december2021 - 82

GUE ST EDITORIA L
» Key elements to consider when selecting
a diagnostics tool include the user interface,
the makes it services, and its functionality.
Images by Cojali USA
Diagnostic tools are
a technician's sidekick
Key factors to consider when choosing the
diagnostic scan tools right for your shop.
At 10 minutes before closing time, the last
truck of the day comes in. It is from one of the
local fleets, a larger company that normally
takes its business elsewhere. You are surprised,
but you go check it out. This could be a great
opportunity to take on some of their business.
The problem turns out to be an aftertreatment
issue-on a Volvo. Your shop never works
on those because you do not have the right
tools. This was your opportunity to bring the
customer in, but you have to reply: " I'm sorry,
we don't have the tools to work on a Volvo. You
can head down to the dealer for them to check
it out. " Just like that, an opportunity is lost.
Maybe next time you will have the right tools.
Today, virtually every vehicle system is electronic
or controlled by electronics. The days
By Bruno Gattamorta
VICE PRESIDENT, COJALI USA
Cojali has been an aftermarket provider in the heavy-duty
industry for 30 years. Starting in the fan clutch business,
diagnostics soon became the company's primary
focus. With an integrated all-makes solution, Cojali has
helped shape the aftermarket diagnostics Industry. Bruno
Gattamorta is the Vice President of Cojali USA. With a
background in engineering and an MBA, he has been
catering to the aftermarket industry for the last five years,
training customers, developing products, and being a part
of this growing community.
when trucks could be fixed without computers
are gone, as are those where a shop could
survive with just two or three OEM diagnostic
platforms to repair most of the issues in the
area. The industry has changed, and mixed
fleets have increased, so why not change with
it? Maybe it is time to give this some thought.
When we look at the field of repair, there
is more and more complexity and, therefore,
more confusion, frustration, and ultimately,
many hours lost. Therefore finding an ally is
key. Looking for and finding the right diagnostics
tool is like finding a good second
chair; the Robin to your Batman. Modern
diagnostic tools cannot just be code readers
that provide a code and then let the technician
figure out the rest. The right diagnostic
tool needs to be like a second technician: the
one who looks up the operating specs, the one
who remembers the procedure for changing
an oil temperature sensor, the one who knows
where the wires connect, etc. Your tool is your
key to success.
When we look at diagnostic scan tools, there
are some key elements to focus in on; elements
that that might pass unnoticed but that can
make a big impact in the bay. When looking
at these tools, it can be easier to find the right
one by focusing on three factors.
82 Fleet Maintenance | December 2021
* For starters, look at the user interface. Using
a diagnostics tool needs to be simple, it cannot
be rocket science. The interface needs to be
clean and intuitive. It should be easy to navigate
and not take too long to learn. It should
also be consistent across the board, regardless
of the manufacturer, whether it is an engine or
a transmission, or what year it is.
* This brings us to another key factor: the scan
tool needs to be able to service all makes. Many
technicians are taught that the dealer is the
best when it comes to diagnostics, but some
all-makes tools are virtually dealer equivalent.
Today, these tools cover roughly 98% of a shop's
needs and are capable of performing advanced
actions that were previously only available at
the dealer.
* Lastly, the right scan tool needs to offer more
than just diagnostics. When we get in a jam,
we can search for the right information on the
internet, but are we looking at the right system?
How can we be sure? The internet is not always
a safe option while working on a client's truck.
Having the right information segmented by the
right vehicle in the right moment is a key factor.
It can mean the difference of knowing the specs
and getting the torques right instead of using
the " tight enough " approach we so often see.
» Today's diagnostic tools need to
function as a second technician.
A diagnostic tool
can be the Robin
to your Batman
When searching for a diagnostics tool, you
need to know it is the right one-a tool that
makes the technician better at what they do. It
is important to measure these elements, know
the ins and outs, and always have a support
team when the task becomes too difficult.
Cojali's Jaltest is designed with these factors
in mind, to help solve those issues and to never
have to turn down a job.
december2021

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