Tech Hub

TECH HUB CATEGORIES

Delphi Technologies BlueTech Diagnostics DS180/480

Delphi Technologies has developed its latest diagnostic tool, the BlueTech VCI, to enable independent workshops to tackle maintenance and repair tasks that would otherwise be passed on to a dealer or diagnostic specialist – featuring integrated DoIP, security gateway, ADAS calibration, and Passthru support.

The DS180/480 (without/with a tablet) also provides support with trouble codes with its DTC Assist – guiding technicians though fault-finding procedures thanks to a database of thousands of real-life workshop repairs and displays expected live data values on screen so you know what to test and what results to expect. It gives the probable causes of over 1,700 fault codes across many marques.

The hardware on existing DS tools provides DoIP via an external adaptor, with the DS180 it is integrated, a third CAN channel has been added and this device is remote diagnostic compatible. A flight recorder enables you to perform a one-man road test; by selecting your parameters and hitting ‘Record’ you can review the data when back in the workshop.

One of the biggest USPs of the DS180 is the integrated security gateway access. Since 2018, Fiat began producing vehicles with a new Secure Gateway Module, removing direct scan tool access from the OBD-II connector for any of the networked modules not related to OBD-II emissions, restricting maintenance and repair functions. Upon clearance with the VM, normal duties can resume, such as clearing fault codes and resetting service information, component activation and programming adaptations. Workshops must sign up with each manufacturer and pay each of them, each time access is required.

With the BlueTech VCI, Delphi plays the middleman – by purchasing a one, two or three-year license, authorisation is automatic, and you can open up as many gateways as you like within the Delphi subscription. Delphi’s Technical Services Manager, Phil Mitchell, told autotechnician: “It’s going to make life easier on so many levels. Technicians aren’t going to have to claim back any receipt claims (Phil has spoken to many technicians who are using their own money to fund gateway access as it’s too laborious to claim the odd few euros back each time), and you’re not going to end up running down a rabbit hole with a fault code…”

“Here’s the odd thing about fault codes, you plug it in and get a Cam sensor, you click ‘erase,’ and it won’t erase, and you don’t get an error. I said to our engineering team, surely, we can give an error message saying, ‘Software gateway locked vehicle, cannot erase.’ They said, here’s the weird thing, when you go to erase an error, if the car’s got a security gateway you get the same message back from the ECU as if it’s a permanent error. The ECU doesn’t know the difference, so the error message you get back from the diagnostic will just say I can’t clear the code, we can’t display anything as we don’t know if it’s a secure gateway or not. I said that could be a potentially big problem for people who don’t have a DS180 or something with automatic gateway because you get a cam sensor fault, go to clear the code and it won’t."

To see how the DS180 could help your workshop contact us today.