Facts and myths about the diagnostic tester

In our work, we come across different opinions about testers. Unfortunately, this information often has little to do with the truth. We decided to take a few of them and turn ourselves into the legendary MYTH BUSTERS.

TEXA Navigator diagnostic tester (A:0299244)

The newer the car, the more often a diagnostic tester is helpful, and sometimes even irreplaceable.

TRUE

More and more drivers are being installed in newer vehicles to manage individual systems, and as a result, the demand for computer diagnostics is also growing. To such an extent that we are no longer able to perform certain activities without diagnostics.

Operating the tester is difficult and requires specialized knowledge.

FALSEHOOD

Manufacturers of multi-brand testers are fighting to make the work of mechanics easier, which can be seen in the evolution of diagnostic programs towards even greater simplicity and intuitiveness. It is safe to say that multi-brand testers are much easier to use than, for example, OEM devices. The multi-brand devices themselves also have rich descriptions of the activities and tests performed. Additionally, we will find suggestions for repairs, which, combined with a rich technical bulletin, only requires us to read the instructions and follow them. Moreover, when purchasing a tester in the Autos network, the customer can count on:

• training upon release – takes place in the customer's workshop
• telephone support
• online technical support

It can be said with some humor that if a mechanic can play solitaire in Windows, he will be able to operate a diagnostic tester!

The purchase of a diagnostic tester is justified only if you have a very large fleet of vehicles.

FALSEHOOD

Using your own tester not only saves PLN 200-300 net for connecting a computer to the service center. This also often saves:

• towing costs or, if the car is able to drive, fuel saved to get to the workshop to repair us,
• driver's working time,
• the cost of parts that we are forced to buy at the service center and not, for example, from a parts distributor with our discount,
• or, above all, taking the truck out of circulation for a few hours, days or weeks, where it could make money for us.

If we add up the above points, it turns out that the purchase of a diagnostic tester is amortized within a few or a dozen or so months. And this is even with a small fleet.

Delphi diagnostic tester
(A: 461470)

I only repair mechanics myself and do not need a tester.

FALSEHOOD

In addition to the obvious benefit of locating faults thanks to diagnostics, we must know that many repair activities, including mechanical ones, require the use of a diagnostic computer, e.g.:

• replacing the clutch may require calibration,
• VGT compressor repair – also ends with calibration,
• replacing injectors with common rail - the procedure will be completed only after the injectors are classified using a tester,
• replacement of the APM, APS dehumidifier base - the procedure ends with programming new electronics,
• replacing the EBS module in the trailer - we also need to program,
• replacing brake pads in Volvo - we should also perform a reset with a tester.

In fact, this is only a small part of the entire list of processes that require use.

Using a diagnostic tester can ruin your car.

HALF TRUTH

Multi-brand devices have functions divided into safe and controller-interfering functions. The latter are available only after unlocking the so-called Expert mode. If we want to feel safe, all we need to do is... do not enter the code. The device will always inform us that a given function may introduce changes to the electronics and will require confirmation with a special code.

Pirated diagnostic testers of particular brands work the same or better than the legal Jaltest or Texa.

FALSEHOOD

First of all, counterfeit products are illegal (if you want to find out, ask the seller to include the sale of Scania, Volvo or other brand software on the invoice).

You are also exposed to the consequences of copyright infringement. There is no support for them and you will not buy a new license. All it takes is a small update of the driver software in the truck and the tester becomes useless. By using a fake, you also risk damaging the drivers. This often means that you can only repair the ECU by replacing the ECU with new software at the service center (i.e. expensive).

Jaltest PC Link diagnostic tester
(A: 0458302)
The diagnostic tester can only be used with internet.

FALSEHOOD

All available multi-brand testers that you can buy at Autos work in offline mode, however, due to e.g. very rich technical data, some of them require the Internet (e.g. KTS Bosch Truck or Jaltest ). This means that you can easily diagnose, calibrate and program devices without connecting to the network, and only when you need advice it is advisable to have the Internet.

There is no point in purchasing an update for the tester, because only the support for new vehicles is improved.

FALSEHOOD

Each new update contains several thousand technical data and hundreds of additional functions not only in the newest vehicles, but also in those that have been on our roads for years. You can definitely expect to see this in updates to older vehicles. We strongly encourage you to do so!