Diagnostics, Calibration & Inspection in Houston
Check engine light on? Airbag light stuck after a wreck? Lane assist acting up after a repair? Astro Collision has specialty scan tools to diagnose and program your vehicle's computer systems, plus ADAS calibration, pre-inspections and appraisals.
Tell Us What's Going On
A warning light, a sensor fault after a repair, or a car you want inspected or appraised. Send the details and a service advisor will reach out shortly.
Book Your Service
Tell us the service and the vehicle. Open 24 hours, night drop available.
Warning lights on the dash? Text a photo to (832) 883-8120 after you send this.
Request Received!
We have your message and a service advisor will be in touch shortly. We're here 24 hours a day.
What Does Your Car Need?
Pick the one that sounds like your situation. Each has its own section below.
Check Engine Diagnostic
A warning light is on and you want to know why, and what it will take to fix.
Read the codes ↓Calibrations
The cameras, radar and sensors behind your safety features, set right after glass, bumper, alignment or tire work.
See the sensor map ↓Programming
Computer modules programmed, crash codes cleared and airbag modules reset or reprogrammed after a repair or a wreck.
Program & reset ↓Pre-Purchase Inspections
Know a used car's real condition, past wrecks included, before you hand over the money.
See what we check ↓Vehicle Appraisal Service
Know what your car is really worth before you sell it, settle a total loss or file a diminished value claim.
Get a number ↓
Check Engine Diagnostic
A check engine light means one of your car's computers has logged a fault. It could be a loose gas cap, or the start of a repair that gets expensive if it waits. We connect our specialty scan tools, read the codes and the live data behind them, and track the fault to its cause instead of guessing.
- Scan. Read the stored and pending codes, from the engine computer and the other modules on the car.
- Diagnose. Test the part or circuit the code points to, so you replace what's actually broken.
- Explain. You get what we found and your repair options, and you decide before any repair starts.
- Fix & clear. Repair the cause, clear the codes, and make sure the light stays off.
Common codes we see
Check Engine- P0455Evaporative system, large leakOften a loose or worn gas cap. Sometimes a cracked hose.
- P0420Catalyst efficiency below thresholdThe catalytic converter or an oxygen sensor reading.
- P0300Random or multiple cylinder misfireSpark plugs, coils, fuel delivery or a vacuum leak.
- P0171System too lean, bank 1Too much air or too little fuel: vacuum leak, MAF sensor, fuel pressure.
Standard OBD-II codes, shown as examples. Your scan shows your car's own codes.
Light Flashing?
A flashing check engine light usually means a severe misfire, which can overheat and damage the catalytic converter. Ease off, avoid driving it, and call (832) 883-8120.
Can't drive it in? 24/7 towing is available.
Calibrations
Make sure your car sees straight. Lane keeping, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise and blind-spot monitoring rely on cameras and radar aimed to within a fraction of a degree. Move one, even slightly, in a repair or a fender bender, and the feature can react late, early, or not at all. ADAS calibration aims each sensor back to where your car's system expects it, and the sensors behind stability control and tire pressure get reset and relearned too. Find the sensor on the map.
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Forward Radar
PowersAdaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
Calibrate afterFront bumper or grille repair, a front-end collision, or a radar sensor or bracket replaced.
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Windshield Camera
PowersLane keeping, lane departure warning and automatic high beams.
Calibrate afterA windshield replacement, the camera removed or replaced, or alignment and suspension work. Windshield replacement
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Blind-Spot Radar
PowersBlind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
Calibrate afterRear bumper or quarter panel repair, or a rear-end collision.
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Parking Sensors
PowersFront and rear park assist, the beeping that tells you how close you are.
Check afterA bumper repaired or repainted, or a sensor replaced.
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Surround-View & Backup Cameras
PowersThe 360° top-down view and the backup camera.
Calibrate afterA mirror replaced, or tailgate, trunk or bumper repair.
More Calibrations We Handle
Steering Angle Sensor Reset
After an alignment, steering or suspension work, the steering angle sensor is reset so stability control knows the wheel is straight.
Tire Pressure Sensor Relearn
New tires, rotated wheels or new sensors: the tire pressure monitoring system is relearned so it reads the right tire and the light goes off.
Not sure your car needs it? Call (832) 883-8120 with the vehicle and what was repaired.
Programming
Today's cars run on dozens of computers, called modules, and many of them have to be programmed or reprogrammed after a repair, a part replacement or a wreck. With specialty scan tools, we diagnose and program vehicle computer systems so everything on the car talks to each other again and the warning lights go out for the right reason.
Module Programming
A replacement computer module often has to be programmed and set up for your vehicle before it will work. We program and configure it in the shop.
- After a wreck
Crash Code Clearing
After a collision, modules store crash data and hard codes that a basic code reader can't clear. We read them, repair what caused them, and clear them.
- After a wreck
Airbag Module Reset & Reprogramming
A crash can lock the airbag (SRS) module with crash data and leave the airbag light on. We reset or reprogram the airbag module as part of putting the restraint system back in working order.
Key Programming
Lost a key or need a spare? Key programming is part of what we do.
Airbag light on? Get it checked. While the airbag system has a fault, the airbags may not deploy in a crash.
Call (832) 883-8120Pre-Purchase Inspections
Before you buy a used car, know what's really wrong with it. A body shop sees what a test drive misses: past collision repairs, panel and frame damage, repaint work and stored fault codes.
Clean Title Doesn't Mean Clean Car
Not every wreck makes it onto a vehicle history report. We put the car on the lift, look it over panel by panel, and scan its computers, then tell you plainly what we found before you buy.
What we check- Body & paint. Panel gaps, repainted panels and signs of past collision repair.
