CRACKING THE EUROPEAN DATA SAFE

Motor, Dec 2003 by Seyfert, Karl

It's beyond the scope of this article to provide a point-by-point analysis of each of the European OEMs' websites. In some cases, the information is presented in a format that may be understandable to the OEM's dealer techs, but is difficult for others to decipher. Some call it a steep learning curve. Our best advice here is to investigate the sites of interest to you. Some give you the option to tour the site, or you may wish to try the one-day access option for a more in-depth examination. This should give you a better idea of whether there's enough value to be found there to warrant shelling out for an access subscription for your shop. Additional information about the OE sites (pricing, features, etc.) can be found at the NASTF website.

OEM Diagnostic Tools

A great deal of diagnostic and service information is no longer confined to the pages of a book or a website. It's embedded in the diagnostic tools we use to fix todays vehicles. A further stipulation of the EPA Final Rule is to make manufacturer-specific diagnostic tools available for sale to the aftermarket. So if you want to use the same scan tools dealer techs are using, get your checkbook ready. Unlike the information access charge guidelines, there are no restrictions on what the OEMs can charge for their manufacturer-specific tools. In most cases, you'll be asked to pay the same price the dealers pay for these tools. Since these tools were originally intended for a relatively small audience (the manufacturer's dealer network), don't expect them to be cheap.

If your shop specializes in a single make, liaving the OEM tools may be cost-effective for you. One Mercedes-Benz specialty shop surveyed for this article has purchased the factory Star diagnostic computer, which provides full vehicle data access and bidirectional functionality, plus incorporates a database of schematics and other information. Other OEM diagnostic tools, such as the BMW GT1, offer similar capabilities. Tool ordering requirements vary from one manufacturer to the next. You may be required to order tools through your nearest dealer, or through a third party supplier like SPX. Additional diagnostic tool information can be found on the NASTF website, as well as on the individual manufacturer websites.

Aftermarket Tools

The EPA Final Rule also requires the OE manufacturers to make enhanced diagnostic information available to aftermarket scan tool manufacturers. This information will allow them to construct scan tools with capabilities that are similar to those found in the OEM tools, then make them available to the aftermarket at a reasonable cost. Prior to these requirements, many aftermarket diagnostic tool manufacturers were forced to "reverse engineer" their products because all or part of the original source information was not readily available to them. The exception was tool manufacturers with a relationship with an OEM to provide manufacturer-specific diagnostic tools to its franchised dealers.

Snap-on offers Mercedes-Benz, BMW and VW/Audi cartridges for its MT2500 and MTG2500 scanners. The BMW software provides coverage for 1988-2002 models, including gasoline and diesel engines, electronic transmissions, throttle controls, air bag systems and antilock brake systems. Technicians have access to detailed engine, transmission and electronic systems codes and data, and can use Snap-on's optional Snap-Link PC interface software to send BMW vehicle data via e-mail to a Snap-on technical hotline for additional diagnostic support.