The role of scan tools canbe likened to the Pirates’Code, familiar to Capt.Jack Sparrow, his peersand those who watchedthe movie The Pirates of

the Caribbean. Recall this exchange:“There’s the Code to consider.” And theresponse: “The Code? You’re pirates!Hang the Code, and hang the rules!They’re more like guidelines anyway.”

For many of us, scan tools hold a cer-tain “friend or foe” mystique. They giveorder and method to how we diagnose,

service and reprogram increasinglycomplex interrelated systems to restoreour customers’ vehicles to sound oper-ating condition. But by no means arethey definitive or infallible. Under-standing and being able to fully employthe functionality available to us in mod-ern and emerging scan tools are ac-quired skills. If our knowledge andskills do not keep pace with technologi-cal change and associated scan toolfunctionality, our awareness of what weknow a tool can do or cannot do will bea two-edged profit sword.

SCAN TOOLS: SEPARATING MYTH FROM REALITY

BY BOB CHABOTConsidering the combined cost ofinitial purchase and subsequent

support, the selection of one or morefull-featured scan tools should bewell thought out. Separating fact

from fiction can guide you forward.

38 May 2014

Photoillustration: H

arold A. Perry; images: Snap-on & Thinkstock

39May 2014

My point? We hold scan tools in highesteem. We have high expectations,sometimes high hopes, of them. Welook for quick “silver bullet” solutions,often while using a less-than-optimumscan tool for a particular vehicle brand,make and model. We also realize theworld of scan tools is a blend of hypeand hope. We must be vigilant in sort-ing myths from realistic expectations.It’s the difference between a profes-sional reputation built on solid groundor upon quicksand.

Let’s consider several common be-liefs to sort fact from fiction. I’ll providemy conclusions, along with the ratio-nale. Form your own judgment as youread, and feel free to share your view-point with MOTOR on Facebook.

Diagnosis has become too difficultbecause the scan tools used to per-form diagnosis have become tooexpensive.The increased computerized electroniccomplexity built into new vehicles has

necessitated shops and technicians toacquire more sophisticated scan tools tokeep up. Then in a short time they canbecome outdated and need updating tokeep diagnostic competencies current.While this squeeze certainly puts shopsand technicians in a bind, it’s not onethat is financially insurmountable.

Consider this comment by CharlieGorman, executive manager of theEquipment and Tool Institute (ETI).“For years technicians complained thatthey couldn’t get their hands on factoryscan tools from automakers and nowthat these tools have become moreavailable, they are complaining aboutthe cost. Factory tools today can costanywhere from sub-$1000 to as muchas $15,000 or more. But compare thatto the $25,000 cost of a brand-newcomputerized tune-up machine in1985. That’s equivalent to $50,000 intoday’s money. How many scan toolsdoes that buy?” My view: Myth.

Aftermarket scan tools are compet-itive with factory tools.This really boils down to a trade-off be-tween value and cost. No doubt, newfactory scan tools provide the mostfunctionality available for a vehiclebrand. But the question that aftermar-ket scan tools deal with is how much ofthat functionality will shops and techsactually use? Some argue that vehiclescannot be repaired properly unless onepurchases the OE scan tools new-cardealers use. Yet there are many en-hanced aftermarket scan tools that doan excellent job of providing diagnos-tics for the bulk of repairs; in addition,some of these aftermarket tools are notlimited to just one brand.

“Not one aftermarket scan tool todaycan do everything for all vehicles,” sayBosch technical experts James E. Wil-son and Duane “Doc” Watson. The keyis in the mix. Purchase factory tools forthe brands a shop specializes in (if any),and then use enhanced aftermarkettools for the rest. One caveat: Makesure you know what your aftermarkettools cannot do (some functionalitymay have been given up to achieve alower price point). Have access to abackup mobile diagnostician who hasthe factory tool when needed, or be

SCAN TOOLS: SEPARATING MYTH FROM REALITY

Expect meaningful training and support from whichever scan tool suppliersyou purchase from. At the recent Mac Tools 2014 Tool Fair, scan tool trainingsessions hosted by Mac Tools’ manufacturing partners provided attendees withoperational instruction for the Mentor Touch and Mentor Scout scan tools.

40 May 2014

Photo courtesy Mac Tools

Scan tools arenot definitiveor infallible.Understandingthem and beingable to fullyemploy theirfunctionality—now and in thefuture—areacquired skills.

prepared to be honest with customersabout what your shop cannot do. Hon-esty still resonates as a reason to dobusiness with you. My view: Reality.

Automaker factory scan tools al-ways support their models.Capable shops and technicians use au-

thentic resources, whether they’re di-agnostic scan tools, service informa-tion and procedures, training and/orother resources. Consider Toyota,which has a solid reputation, particu-larly with regard to scan tools. In 2008,the OEM switched scan tool suppliersto Denso Corp., and began providing

two different levels of access to the re-sources relevant to its brands. Themost complete solution is the ToyotaInformation Systems (TIS) Tech-stream factory scan tool. The cost toan automotive professional is approxi-mately $8000, but it includes a Pana-sonic Toughbook laptop, complete di-agnostic and reprogramming function-ality, support for 1989 to all currentmodels, technical service bulletins andperiodic software updates.

