagnosis Category and DCI Code Description added
- Technician Documentation Minimum Requirements table expanded and updated
SITUATION
The BMW of North America (BMW NA) Warranty department wants to help your center to drastically reduce the amount of repair-related notes/comments that are being entered for all claim-related repair order line items, correspondingly, reducing the amount of time a technician spends documenting diagnosis work time (WT) in the Dealer Management System (DMS).
This will be accomplished by applying the new technician documentation minimum requirements and providing high-level repair-related notes through the use of:
- Diagnosis Category Identifiers;
- Repair Category Identifiers; and when applicable in conjunction with
- High-Level notes
Unless otherwise required by State law.
Using Diagnosis Category and Repair Category Identifiers the technicians still need to make sure to provide sufficient information for claim coding in order to get reimbursed the proper amount.
In addition to the minimum requirements the burden of creating a time record for each repair order line item is reduced for flat rate only repair orders by introducing a one on/off punch policy.
After a successful pilot in 2019 the above Warranty Simplification measures are rolled out to all centers across the US.
CAUSE
Some covered repairs require diagnosis work time (WT) procedures.
CORRECTION
Explain and submit for the diagnosis work time FRU amount to be claimed as described in the PROCEDURE section.
PROCEDURE
Diagnosis Work Time Flat Rate Concept
Centers that did not opt-out to this fixed diagnosis work time FRU allowance for each qualifying RO line item, please refer to SI B01 07 20 for the applicable details.
Standard Variable Diagnosis Work Time Guidelines
The following applies to centers that opted out of the Diagnosis Work Time Flat Rate Concept
program.
For each repair order (RO) line item with diagnosis work time (DWT) performed, in place of entering long-form comments, the technician would either just simply enter:
- The two (2) character Diagnosis Category Identifier (below); or
- High-level repair notes (only state what was checked/diagnosed/repaired/replaced).
Diagnosis Category Identifiers
For standard operation vehicle test and charge battery
| Diagnosis Category | DCI Code Descriptions |
|---|---|
| D1 | Hook up battery charger, perform vehicle test, applicable fault found/not found (name component fault is pointing at), continued with (D3 - D9) |
| D2 | Hook up battery charger, perform vehicle test, applicable fault found/not found (name component fault is pointing at), found applicable SIB |
For claim-related repair order (RO) line items with one (1) to five (5) FRU of diagnosis work time.
| Diagnosis Category | DCI Code Descriptions (Updated 7/2020) |
|---|---|
| D3 | Visual diagnosis (ex: Inspected for oil leaks) |
| D4 | Mechanical diagnosis (ex: Swap ignition coils from cylinder to cylinder) |
| D5 | Perform test plan after vehicle test |
| D6 | Electrical diagnosis (ex: checking resistance in wires) |
| D7 | Noise complaint diagnosis |
| D8 | Drivability complaint diagnosis |
| D9 | Remove/Install component (named component) as part of diagnosis (New) |
Repair Flat Rate Guidelines and Repair Category Identifiers
Again, in place of entering long-form comments, the following list Repair Category Identifiers (one or more) can be used to document a repair. These codes can be used regardless of the amount of time (FRU) an established flat rate operation allows.
The codes listed below include all necessary steps as outlined by the associated repair instruction and/or applicable flat rate description/inclusive positions in AIR.
When using the RCI codes to document consequential repair work, the repair comments need to state the reason why the additional repair work and/or component replacement was needed.
