For diagnostics cars at the station or in a private garage using special electronic reader devices. Most versatile, affordable diagnostic device is a scanner.
In conjunction with the computer, a laptop or a smartphone it allows to investigate the current status of vehicle systems which identify the source of failure, adjust program settings ECU unit.
Modern scanner communicates with external devices via Bluetooth. He adapts the digital value information stored in the control unit, to a form readable by a computer or other device. It is connected to the connector located near the steering column.
On information visualization device (laptop, smartphone, PC) to install special software that comes bundled with the scanner in the disc medium. In addition, software in excess of the Internet.
The most important and popular features using the scanner are:
- Reading the identification parameters - VIN-code stitched into the computer at the factory. This allows you to compare it with the code marked on the back of a car, is registered in the passport of a vehicle.
- Reading error codes with the computer. When common diagnosis is not always easy to identify hidden problems. The computer memory stores information about the parameters measured by the sensors, with the fixation of deviations from the nominal values in the form of error codes.
- Determination of the program version installed in the control unit automaker or changed during operation.
- Cleaning the computer memory of the fixed bugs. Removing labels Check Engine, warning the driver to check the engine.
- Ability to assume digital characteristics of individual units making so-called picture parameters. Determine the root cause of the error.
- Reading the current parameters. This system allows the expert diagnostician in real time to read the information derived from the ECU for their particular analysis. Thanks to this feature, the expert is able to perform the monitoring operation of vehicle systems, even if the computer does not have at the root cause of the outage and has not generated the corresponding codes breakages.
- Ability to control individual vehicle devices diagnostician master feed scanner through the diagnostic commands to the control unit. Thus the integrity of the chain, operability of actuators.
- Changing parameters in the firmware of the control unit for the purpose of tuning the engine: the improvement in injectivity, increasing efficiency.
- Installing a later version of the manufacturer in the computer.
- Synchronization of the protective device with the engine control.
Software for vehicle diagnostics using the scanner is constantly being improved, providing new opportunities.