A less functional and lower cost op-tion is Techstream Lite, which costs ap-proximately $1500 but requires users tosupply their own laptops. It performsOBD II diagnostics for 2006 throughcurrent models only. In addition, otherdiagnostic functionality may be limited,especially for hybrid, electric and plug-in vehicles. Aftermarket scan tools maybe even more limited. So what canhappen when a factory or aftermarketscan tool becomes obsolete?

Craig Van Batenburg, founder of theAutomotive Career Development Cen-ter, a well-known aftermarket hybrid-electric vehicle service training firm,shared an example of how tools can be-come obsolete and unsupported:

“In 2006, the Lexus RX 400h andToyota Highlander Hybrid medium-sized SUVs were introduced. Broadlybased on the Generation 1 Prius, theSUVs’ battery packs, electrical connec-tions and transmissions were commonservice items. The initial diagnosticscan tool was the Mastertech, manufac-tured by Vetronix, a toolmaker that wasacquired by the Bosch Group duringthe rollouts. Toyota then phased outsupport for the Mastertech between2007 and 2008 and moved to the TISTechstream platform developed withDenso. While the Toyota HighlanderHybrid was completely redesigned in2008 and supported by the new TISTechstream scan tool, the Lexus RX400h was not redesigned until 2010and was left unsupported.”

In addition to the Lexus RX 400hHybrid, the 2007 Camry Hybrid wasalso orphaned. Other OEM and after-market scan tool examples exist. Butfor shops and technicians to be certainof their capabilities, they must be cog-nizant of what their scan tool of choice

SCAN TOOLS: SEPARATING MYTH FROM REALITY

Scan tool data is also important when diagnosing high-voltage hybrid systems.Some automakers’ battery designs for hybrid vehicles (for example, Toyota’sNiMH battery packs) allow scan tools to capture high-voltage data (see the par-tial scan tool screen capture above). Well-trained and experienced technicianscan use this data to identify and replace individual cells and/or modules thathave deteriorated or been damaged, rather than replace an entire battery pack.

A scan tool, such as the OTC Encore, is a great place to begin a diagnosis,but it may not be able to pinpoint the actual cause of a problem.

42 May 2014

Tables courtesy Automotive Career Development Center

Photo courtesy Bosch Automotive Service Solutions

can and cannot do. And that capabilitycan change in an instant. That takesdiligence and a willingness of toolmak-er representatives to disclose. Re-member the earlier statement aboutbeing honest with customers aboutwhat you cannot do? Honesty still res-onates with shop owners and techni-cians looking for the right scan tools.I’ve been told that too often is incom-plete. My view: Myth.

Scan tools are secure, factory scantools even more so.Hardly, in either case. Although vehi-cle system attacks are not easy, letalone in the wheelhouse of all but arelatively few number of hackertypes—those with ill intentions andthose with good intentions—scantools, vehicle communication net-works and J-2534 and associated de-vices are all input/output devices thatare subject to attacks. It’s enough of aconcern that Chrysler Group, whichrequires users to purchase licenses,now also requires both dealership andindependent shop users to registerwiTECH diagnostic software and scantools to ensure authenticity when ser-vicing customers’ vehicles.

In a document exchanged with theNational Automotive Service TaskForce (NASTF), a Chrysler spokesper-son told NASTF that more than three-quarters of known bona fide users havealready registered their device, and thatlater this year, Chrysler will no longerallow unregistered users to operatetheir wiTECHs or clones of thewiTECH VCI. Seeing how someOEMs are sensitive about security-re-lated parts, expect other automakers tofollow. Whether any or all of them mi-grate security checks to NASTF’s Se-cure Data Release Model (tracked bylaw enforcement agencies) remains tobe seen, but security of diagnostic datais a serious matter, especially with theemergence of telematics and connect-ed vehicles. My view: Myth.

Scan tool marketing support andtraining are adequate.In general terms, both fall well short ofmeeting the needs of the shops andtechnicians that purchase scan tools.

Purchases are often made with unreal-istic expectations on the buyer’s part asto what a scan tool can do. That shouldbe crystal clear in the buyer’s mind be-fore purchase, and buyers should beable to get support and training to navi-gate the learning curve to become fullyproficient with any scan tool. Rather

than focus on manufacturers that fallshort, let me share a couple of exam-ples that provide both—Delphi Auto-motive and Mac Tools.

Delphi’s Scan Diagnostics and FlashReprogrammer tools operate on a PC-based platform or WiFi-ready, touch-screen tablet. The marketing informa-

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tion for both is clear, and the toolmak-er will readily discuss specific concernsyou have before purchase. Afterwards,buyers are provided a one-day scantool setup and online training day, aswell as access to Delphi live tech sup-port and service information. Softwareupdates help keep the tool from be-

coming obsolete. Delphi is also posi-tioning these tools to integrate emerg-ing telematics and connected vehicletechnologies. [Editor’s Note: Delphiwill be sharing its initiative regardingconnectivity and telematics with MOTORreaders later this year.]