Repair Categories Identifiers
| Repair Category | RCI Code Descriptions |
|---|---|
| R1 | Completed eligible Maintenance Program service task (named services) |
| R2 | Replaced defective part (named component) |
| R3 | Reference the SIB number and the work package (Pkg) number performed (For example: R3 B00 00 20 WP 1) |
| R5 | Program and encode the vehicle's control units (standalone or with part replacement) |
| R6 | Additional programming after first failed programming session |
| R7 | Additional programming after second failed programming session |
| R8 | Confirmed effectiveness of the repair |
| R0 | No Problem Found (NPF) |
New Technician Documentation Minimum Requirements (Updated 7/2020)
| Work Performed | Documentation requirements | Recommended Support Level |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle test, charging battery faults found/not found. SIB found/Not found, no diagnosis time | D1 or D2 Diagnosis categories | Technician performs own course of diagnosis based on experience level |
| Diagnosis time up to 5 FRU (excluding vehicle test/charging battery and other applicable flat rate operations) | D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9 Diagnosis categories | Technician performs own course of diagnosis based on experience level |
| Diagnosis between 6 and 10 FRU (excluding vehicle test/charging battery and other applicable flat rate operations) | High Level repair notes | Technician performs own course of diagnosis based on experience level |
| Diagnosis between 11 FRU but less than or equal to 20 FRU (excluding vehicle test/charging battery and other applicable flat rate operations) | High Level repair notes | Shop Foreman involved with repair and offers support/guidance |
| Diagnosis equals or exceeds 21 FRU (excluding vehicle test/charging battery and other applicable flat rate operations) | Detailed notes are not required - simply reference TSARA case, if available | TSARA and/or TSE intervention recommended |
| Maintenance service(s) | R1 Repair category | Technician performs maintenance service(s) |
| Recall and Service Action | R3 Repair category | Technician performs repair(s) based on a Service Information Bulletin |
| Repairs - vehicle | R2, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R0 Repair categories | Repair instructions |
For examples of notes and coding, please see the attachment.
Recording of Flat Rate Times - New One Punch Policy
Only one on/off punch is required per repair order if there isn't any work time, i.e. diagnosis, removing broken bolts, during the repair visit.
This includes:
- Maintenance, recalls/service actions and/or warranty, CPO or EVP repairs.
- Consequential damage if documented in the technician notes.
- Add-on repairs if documented in the technician notes and approved before the repair is carried out.
If work time is required, it needs to be:
- Identified with a separate, identifiable and clearly labeled punch times for each repair occurrence.
- All work time must be clearly explained on the repair order and in the "comments" section of the claim
- Valid documentation that supports the time claimed must be maintained.
PARTS INFORMATION
When applicable to the repair being performed, obtain and confirm the part numbers for your specific vehicle by entering the chassis number in either ETK or AIR which takes into account specific equipment and/or options.
| Part Number | Description | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Refer to ETK | Refer to ETK | As needed |
Additionally, other small parts that are not specified above, such as one-time screws, nuts and seals, which must be replaced according to the ISTA repair instructions/ETK, must be selected from the Electronic Parts Catalogue according to the respective vehicle type and invoiced under the corresponding repair defect code.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Claim Comment and Coding Examples
Coding diagnostic work time
- Work time for performing ISTA diagnosis test plans and/or system function checks should be claimed using corresponding diagnosis code that best applies. For example, either 6100006, 1137000, 1300002, 2400010 or 6210000, etc.
- Work time for performing non-ISTA related diagnosis should be claimed using troubleshooting flat rate labor operations like the following that best applies, for example, 1200009, 3234000, 3611100, 6100009, 5100001, etc., and Main Group specific xx99000 or 0012351 flat rate operation codes.
- Claiming work times when both with and without ISTA diagnosis test plan diagnosis applies should be claimed using the work time labor codes identified above that apply.
Coding Work/job procedure time when a defined flat rate labor operation code is not available
- Work time needed to perform either full or partial associated (non-diagnosis) repair procedures that are not identified with a flat rate labor operation, description/repair instruction, specified FRU allowance in AIR. For example, extracting broken bolts needs to be claimed using the Main Group specific xx99000 flat rate labor operation code.
Please refer to AIR for all the available work time labor operation codes.