- Frame & underbody. Frame and structural damage, rust, leaks and flood signs.
- Computer scan. Stored codes, warning lights, airbag and driver-assist faults.
- Tires, brakes & suspension. Wear, damage and alignment problems.
Vehicle Appraisal Service
Selling a car, settling with an insurance company, or arguing over what a wreck cost you? Know what the car is really worth. We do auto appraisals, and we look at the car the way a body shop does: condition, past repairs and damage included.
- Free evaluation
Diminished Value
A wreck can take value off your car even after it's repaired. Diminished value evaluations are free, and we'll walk you through the claim.
Total Loss Offer Seems Low
A second look at what your car was worth before the wreck, before you accept the insurance company's number.
Buying or Selling
Know the condition and value before you agree on a price.
Claim & Repair Disputes
When the insurance estimate misses damage, we write the supplement.
Need a number? Send the form with your vehicle and what the appraisal is for, or call and we'll walk you through it.
Ask about an appraisal →A Repair Isn't Finished Until It's Scanned
After a collision, the damage you can see is only half the job. Modules store crash codes, the airbag module can lock up, and cameras and radar get knocked out of aim. We scan the car, clear the crash codes, reset or reprogram the airbag module and calibrate the sensors in the same shop, on the same claim, and on insurance claims we pay your deductible.
- Collision repairBodywork, paint and insurance claims A-Z.
- File a claimJust had a wreck? We handle the claim from start to finish.
- Windshield replacementNew windshield, then the camera behind it gets calibrated.
- Suspension & alignmentAlignment work, then steering angle and camera checks.
We Pay Your Deductible
When your diagnostics, calibration or airbag work is part of a collision repair on an insurance claim, we handle the claim from estimate to invoice, and we pay your deductible.
Call (832) 883-8120 Open 24 hours. Night drop available.Diagnostics, Calibration & Inspection: FAQ
Can I keep driving with my check engine light on?
If the light is steady, it's usually okay to drive it to the shop soon, but don't ignore it. A small fault can turn into a bigger repair. If the light is flashing, that usually means a severe misfire that can damage the catalytic converter. Avoid driving it and call (832) 883-8120. 24/7 towing is available.
The parts store reads codes for free. Why get a diagnostic?
A basic code reader tells you a code, not the cause. One code can have several causes, and some faults are stored in modules a basic reader can't see. Our specialty scan tools read the codes and the live data behind them, so we fix the cause instead of guessing.
Will clearing the code fix the problem?
No. Clearing a code only turns the light off until the fault comes back. We find and repair the cause, then clear the codes and make sure the light stays off.
Can you clear crash codes after an accident?
Yes. After a collision, modules can store crash data and hard codes that a basic code reader can't clear. We have specialty scan tools to read them, repair what caused them, and clear them.
Can you reset or reprogram an airbag module?
Yes. We reset and reprogram airbag (SRS) modules after a crash, as part of putting the restraint system back in working order. If your airbag light is on, have it checked. While the system has a fault, the airbags may not deploy in a crash.
What is a vehicle calibration?
Many of your car's computers and sensors have to be reset, programmed or relearned after a repair, like a replaced module, an alignment, or new tires or tire sensors. A calibration sets them back to what the car expects, so warning lights, stability control and other systems work the way they should.
What is ADAS calibration?
ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: lane keeping, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring and similar features. They rely on cameras and radar that have to be aimed precisely. Calibration re-aims those sensors so the features work as designed.
When does my car need ADAS calibration?
Usually after a windshield replacement, front or rear bumper repair, a collision, an alignment or suspension work, or when a camera or sensor is replaced. A driver-assist warning light, or a feature acting strangely, is another sign. Not sure? Call (832) 883-8120 and tell us the vehicle and what was done.
Does insurance cover ADAS calibration?
When the calibration is needed because of a covered repair, like a windshield replacement or a collision repair, it usually goes on the same claim, depending on your policy. We handle the claim for you, and on insurance claims we pay your deductible.
What does a pre-purchase inspection check?
Body and paint, signs of past collision repair, the frame and underbody, suspension, tires and brakes, leaks and flood signs, plus a computer scan for stored codes, warning lights and airbag or driver-assist faults. We tell you what we found before you buy.
Can you appraise my car for a total loss or diminished value claim?
Yes. We do auto appraisals, and diminished value evaluations are free. If your insurance offer seems low, or your car lost value after a wreck, call (832) 883-8120 or fill out the form and we'll walk you through it.
How much do diagnostics, calibration or an inspection cost?
It depends on the vehicle and the service. Call (832) 883-8120 or send the form with your vehicle and what you need, and we'll tell you before any work starts. Financing is available, and on insurance claims we pay your deductible.
Where are you located and when are you open?
9590 FM 1960 W, Houston, TX 77070. We're open 24 hours, with night drop available.
Everything Your Car Needs
Collision Repair
Collision, flood and vandalism repair, impound assistance, insurance claims A-Z. We pay your deductible.
View Collision Repair →Auto Glass & Sunroof Repair
Windshields, windows, back glass and sunroofs, repaired or replaced and handled on your claim.
View Auto Glass Repair →Suspension Repair
Struts, shocks, ball joints, sway bars, airbag suspension, wheel and tire services.
View Suspension Repair →More From Our Shop
Get the Light Off. Get It Right.
Tell us what the car is doing, or what you need checked. We'll get back to you with the next step and help with the claim if there is one.
Book Your Service
Night drop available. Financing available. Lifetime warranty on our work.
Warning lights on the dash? Text a photo to (832) 883-8120 after you send this.
Request Received!
We have your message and a service advisor will be in touch shortly. We're here 24 hours a day.