In less than 10 years, the methods used by technicians to diagnose and repair cars have changed dramatically. The advent of on-board computers has brought about the need for new technology to help technicians repair cars. Scan tools are one of the greatest weapons in a technician's arsenal of repair.

But how do you choose a scan tool that is right for your business? In the coming year, ASA members will be reviewing the scan tools they use in the Division Dispatch newsletter published monthly by ASA's Mechanical Division. We begin this series in AutoInc. by looking at what a scan tool should be able to do and what is coming in the future. Next August, we'll wrap things up with an overview of all the tools we've reviewed and guidelines on choosing the tools that are right for you.

At the Factory

Gerry Beronja, Snap-on diagnostics marketing manager, breaks down scan tools into three categories:

• Generic OBD-II scan tools function with all 1996 and newer vehicles and monitor all information required by the legislation for emissions control devices.
• Enhanced tools cover proprietary OEM systems, codes, data and tests for multiple manufacturers, have hundreds of thousands of users, and cover many domestic, Asian and European vehicles.
• Factory tools cover most systems, codes and data for only one make or manufacturer and for limited year ranges. These are the tools that usually add the feature of reprogramming the control units with the latest software.

There are several things you should evaluate when investigating tools in any of these categories. Bill Miller, president of AutoXray, suggests there are four features that are most important in a scan tool:

• Ease of use: How ergonomic is the tool? How large is its display panel? Does it have contrast control?
• Internet compatibility: Allowing the technician to download charts and graphs for clients, making them more efficient and effective.
• The tool should cover a wide range of protocols and vehicles, allowing the technician more capability and flexibility to manage the diagnostic process.
• The tool should be Controller Area Network (CAN) compliant.

"CAN is a new feature that is gaining importance," Miller said. "CAN is a new way to communicate with the onboard network of the car mandated by the California Air Resources Board."

"Since all vehicles will be using the CAN protocol by 2008, technicians need to ensure the tool they select is CAN-compliant," said Beronja. "Of course, the real challenge is in finding the vehicle coverage (makes, models and year ranges) and depth of coverage (number of vehicle systems, codes, data parameters and functional tests) that will meet most of their needs, as no tool covers 100 percent for all makes."

Denny Kahler, AAM, owner of Kahler's Werkstatt in Dublin, Calif., suggests a good tool should be intuitive.

"A good technician can pick up one of the better pieces, plug it in and just start going," he said. "There's enough intuitiveness that after playing with it for eight hours, he can pretty much work without a manual."

In Your Shop

So, you know the basic differences between types of scan tools. But which one is right for your shop? There are several ways to evaluate tools to determine which one will work best for you.

Using the tool in your shop, said John Francis, AAM, owner of Francis Automotive Service in West Chester, Pa., is one of the best ways of finding out what it can do.

"Most tool representatives will let you use a tool to play with for a while," he said. "You can create codes in a car and then see how the tool reads it. When it doesn't do something, 99 percent of the time it's not the tool, it's the software, and the service information agreement should take care of that."

The service information agreement between ASA, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, called for manufacturers' service information to be available to independent technicians by Aug. 31 of this year.

In addition to creating codes to read, Miller suggests putting the tool through its OBD-II paces.

"You should scan a Saturn Ion, a Ford F-150, a GM Suburban, a new Volkswagen and a Nissan or Chrysler," he said. "This is putting it through its paces by testing its different protocols. You should see protocol ISO 15765 for the Saturn, PWM for Ford, VPW for GM vehicles, ISO 14230 for Volkswagens and ISO 9141 for Nissan or Chrysler. For OBD-II purposes, the tool is required to select those five protocols, but a lot of tools on the market today communicate only with a few of those."

All tools will soon be required to test for all five of these protocols as part of CAN compliance.

"If you're buying an aftermarket tool, you're really going to have to compare all the available ones to determine which one is best for you, and you can do that at CARS (Congress of Automotive Repair and Service)," said Kahler. "CARS is the largest single gathering of the scan tool manufacturers. Other than that, contact tool dealers, surf the Web, and do some research on tech Web sites like www.iATN.net."

Francis also recommends resources like iATN, where technicians can consult with other technicians familiar with many tools.

"You're going to want to get advice from people who own that particular tool and learn what it does and doesn't do," Francis said. "Sometimes you get a tool that just gives you a code number but not what it means. It would be a lot nicer if you didn't have to go look it up."

Most important, said Kahler, is the timing of your purchase.

"Watch what the trade publications say about when new tools come out," he said. "You want to be on the leading edge, not the trailing edge."

On the Horizon

The latest scan tools present all sorts of new capabilities. For example, the Snap-on MTG2500 Color Graphing Scanner has the ability to graph multiple parameters on the screen at one time, said Beronja.

"New patent-pending technology from Snap-on allows technicians to trigger (or pause the graphing of live data) based on criteria the technicians can select, such as watching for a drop in voltage, rpm, speed or other value on any of the hundreds of possible data parameters," he said.

Another system from Snap-on, MODIS, gives some insight into what the future holds for scan tools: a Windows-based device that can be a part of a wireless network.

"The on-board diagnostic (OBD) capabilities of the scan tool are now being combined with powerful multiple-channel lab scopes, expert information that guides technicians through component tests, codes-based repairs and symptom-based diagnosis, and five-gas analysis in handheld devices such as the MODIS system," he said.

Miller said AutoXray is moving in a different direction.

"I see technicians wanting purpose-built tools," he said. "There's been a trend in the industry to include everything in one tool - multimeters and scopes and so forth. The feedback we're getting is that technicians want to see tools that are built for a purpose: scan tools and scopes and voltmeters. It's handy to be able to look at multiple tools at one time to make sure everything agrees."

AutoXray is also meeting the challenge of keeping tools current through free software updates.

"It's extremely important to buy a tool that can be updated. In our new line of Easy Scan tools, we include our Easy Updater software package in each tool. It allows the user to get the latest software update over the Internet for free."

AutoXray also produces PC software that performs graphing and data manipulation for the technician.

For more in-depth information on scan tools, be sure to watch coming issues of Division Dispatch. The Division Dispatch can be also accessed online at www.asashop.org. If you would like to be a contributor, please contact the ASA Mechanical Division at (800) 272-7467, ext. 224.

RATE THIS ARTICLE What do you think of this article? Your input will help AutoInc. develop additional articles on this subject. Share your thoughts! Your name Your e-mail address

MOST ACCESSED ARTICLES Fuel Injection Service, Not Just Cleaning The Art of Extraction EGR Systems: Operation and Diagnosis Proactive Target Marketing:_Rethinking Your Business Strategy Engine Performance: HO2S Diagnostics MOST E-MAILED ARTICLES Developing Employee Potential How Critical Thinking Can Help Your Business How to Diagnose the Ford Glow Plug What to Look for When Shopping for the Right Shop Management Software Putting a Price Tag on Complaints

AutoInc. Web Site | ASA Web Site | District of Columbia Offers Crash Parts Proposal | Scan Tools: Issues and Answers | Understanding the Common Difficulties of Feeding in MIG Welding Aluminum | It's a New Season at the Ballpark | Guest Editorial | Tech to Tech | Tech Tips | Net Worth | Stat Corner | Chairman's Message