Claim coding with the Diagnosis Categories
Below is an example of normal Technician comment:
Before: Connected the battery charger, conducted short test. Fault present for passenger restraint system, passenger side airbag. Test plan indicates improper resistance measurement for passenger airbag. Gained access to ACSM module and inspected wiring from ACSM module connector A11*1B to gas generator for front passenger side airbag connector z1281B. No faults present. Removed passenger seat and inspected wiring from connector X12*1B to connector B69*1B. Discovered improper ohms measurement within passenger side airbag harness. Side airbag replacement required. Completed replacement of the passenger seat side airbag, reinstalled passenger seat, cleared fault memory and verified repair. No Faults present. New airbag serial number 18B0250A5594
With these Diagnosis categories the Technician comment from above would now look as follows:
Using DCI + RCI: D1. Fault for passenger side airbag. D5. Improper resistance in wiring of side airbag. R2 passenger side bag.
With these Diagnosis categories were able to shorten the Techs comments from 8 lines to just 1 line.
Example of how this would be coded for claim payment:
| Labor Op # | Description | FRU Value |
|---|---|---|
| 00 00 006 | Performing vehicle test | 4 |
| Or: | ||
| 00 00 556 | Performing vehicle test (Plus work) | 2 |
| 61 21 525 | Charging battery | 1 |
| 61 00 009 | Troubleshooting in the electrical/electronic system | 4 |
| 72 12 503 | Removing and installing or replacing passenger airbag module | 42 |
Claim coding with Diagnosis Categories/High Level repair notes
What are high level technician notes?
Technicians are really good at writing down every step they take during diagnosis but rarely does Warranty need that kind of detail for claim payment. We really only need the main things the Technician did.
Example detailed Technician repair notes:
Before: HOOKED UP BATTERY CHARGER PERFORMED SHORT TEST FOUND FAULTS FOR RAIL PRESSURE MONITORING. FC 249300. RAN TEST PLAN. CHECK WIRES GOING TO AND FROM INJECTORS. REMOVED SPARK PLUGS AND INSPECTED. REMOVED QUANTITY CONTROL VALVE TO INSPECT AND FOUND NO METAL SHAVINGS. HIGH PRESSSURE PUMP REQUIRES REPLACMENT. REMOVED CLYINDER HEAD COVER. REMOVED IGNITION COILS. DISCONNECTED PRESSURE LINE AND FUEL SUPPLY LINE. REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. WENT FOR TESTDRIVE. ALL OK
Same Technician notes rewritten with Diagnosis categories and high level notes:
Using DCI + RCI: D1 Found FC 249300. D5*. Checked injector wires, spark plugs and quantity control for possible metal shavings. No defect found. R2 high pressure pump.
*At D5 the technician reached the 5 FRU limit on diagnosis so he must now write high level notes instead of using D4 to explain the mechanical diagnosis.
How this statement would look coded in the DMS:
| Labor Op # | Description | FRU Value |
|---|---|---|
| 00 00 006 | Performing vehicle test (Main work) | 4 |
| Or: | ||
| 00 00 556 | Performing vehicle test (Plus work) | 2 |
| 61 21 525 | Charging battery | 1 |
| 61 00 006 | Vehicle Diagnosis-Carrying out the ABL (test plan) | 6 |
| 11 99 000 | Job time without allowance/Engine | 8 |
| 13 51 517 | Replacing high pressure pump | 15 |
Parts of the Technician statement above and why Warranty does not need them:
CHECK WIRES GOING TO AND FROM INJECTORS
The claim specialist can infer that by just saying "Checked injector wires" that the tech is going to check all wires going to and from the injectors.
REMOVED SPARK PLUGS AND INSPECTED. REMOVED QUANTITY CONTROL VALVE TO INSPECT AND FOUND NO METAL SHAVINGS
By just saying "Checked spark plugs and Quantity control valve" the Claim Specialist knows that you need to remove these items to inspect them.
REMOVED CLYINDER HEAD COVER. REMOVED IGNITION COILS. DISCONNECTED PRESSURE LINE AND FUEL SUPPLY LINE. REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. WENT FOR TESTDRIVE. ALL OK
The Claims Specialist doesn't need written documentation of every part that was removed to replace the pump. By just stating "Replaced high pressure pump" the Claim Specialist can combine that statement with repair instructions to determine what needed to be done to replace the pump.
Supporting Materials