Car D.I.Y.

[CXRAndy]

Its Stellantis, Mercedes, kia, Nissan and even Volvo that are requesting subscription from independent mechanics to access their advance feature systems. It goes against right to repair by locking down certain service functions.

They call it secure gateway access. OBD2 is still open and you can mostly read data and fault codes. The manufacturers are locking service features, like reset, calibration of modules etc

 

[Drago]

The problem BMW found was that because OBDII is so wide-open any Tom, Dick or Harry with a ZX81 and some time could easily crack it and then switch on any subscription functions for pennies in the pound. It became so widespread so quickly it wasn't financially worth carrying on any more so they binned it.

They shouldn't be locking any service, calibration or configuration-of-component functions, thats against the regs. Ceretainly with my VW and Volvo kit I can calibrate and configure any component, sensor or module. The only thing I can't do is software upgrades because it's proprietory and they charge for the actual download, but my kit is capable of it for those that choose to subscribe (a day's subscrption is usually less expensive than sending it to the dealer to be done.)

 

[gbb]

Are Mazda's still Fords but with rust ? Ah, some are Toyota's now aren't they

The hookup with Ford ended ages ago. While rust on MX3s was very well known, the cars after, 3s, 6s, CXs etc dont outwardly suffer although undercarriage does seem to suffer surface rust, I know mine does. Worse than any other car ?

 

[gbb]

Its Stellantis, Mercedes, kia, Nissan and even Volvo that are requesting subscription from independent mechanics to access their advance feature systems. It goes against right to repair by locking down certain service functions.

They call it secure gateway access. OBD2 is still open and you can mostly read data and fault codes. The manufacturers are locking service features, like reset, calibration of modules etc

SIL is a long served garage mechanic, he only mentioned the other week how even they occasionally can't fix (or sometimes even investigate) problems on some cars, no access to the data.

 

[Drago]

no access to the data.

They havent acquired the access to the data, a subtle difference.

Its fine for someone like me that has only two makes to worry about, but its probably nigh on impossible for an independent garage to have all the kit and all the access to all manufacturers.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Are Mazda's still Fords but with rust ? Ah, some are Toyota's now aren't they

They haven't had a link with Ford for quite a while. When they did the 2.0 litre petrol Duratec used in the MX5 NC, was a really good engine. I owned a 2011 Mazda 2, had the same chassis as the Mk7 Fiesta, but that was all. It was so reliable but really bad surface rust underneath. Also had an MX5 Mk3, looked at loads of badly rusted ones before finding a good one. I'd still have another, but would always look underneath, maybe they've improved it on later ones, most seem to have a lot of under body trims protecting them. They are fantastic cars usually, if they're a petrol.

 

[gbb]

They havent acquired the access to the data, a subtle difference.

Its fine for someone like me that has only two makes to worry about, but its probably nigh on impossible for an independent garage to have all the kit and all the access to all manufacturers.

Yep amd I guess the point is, this is a fairly new phenomenon, something that didn't used to happen, but does now.
The computer they use to access the data cost IRO (if.memory serves me right) £30k...and annual subscription services that are £thousands pa.
So its either possible theyre simply denied access to certain.manufacturers data...or those manufacturers make it so expensive it becomes prohibitive.
Either way....customer faces higher bills

 

[Drago]

My kit was a couple of hundred quid each, so within reach for a garage, but the Volvo subscription for the downloadable car software, technidal archive, etc, is nearly a hundred quid a day! Thats three grand a month, times however many manufacturers they want to cater for.