What diagnostic software and equipment to independent auto repair shops use? ?

Question

Like when they hook your car up (bmw, mercedes, audi ect..) and it runs a diagnostics and tells them what the exact problem is and what should be fixed and how.

Answer 1

The BIG misconception is the diagnostics tells what exactly is wrong, it shows what system area needs to be checked further or what readings the particular sensor is seeing or reacting to . eg a cut wire will make a sensor read low or hi , ie. on a throttle position it will show no input for more fuel upon acceleration but the other sensors will try to compensate and add fuel

MAC ,Snap-on or Matco tools have scanners with the appropreat moduels

I have a Bear anylizer w/3 gas which stands about 6 ft tall and about 4ft wide about $68,000  the smaller machines will do just fine for most.

Answer 2

I had similar problems with my Pontiac Solstice and last month. Get a free auto warranty quote ans see if you can get the policy before you need to get your car repaired. http://www.autoadviceonline.com/Warranty...

Answer 3

Different shops use different equipment, there;s lots of stuff out there.

My shop uses a Genisys scan tool.  I think that cost us about $6,000 plus the cost of annual updates, accessories, etc.

We subscribe to the Identifix service which costs $1,000 annually.

Mitchell is our order management and OEM data resource.  I think we pay something like $150/month for that.  

Our smoke machine cost about $1,000

Then there are other miscellaneous items.  

Answer 4

Think of diagnosis as a road map. The scanner tell the tech which state the problem is in by the means of a code. The code is what take the technician to a general area as in EGR malfunction. The tech uses his talent and skills to determine the nature of the failure by running a series of tests called trouble shooting. This takes him to the right city, now he has to find the address. Simply because the scanner said EGR malfunction, this does not mean replace the EGR. A loose vacuum line to the EGR could have set this code or a carbon chip on the pintle and seat or a blocked port. The scanner only guides you to the right direction. That's when a good tech takes over.  

Answer 5

its called MODIS. but it does not tell the tech the exact fault it just points them in the right direction