december2021 - 28

SCAN TOOLS
How sensors impact heavy duty scan tools
Complex electronic components, sensors, and ECUs demand
more from advanced diagnostic scan tools.
By Mindy Long
T
ruck technology is increasingly
complex, and significant
growth in component electrification,
sensors, and electronic control
units (ECUs) has made diagnostic
scan tools essential to repairing and
servicing vehicles.
" Electronic components and sensors
have seen a dramatic growth since the
1980s, when a few sensors started to be
used on the vehicles, " says Allison Whitney,
a spokesperson for Autel, a developer
of intelligent diagnostics, detection, and
analysis systems. " Today, most vehicles
have in excess of 80 sensors and a myriad
of components, including those used
in advanced driver assistance systems,
such as cameras, radar, ultrasound, and
lidar devices. "
Duane Watson, technical trainer for
Bosch Aftermarket Service Solutions, says
there has also been exponential growth
in vehicle comfort features and solutions
designed to improve fuel mileage,
such as variable flow A/C compressors
or electronically controlled radiator shutter
vents that streamline aerodynamics.
These components have added even more
electronics and sensors.
Thomas Kotenko, general manager
for NEXIQ Technologies, says the number
of electronic sensors on equipment
will continue to increase. " We've all heard
about the move to electric vehicles, " he
says, adding that vehicles are essentially
becoming moving computers.
Jason Hedman, product manager at
Noregon, a diagnostic, repair, and data
analytic solutions provider, says the
days of fixing a truck with a basic scan
tool and a wrench are gone. " There are
Photo courtesy of CanDo
so many ECUs and sensors on a truck
that a tool with guided diagnostic features
and troubleshooting assistance is now a
requirement for all shops. "
Repairing a truck today is a matter
of signals, says Bruno Gattamorta,
vice president of sales and marketing,
Cojali USA Inc., which manufacturers
the Jaltest Diagnostics tool. " If you can't
read a signal, you can't get the results. You
can't read the signal without a computer, "
he explains.
Now, a seemingly simple task, such as
an oil change, might necessitate a technician
use a scan tool with service capabilities
to connect with the vehicle and reset
the engine service light, Whitney says.
Even if a repair entails physically
wrenching on a part, more often than
not the truck's computer has to be told
that the repair has been done, followed
by clearing the corresponding code.
Plus, replacing certain parts requires
a relearn or recalibration of the part,
28 Professional Distributor I December 2021 I VehicleServicePros.com
Increased information from scan tools can
help technicians minimize the risk of making
a mistake.
which involves using a diagnostic tool,
says Victor Rivilla, marketing director for
CanDo International.
" One typical example is chasing a
misfire and finding that it is caused by a
faulty injector. In most cases, the injector
cannot simply be swapped in and the
truck driven, " Rivilla explains. " Trim file
codes need to be programmed into the
injector, which entails the use of a diagnostic
program or scan tool. "
CanDo's Pro Tab and HD Pro III cover
Classes 4 to 8 commercial vehicles and
off-highway equipment. " Engines, brakes,
transmissions, body controls, and basically
everything that has a sensor or module
can be scanned and diagnosed. Both
tools also offer full bidirectional testing of
components and special functions, such
as relearns, calibrations, and parameter
changes, " Rivilla says.
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
december2021

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