October 2022 - 25

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS)
Although the first implementation of a full-control electric rack and
pinion assist surfaced in 1990, this method wasn't widely adopted
until the early 2000s. Again, the reason for moving to electric assist is
because of the energy efficiency it brings to both ICE and BEVs, but
it also allows more options, especially for those offering driver assistance
features such as lane tracing/keeping assist (LTA/LKA) and
active lane change assist (LCA) (Figure 7). EPS on some vehicles will
nudge the vehicle back into the center of the lane when it determines
that the vehicle is about to drive over clearly defined lane markings.
On some SAE J3016 Level 2 vehicles, automated lane changes
can be achieved by the system. If you have driven a vehicle that can
execute such a maneuver, I suspect that you admire the technology
like I do. It's amazing to see a vehicle pull this off successfully.
SERVICE AND DIAGNOSTICS
Although these systems may appear to be complicated, with the
appropriate training, service information, and tooling, the service
professional can work through any challenges presented. The key here
in my opinion is to make sure that service personnel have an increased
situational awareness of the service requirements of vehicles equipped
with these systems (and the proper tools for the job). Services such as
brake fluid replacement and wheel alignments aren't so basic anymore,
as these systems will likely require follow-up procedures to ensure
the vehicle is operating to its full potential.
Additionally, it's important these vehicles are always operating
with a sound electrical system and that starts with the 12V battery.
Performing periodic battery inspections can go a long way toward
preventing trouble from surfacing in these advanced systems. For the
service technician tasked with performing diagnostics on any of these
systems, a highly capable scan tool is essential during interrogation.
However, you may find that certain tasks may only be available
using the OEM scan tool, and your mileage may vary. In other cases,
you'll likely need a DVOM, breakout leads, test probes, current probes,
breakout boxes, a DSO, and possibly CAN tools when you're up
against something that falls outside of the diagnostic flow chart. See
the case study featured in my article titled, " Vehicle network diagnostics:
Today and the future " at vehicleservicepros.com/21209167.
The evolution of the automobile is not slowing down, and in fact,
has accelerated quite a bit over the past five to eight years. Service professionals
that keep up with these technologies are in high demand and
will be highly valued for years to come in my professional opinion.
SCOTT BROWN is an ASE Master Certified L1
Technician and has over 37 years of professional
service industry experience. He is an independent
shop owner in Southern California and is engaged
at various levels within the industry. He has a deep
understanding of the challenges technicians experience at the service
level and is continuously striving to move the industry forward
through education and networking. Brown founded Diagnostic
Network (diag.net) after 22 years of service at iATN, where he retired
as company president in 2018.
SBrown@VehicleServicePros.com
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Connect to the
Vehicle OBDII Port
with OBDII Cable
4
Hard-wired Internet
Connection Via
Cat 5 Cable (Ethernet)
2
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VCMI is Connected
Via USB to a Tablet
5
Experts Use OEM
Hardware & Software
Connected to
a Programming
Converter Box
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www.VehicleServicePros.com OCTOBER 2022 PROFESSIONAL TOOL & EQUIPMENT NEWS 25
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October 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2022
