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ATTENTION!
Is your VCDS cable looking a bit worn out?
Trade in for new and GO WIRELESS!
Works on Android and Apple Mobile platforms
Leave that PC on your tool box
Older VCDS cables can be updated to the wireless HEX-NET interface.
Please ensure that your VCDS was registered before starting the trade-up to the HEX-NET!
E-Mail us with your serial number
We will check your update eligibility
$399 plus freight!
Mistakes are like snowballs. They just get bigger as you keep rolling down that hill! Here is the downward spiral.
Over the last year, some of our customer’s follow (bad) market advice and get in trouble.
In this case, Windows Automatic update was left ON! Update process prompted a re-boot while ISTA-P was still working. FAIL! The shop started ISTA-P again Friday morning, it took over four hours just to pull the VO! It ran all weekend and still failed to complete.
To be fair, Autologic is not the only one giving bad advice RE: BMW via J-2534.
Farsight is recommending a J-2534 for BMW. So is Drew Technologies, and asTech the “new guys”, are all making the same lame recommendations. I also want to put some blame on the NASTF website. ICOM ONLY!
Do you get the point?
Call us, we started doing this seventeen years ago, we have better experience than these noobs!
I spent some time yesterday with a great customer who is a shop owner in Northern Colorado. He has an i Scan II WT and our diagnostic PC.
Last year they brought in a new Euro tech from out of state.
They bought the Autologic Assist for $14K, to impress that new technician. The Assist now sells for 7K. Please think about what that lower price point means. It means that Autologic was 100% over priced for this service. How can you still value their advice?
To clarify, Assist= NO PROGRAMMING! None, Nada, Ziltch. Not without using the Drew Technologies Cardaq Plus 2 for J-2534 programming.
Land Rover/Jaguar: While using the new Assist platform they have asked Assist tech support for help using the Jaguar Land Rover SDD software to that Windows 10 tablet through the J Box. Land Rovers Min Sys Req’s recommend Windows 7 or 8.1 Pro, not WIN 10. Autologic should have said, “this will not install on the Tablet we sold you, you need Win 7 or 8 Pro, 64 bit for this.” Instead they tried to put it on the tablet and wasted some of John’s tech support credits! The shop has paid for programming access on three occasions, fail, Fail, FAIL. All three times Autologics paid tech support was not able to get that working for them, three Rovers went to the dealer. What are you all paying Autologic to do? They will Assist you in reducing the balance in your business bank account! While they were on the phone Autologic asked for more support money by mistake! Oops!
BMW: Customers are still hoping for good advice from Autologic. It’s hard to find in that recommendation to use a Cardaq Plus 2 for BMW programming. That is the wrong connector for BMW’s. It will get you through some jobs. Be careful! An ICOM has a big buffer as IP data flow interruptions will kill BMW cars while programming. A J box has no buffer and will never program anything via the MOST bus port. A J box does not have an Ethernet OUT as some BMW require. So, don’t be surprised after all that programming time wasted with a J box that the customers entertainment systems are down! Again, you are paying for bad advice from Autologic. BMW’s Min Sys Req’s include Windows 10.
VW/Audi: Min Sys Req’s include Windows 10, should install fine on that Autologic tablet. A better question is why is it smart to install ANY OE software to your scan tool? All of these installation instructions advise starting with a clean Windows install. Installing any of these to anything but a new or clean Windows is a risk that might temporarily kill the Assist PC.
Volvo: Min Sys Req’s recommend Windows 7 or 8.1 Pro, not WIN 10. Volvo best recommended practices still say this should be the ONLY thing installed to the Operating System.
Mercedes: Has just released all progamming through a J-2534 box, Min Sys Req’s recommend Windows 7 or 8.1 Pro, not WIN 10.
Porsche: Missing from the Assist
Service advisers get busy and customers like a nice waiting room until it is there turn to finish up that ticket.
Okay, we get that.
It is only an oil change! Seems like it’s reasonable to allow that as a “waiter” job, NOT! Late model Land Rovers take up to 15 minutes or miles driven before registering the service was done and reset! I bet there are others brands like that now as well.
We still get too many calls from our customers, with a customer, lounging out in the customer waiting area.
Our customer is looking for help for a programming or coding issue to be completed!
This should never happen.
Service advisers need to develop the skills needed to explain that customer into going home or at least away from the shop.
