Selection of diagnostic scanners for repair shops

Summary:

1. Why do you need a car scanner?"
2. Types of car scanners.
3. Multi-marque scanners MaxiSys and MaxiCheck.
4. Autoscanner for BMW – Autel MaxiSys Pro 908.
5. Autoscanner for Ford and Mazda – UCDS.
6. Autoscanner for Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Seat, Skoda – ODIS Engineering and Service.

In modern cars, almost all units are equipped with an electronic control unit (ECU) and a large number of sensors. This allows them to significantly improve the quality of their work, extends their functionality and allows them to quickly search for faults. Some cars have only a few electronically controlled units, while others – even the wipers are under computer control. When the control unit detects a deviation in operation, there is a record in the ECU memory of the corresponding error code. In order for a person to be able to communicate with the ECU and understand the cause of the malfunction, special diagnostic devices – scanners (also called auto scanners) were created.

According to the set of possibilities, scanners are divided into 3 types:

• Universal – they are the most common, they are also called multimaroch. They are designed to diagnose most cars.
• Dealer – scanners with more advanced diagnostics. The devices are designed and manufactured directly by the car manufacturer, and they are designed for a specific car model, sometimes – for several similar models.
• Marque (multimarque). These scanners differ from dealer scanners in that they are manufactured by third-party companies, and they are designed to diagnose a specific make of car. As for the functionality, it is close to dealer scanners, but at the same time, one scanner covers more cars than a dealer scanner.

MaxiSys or MaxiCheck

When diagnosing a car, in 80% of cases, one of two multi-map scanners – MaxiSys or MaxiCheck is sufficient. Both scanners allow you to read error codes, clear them, view real-time data, and read control unit identification. Basically, they are two almost identical scanners, but MaxiSys has a little more functionality.

For the remaining 20% of possible specific operations, such as programming, coding, adaptation and others, it is necessary to have a large number of different scanners in your arsenal.

Let's look at a few examples of scanners we use:

Autel MaxiSys Pro 908

This scanner is a multi-map scanner, but it also has specialised functions. For example, for BMW cars, there is an inbuilt function to update the control unit software. This scanner has access to the official BMW databases and is very handy when updating the software of this brand of car.

MS0122 – UCDS Diagnostic Adapter

The scanner is branded and designed to work with Ford and Mazda vehicles. This device has a very wide range of possibilities and allows you to: update the software of control units, change the configuration of the car (enable and disable additional functions, such as parking assistant, cruise control, etc.), read and delete errors, and many other functions. That's why we use the UCDS scanner with these car brands.

MS0120 – Diagnostic complex VAS5054a + software ODIS ENGINEERING

Use with VAG group vehicles: Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Seat, Skoda. The device is a dealer device, which means that the whole range of works can be performed with the help of this scanner. It is able to: program, code, change the configuration of the car, update and flash the software, and of course there are basic functions of reading and removing errors, reading identification and much more.

The list goes on and on. It's important to realise that there is no perfect scanner that will cover every possible task. You need to tailor your scanner to the specific task at hand, and then it will be as effective and useful as possible.