"I find it difficult to believe that techs can't see where this could be going"

I think you will find some techs already realise this and others either are burying their heads in the sand or are not really doing in depth diagnostics enough to know whats coming.

If you read posts in diagnostic forum all will be revealed. As for 2nd hand bits some of the units are reprogrameable or just need reconfiguring but of course you will need tool to do it.

I am not sure its deliberate on makers behalf its certainly cheaper for them to build cars like this as one unit can be built to fit lots of models and just program it at the end of production.

john

Shaun

This is my first post on here so Hi everyone.

I think the problem is not that the components need to be coded, but the lack of an aftermarket tool to do the job. If after fitting a part we could just plug in a tool and set all the required parameters then we probably wouldn't be having this conversation.
Having come from an electronics and computer back ground, the idea of configuration when fitting a new or additional component is not new to me, however its the support and back up that is different. If you buy even the cheapest of components for your PC, then it comes with a configuration and driver disc, which you simply pop into your disc drive, answer a few simple questions and away you go. If you loose the disc then the software is usually available from the manufacturers web site.
There is no reason for automotive electronics to be any different. Why cant we get a configuration disc with our new component,plug in our laptop and program?
After all can bus is also used on washing machines!

David Wagstaff

Be no need for the AA or RAC then will there.

In their letters column a VM (Dealership) has pointed out that by the releasing of technical data, this will also put the jobs of Dealerships on the line as well.......this is their case for keeping it all to themselves

So should they have apologized?

For a very long time the Independent Garage and Dealerships have worked along side each other, competing for work. The Independent may have struggled to obtain technical information and access to repair information, but in general we got by with help from "Aftermarket Companies"....... Now times are changing

Moving The Goal Posts:
Under the smoke screen of Security and Safety the VM's have now started to restrict the flow on information ie: technical data, pin numbers, activation codes, software updates, access codes etc.........so now you need dealer equipment to replace an airbag, SRS, ABS, Lighting module etc.......now the Dealers have the upper hand!!, the Independent's are frozen out

Many Aftermarket companies have now developed scanners that will let us access these systems up to dealer level........but at quite a high cost if you work on more than one vehicle type. Hopefully other Aftermarket companies will catch up with their software

The End Game:
So now the VM's releasing that Aftermarket scanners are catching up and many are emulating dealer tools.......so what next. Well it could be the end game for Independents

By making all vehicle ECU's accessible via the Internet only, linking the DLC to the VM servers , you will have to enter your dealer ID and the server will check the ECU and only then allow access for code clearing or component fitting...........thus freezing out ALL Aftermarket scanners and Independents

The VM's are creating an monopoly for the dealers, which if i am not mistaken is breaking EU trading laws..........so please "Aftermarket" do not apologize for pleading the case of R2RC unfairly.......the case for the Dealers is unlawful, after all as your magazine name states "Aftermarket", and full of ads for Aftermarket equipment and parts suppliers, without the Independents 75% will go out of business

You have nothing to apologize for...

Peter

Have a read of the article below, i know it all seems far fetched and way off in the future......but is it?

Could the VM's play a blinder by buying back franchises and employing remote diagnostics

Peter

Regards
Steve

Power to the people!!!

Paul...

I regularly talk to a dealer helpline run by the manufacturer & find them lacking in knowledge in quite a few areas, they are clued up on the latest software fix etc on the newest vehicles, but all the difficult jobs on more than 2 year old cars they don't have too much knowledge of.

Regards
Steve

I think the 'Bic Disposable', three-year, recyclable car is on the cards.

I too find that more customers are leasing.

People want hassle-free, quick-fix solutions to every challenge.

Regards,

Joe

I have heard this before, when I was at college they told me just the same (at the time taking over our family business as small independent village garage)they bluntly told me that independent garages would not survive the next 5 years, we could not hope to keep up with the technology That was 30 years ago..

The independents, will as always adapt and survive. Helped to a large extent by the high prices and poor customer service and that (some but by no means all)many main dealers offer.

Aidan

Truck sends signal to Stuttgart when service is due they notify dealer he has parts ready and contacts you with time and date minimizing downtime.

As we all know times money and what the Truck industry does today we will get tomorrow.

ps: How is it the agriculture industry gets all this stuff before cars, I looked at a new John Deere tractor yesterday not a Knob or lever to be seen every thing is computer controlled when they go wrong the farmer gets out and walks away to check his bank balance for the repair.

No more tying it up with baler twine