PTEN_0821 - 19

S M A R T E R D I A G N O S T I C S
FCA worked with the folks behind
AutoAuth to enable a trust factor solution.
According to their website, " AutoAuth
provides a service for independent operators
to unlock vehicles to securely provide
service to their customers. New vehicles
will come enabled with the latest cyber
security features to protect vehicle owners
from cyber-attack. AutoAuth works
with independent tool vendors to ensure
the tools independent operators use to do
their jobs are AutoAuth certified tools.
This will allow independent operators to
continue to service cyber enabled vehicles.
AutoAuth provides the registration service
and 'unlock codes' to Independent
Operator's service tools to unlock vehicle
gateways to perform day to day service. "
SOFTWARE
While the generic OBD-II standard
mandates access to emissions related
informat ion and operat ions, each
OEM can implement additional layers
of data tooling that they deem necessary
for supporting their service operations.
Most of these OEMs offer scan
tool manufacturers the opportunity to
license access to these layers so that they
can be implemented accurately within
their tools. However, some may choose
to go the route of reverse engineering
during the development of their tools.
Service personnel must be aware that the
OEM does not always produce error-free
applications. In fact, I have personally
witnessed events where the OEM tool
failed to accomplish a task where an
aftermarket tool had to be used to realize
success. And of course, the inverse
has been experienced as well. As vehicles
become more and more software
defined, unfortunately, these errors are
to be expected.
DATA
Given the number of nodes on the vehicle
and the vast amounts of data available, the
diagnostic technician's knowledge and
skill set must be at the highest levels. The
modern technician must be able to interpret
service information and engineering
data when addressing vehicle faults.
Additionally, having some computer science
knowledge can be highly beneficial.
Some OEMs have incorporated service
information right within their diagnostic
scan tools through guided fault-finding
operations. Some aftermarket tools are
also offering similar operations as well
(Figure 2). Nevertheless, technicians
can benefit tremendously by staying
tuned in to emerging trends and best
practices through networking opportunities
via communities, such as the
Diagnostic Network.
In general terms, one diagnostic scan
tool is likely not going to be enough unless
you are only working on one vehicle carline.
All tools have their strengths and
weaknesses, and one must be able to recognize
them in order to succeed. With
the emergence of PC-based applications,
multiple scan tool applications installed
on a single machine may not be ideal and
for some, may be impossible. With the
growing focus on security at all levels, safe
computing assessments should be implemented.
An auxiliary vehicle power supply
should be available and used especially
when performing any programming/software
updates.
The modern automobile is one of
the most complicated devices most
humans will ever interact with, and
as the vehicle evolves into a software
defined machine, the skill set demands
of the technician will continue to evolve.
In my opinion, next generation technicians
possessing these unique skillsets
will be in high demand well into
the future.
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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PTEN_0821

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