Naturally, your choice of diagnostics equipment varies according to your workshop needs
Diagnostics: Keeping ahead
DIAGNOSTICS
While future-proofing your digital diagnostic investment is challenging in these changeable times, Rob Marshall looks into the latest news and several examples that can give you peace of mind for at least several years
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As the saying goes, time is money. Therefore, while technicians have to be wary of not relying excessively on fault codes alone, having access to the latest systems is invaluable to gathering more detailed information. However, EOBD-based diagnostics is under threat. Launch Tech UK explains that the leading recent development has been the regulation surrounding type approval to ensure continued access to information via the EOBD port by the independent aftermarket. Other changes include the use of EOBD in the enforcement of emissions regulations, and the future possibility of extending its regulatory use in identifying faults during MOT testing.
Yet, as long-standing technicians especially will attest, repairing a modern vehicle can involve interrogating, configurating, or even reflashing an ECU just as much as using traditional hand tools. Launch Tech UK admits that, overall, vehicle manufacturers do not make it straightforward to access their software, deeming everything significant as being 'security related'. Due to recent concerns about ‘vehicle hacking’, manufacturers led by FCA, (Fiat, Chrysler Automobiles, which is now part of Stellantis, since the PSA merger) have introduced Secure Vehicle Gateways. This means that diagnostic tool manufacturers have to gain approval from the carmaker for their scan tools and the operator has to purchase a licence to access the gateway. Understandably, this involves passing costs to the garage, which in turn, has to invoice customers more. Justifying the outlay While effective, clear and efficient diagnostics is essential to avoid wasting time unnecessarily, technicians require support to use the equipment to its maximum potential. All garages that wish to remain current will have to look at making a capital investment at some point. Sealey reasons that the exact sum varies between garage needs but a typical budget of between