At the recent Mac Tools 2014 Tool

Fair, after spending a morning review-ing new diagnostic scan tools availablefrom Launch Tech, Bosch and otherscan tool partners, I was invited to sit inon training classes hosted by the ven-dors to become familiar with the rangeof functionality offered by each newtool. After the classes, I visited the “ge-nius bar” area back on the trade showfloor, where product experts walked methrough several demonstrations of mychoosing. Attendees included tool dis-tributors and technicians, and the expe-rience left me with a very positive senseof what can be done in the way of mar-keting support and training and why itmatters. My view: Myth, with somenotable exceptions.

No single diagnostic tool is a “sil-ver bullet.”“A good quality scan tool will help thetechnician check vehicle codes anddatastreams, to identify where an issuemay be within the vehicle,” explainedDennis Hanson, OTC product managerfor Bosch Automotive Service Solu-tions. “If an engine lacks power, the is-sue may be a turbocharger, low fuelpressure or a mass airflow sensor issue.A scan tool will quickly eliminate somepotential problems by pulling anycodes, both active and stored. As carsget more complicated, there is huge po-tential for more electronic modules tobe included, along with diagnostic trou-ble codes that will provide more preciseinformation on their operation to scantools via technicians providing service.

Bob Pattengale, training manager forBosch Automotive Aftermarket Divi-sion, concurs. “For example, considerthe diagnosis of turbocharger systems.The first tool to begin with should be agood-quality scan tool. It can tell thetechnician if the turbocharger is able toreach desired performance levels. Itcan also be used to test actuators in theturbocharger system utilizing bidirec-tional controls.”

“The scan tool will help the techni-cian check vehicle codes and data -streams, and identify where an issuemay be within the vehicle,” Hanson ex-plained. “If an engine lacks power, theissue may be a turbocharger, low fuelpressure or a mass airflow sensor issue.

SCAN TOOLS: SEPARATING MYTH FROM REALITY

Other tools usedin conjunctionwith a scan toolcan complete adiagnosis and en-able a repair thatnot only resolvesthe actual causeof a problem, butalso avoids un-necessary partsreplacement. Tobetter identifypotential tur-bocharger issuespertaining to thevehicle fuel sys-tem, for exam-ple, a vacuum/pressure gauge(such as the OTCVacuum/PressureGauge at left)may help avoidan unnecessaryturbochargerreplacement.

Scan tools in the near future will evolve to integrate more cloud- and app-based delivery of information, provide shops with telematics functionalityand even serve a role in vehicle connectivity and automated driving.

44 May 2014

Photo courtesy Bosch Automotive Service Solutions

Photo courtesy Delphi A

utomotiv

A scan tool will quickly eliminate somepotential problems by pulling anycodes, both active and stored.

“But it doesn’t end there,” Hansoncontinued. “When it comes to identify-ing or diagnosing a vehicle issue, thetechnician must be proficient in prop-erly using several more complicatedtools besides a scan tool. These includea vacuum pressure tester, smoke ma-chine, lab scope and/or coolant tester.

“In some service cases, techniciansmay have to use a vacuum pressuretester to identify potential turbocharg-er issues pertaining to the vehicle fuelsystem,” Hanson noted. “By testing fuelpressure—coming up to the injectionpump as well as test low boost pres-sure (up to 10 psi) heading to the tur-bocharger—the technician will knowif a low power issue is related to thefuel system or not, which will help de-termine whether the turbocharger isactually in need of replacement. Inother cases, testing a vehicle’s coolantmay also help identify or eliminate theturbocharger as the vehicle issue. Thetechnician can test pressure on a vehi-cle’s cooling system or check for leaksthat may drop antifreeze into a tur-bocharger’s oil system. In this lattercase, the turbocharger would need re-placement.”

“Turbochargers also have manyhoses and connection points, whichneed to be checked for leaks,” Patten-gale shared. “The best tool for this pur-pose is a smoke machine, which can beused to locate leaks in the turbochargersystem. However, keep in mind thatmost smoke machines are designed toproduce less than 1 psi pressure and,under boost conditions, a turbochargercan be greater than 20 psi, such as inmany high-performance or heavy-dutyapplications. For instance, it may benecessary to conduct a high-pressuretest method similar to the General Mo-tors Charge Air Cooler Tester J 46091to locate leaks under higher pressure.”My view: Reality.

What have we learned? No scantool can fix everything…yet. Diagnos-

This article can be found online atwww.motormagazine.com.

tics can reduce labor costs, providedthe user’s skills and other necessaryresources are sound and kept current.Innovation and obsolescence will con-tinue their dance, for like all thingsautomotive, change is a certainty. Ex-pect scan tools to encompass morecloud- and app-based delivery, inte-

grated telematics and even a role inthe evolution of vehicle connectivityautomated driving—perhaps soonerthan you may think.

To parody the Pirate’s Code: “Thescan tool? You’re technicians! Hang thescan tool, and hang the rules! They’remore like guidelines anyway.”

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