VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Snap-on Training Solutions helps you get the most out of your APOLLO-D8 diagnostic tool. I’m Jim Moritz, Global Field Trainer, and Sales Support Representative.
This training module covers the vehicle identification process and code operations.
VEHICLE ID
The first step in diagnosing any vehicle is to select the vehicle ID. Your starting point to ID a vehicle is via the scanner icon on the home page. The vehicle ID must be entered into the scan tool, so test data displays correctly, and to ensure communication with the vehicle’s electronic control module, or ECM. Follow the screen prompts. Each selection advances to the next screen. The exact sequence varies by the vehicle make, model and year.
A vehicle can be identified in one of three ways. Instant ID, Auto-ID, or Manual ID. Instant ID and Auto-ID work on most vehicles 2008 and newer.
Instant vehicle identification is a built-in Scanner feature that saves you time when identifying a vehicle, by automatically communicating with the vehicle to complete the vehicle identification process. Instant ID is available on many 2008 and newer vehicles by querying OBD-II Mode $09 for the vehicle identification number.
Before connecting the Data Cable to the vehicle’s OBD-II Data Link Connector, switch the ignition to Key On/Engine OFF.
Now connect the lighted Data Cable to the OBD-II connector. The APOLLO-D8 automatically powers up if not turned on already. Wait for the beep!
You can then use Scanner or Quick Lookups with the vehicle identified. Depending on the vehicle, Instant ID may occur automatically and only ask you to confirm the vehicle, or additional screens may be displayed to enter other vehicle information.
Some vehicles send vehicle ID data through the OBD-II connector and can ID automatically. Select the vehicle Make and Model Year. Select Automatic ID, and the tool displays the configuration and engine and completes the ID process.
The vehicle ID must be entered into the scan tool, so test data displays correctly, and to ensure communication with the vehicle’s electronic control module, or ECM.
To manually ID a vehicle, follow the screen prompts. Each selection advances you to the next screen.
Select the vehicle make from the menu. If necessary, use the scroll bar on the right to page down for more choices. In this case, we will select “Demonstration.”
You select a model year. Select any other options. Some models have more than one configuration. For example, a four-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Select engine size. You can select the engine displacement, or use the vehicle identification number from the vehicle. The VIN position for the engine is shown at the top of the screen, and the choices are listed on the menu alongside the selections. The exact sequence varies by the vehicle make, model and year.
If the vehicle ID is correct, select OK. Or cancel to re-enter any information.
You then land on the Vehicle System Menu.
CODE SCAN
How about performing a complete vehicle health check with just one touch?
Covering more than just the engine system, performing a full vehicle code scan ensures peace of mind for you and your customers. Many systems do not turn on a light or put a message on the Diagnostic Information Center of the vehicle. Uncover hidden issues!
A good practice would be to do a pre-scan before any work is done to make the customer aware of any and all issues, then a post-scan after work is complete to confirm the repairs. Depending on the vehicle, the Code Scan option may be available from the menu. A percentage complete is displayed at the top, indicating the active scanning progress.
Once completed, the results are displayed by system category. The following results are displayed progressively as the modules are scanned: A list of all the systems analyzed with diagnostic trouble code totals, a categorized system list displays with diagnostic trouble code totals in the order they were scanned. Selecting the Save icon from the Code Scan toolbar saves the Code Scan results as an XML file. The XML file is viewable by selecting Previous Vehicles and Data, View Saved Data, and then select the XML file from your saved file list. When opened, the file displays vehicle information and a list of Diagnostic Trouble Codes with a brief description.
Saved diagnostic trouble code XML files can be transferred to a personal computer using ShopStream Connect™. Once you connect the diagnostic tool to the PC, XML files can be viewed, printed, transferred, and copied. XML files transferred with ShopStream Connect are text files containing vehicle information and the Diagnostic Trouble Code list. ShopStream Connect is a companion program that is available online, at no charge. Please visit this website and download the free application.
To see the step-by-step procedure, please see the pre- and post-scan training module in this series.
To view the main menu for a system in the list, select the system, then select the System icon.
Select the “Back” icon to return to the code scan screen.
READING CODES
To manually scan an individual system, select the desired system to diagnose. Use the scroll bar at the right to scroll down for more information that may not be displayed on the first screen.
Let’s diagnose the engine system. Navigation for all other systems is similar. With the check engine light illuminated, the first thing we should do is check for codes. This will be the starting point on our diagnostic workflow. Select the codes menu to access diagnostic trouble codes from the vehicle control module. Our first step is to click on display codes. It opens a list of diagnostic trouble code types or DTCs stored in the ECM. Select DTC Display. A list of DTCs appears, along with the code description.
Snap-on is dedicated to helping you get the most out of your diagnostic tool and keep your customers happy. Be sure to watch the rest of the modules in this Training Solutions series.