This is not fair to the mechanics or the customer. The mechanic will be motivated to quickly move through the procedure and that is not fair. The customer may get the car back quicker, today, and need to bring it back next week. That is not correct either.
These new car systems are “over the top” complicated, what with all their inter related functions, unrecognized symptoms sometimes take days to pop up!
We have been in this spot way too many times. Here’s is how it goes……
A customer calls and asks for help installing a new PCM to a car, in this case a Toyota.
We make the mistake of not asking why they think it needs a new PCM. (crank, no start)
In this case our customer bought a good used one.
We guide them through the use of his OFFLINE Toyota Techstream to write the VIN to the used computer.
IT STILL HAD AN IMMO PROBLEM!
Here is a copy and paste from the Honda website;
Important Notice Regarding Reprogramming
Do NOT program a control unit/module unless you are directed by a service procedure or an applicable Honda/Acura Service Bulletin. Control unit/module updating should only be undertaken by a skilled professional using proper equipment and procedures, or damage can occur. Updating control units/modules to the latest software not associated with a specific symptom may not resolve other specific customer concerns. Unauthorized or self-directed programming may cause unintended and irreversible effects and lead to vehicle harm and/or customer dissatisfaction.
It is across all brands! We did a rear SAM in a Mercedes a week ago. Customer thought that was why the RR brake light was out! Guess what? Replacing a SAM will not fix your burned out bulb!
Delivery Issues
Complaint
I purchased a used Ford IDS diagnostic package in Oct. of 14 for $1,400. diagnostic purposes on personal vehicle only. Dealer closeouts (******) threw in a 3 month licence. Used it twice in Oct. fine. Went to use again in March and could not get on. Called ****** ,he said I lost all IDS functions…and would have to renew expired licence(699.) NOT the purpose in buying this unit and did not tell me this when purchased. Sent back to him to download v.75.00 so I can use without a licence at his recommendation.(cost me $150.00 plus shipping) Unit returned to me on 4-2. Hooked IDS up and would not work(4-17 ). Called ****** same day and gave me a tech’s phone#. 2HRS on phone w/tech to no avail. ****** would not return my calls for over a week. Finally called him on 4-29 and wanted a refund of $1,300. He refused,saying refunds not given. I reminded him that his website states refunds are ok. Settled a day later for1,200. and he agreed to email me confirmation of agreement. Many texts later looking for confirmation and he will not do. As a result of all the time and frustration dealing w/him ,I do not trust his intentions and will not return this without confirmation. Product_Or_Service: Ford Retunda IDS tool(Show Less of Complaint)
Desired ResolutionDesiredSettlementID: Refund At this point he needs to send me settlement payment before I will send defective IDS back.
Consumer Business DialogBusiness
Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/05/12) */ Hi, I had worked out the contract issue and refund with the customer prior to receiving the complaint. Thanks Capital Acquisitions You just made a payment of $1,550.00 USD Paid to… ************* . . . Thanks for your payment ******, you just completed your payment. Your transaction ID for this payment is: *****************. We’ll send a confirmation email to ***************@hotmail.com.
Summary:
First thing that sounded funny was “Dealer closeouts (******) threw in a 3 month licence.” FORD DOES NOT & NEVER DID OFFER A THREE MONTH SUBSCRIPTION!
The offer from Dealership closeouts.com to install Ford IDS version 75 OFFLINE is what ID’s this website as FAKE!
COMPLETE MIS-REPRESENTATION! Buy from them at your own risk!
Mountain States Equipment in Longmont just spent $10,000 on a new Bosch diagnostic system!
It has been 10 years since we first heard of people making this mistake.
Here is the (mistaken) justification to buy a Bosch scan tool.
I have heard this too many times, from people who really should know better.
“Bosch designs or makes these automotive diagnostic systems, so the Bosch scanner is a good choice.”
NOT EVEN CLOSE to being correct.
Bosch makes some of the components.
They DO NOT have anything to do with the engineered systems for any brand, car, truck, bike, or boat.
Still don’t want to believe the truth?
I can put you in touch with many former Bosch-Vetronix sales reps. Call me.
They used to get a salary. Bosch laid them all off, years ago as all the KTS stuff is crap.
Diagnostic evolution’s
Recent automotive equipment discussions are leaning towards OEM solutions.
Is OEM the only future?
Not another PC!
After market tools are no longer practical?
Is it all about information?
Are they fast enough?
What is best for your shop?
What is your best scanner?
Let’s start this discussion!