Okay, you’re familiar with this scenario, you’re on the road and the check engine light suddenly grabs your attention. For many, if not most operators, one pulls over and reaches for their OBD 2 reader to get an idea of what the problem is and potentially, how serious it is.
Once only available at dealerships and repair shops, diagnostic scanners now come in all sizes, capabilities and price ranges to be an affordable tool for any driver’s toolbox. But do you know the over 50-year story behind on-board diagnostics? It is interesting to see where the tool started and how it has advanced and which ones are leading the way in 2020.
First, let’s start at the beginning, 1968 to be exact. That’s when Volkswagen incorporated an on-board computer with the ability to be scanned, on their Type 3 compact car. From there, the on-board diagnostic tool slowly evolved over the years.
In 1975, Datsun consumer vehicles started featuring on-board diagnostic computers to aid in fuel injection system tuning. It is important to note that there was no industry standard in place at the time. General Motors created a proprietary interface and protocol for testing the Engine Control Module (ECM) during the assembly line process in 1980. It was called the Assembly Line Diagnostic Link or ALDL.
The Society of Automotive Engineers proposed the adoption of a standardized diagnostic connector and a set of test signals in 1988. In 1991, what eventually became known as OBD 1 (On-Board Diagnostics) was introduced as a result of the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) requirement that all new vehicles have some level of OBD capability. It wasn’t until 1994 that CARB mandated OBD 2 specifications be adopted for all new vehicles starting in 1996. And in 1996, OBD 2 was < a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics" target="blank">made mandatory for all cars sold in the United States.
OBD requirements for heavy-duty vehicles were phased in by the EPA between 2005 and 2008. And, in 2010, the EPA made the OBD 2 standard mandatory for all heavy-duty vehicles.
Even though the specifications and codes for on-board diagnostics became more standardized, the price of diagnostic tools remained high for years. So, only dealerships and repair shops could afford them. But, as technology advanced, OBD scanners became affordable for consumers.
Before we go any further, it may be important to point out to some that there are two types to OBD2 tools for vehicle owners — code readers and scanners.
Code Readers are OBD2 devices that can read and clear codes from vehicles equipped with an on-board computer. OBD2 code readers are usually inexpensive and are limited in what they can diagnose. They usually don’t have the capability to provide manufacturer-specific codes or offer access to any additional data.
Scan tools offer a variety of more advanced features and usually give users access to manufacturer-specific codes, allow for customizable access to live and recorded data and even provide information for troubleshooting problems. As to be expected, OBD2 scan tools are more expensive than code readers.
There are a variety of OBD2 diagnostic tools to choose from for today’s heavy-duty truck, 4×4 or farm vehicles. Diagnosing issues yourself in order to find, identify and perform a repair offers a significant amount of savings potential for heavy-duty vehicle owners. And, if an issue is serious enough that it requires a professional mechanic, at least you’re better informed about what’s wrong with your vehicle and less likely to be surprised by the announcement of a costly repair.
Over at obdfocus.com, Tim Miller has put together a great review of the five best heavy-duty truck diagnostic scanners for 2020. If you’re looking for truck diagnostic tools, OBD FOCUS’ article is a great place to start. Here’s a quick summary of the five models from the article:
Heavy-duty truck diagnostic tools can be extremely helpful in the care and upkeep of your heavy-duty vehicle. But it’s important to realize that when a serious issue arises, the smart move is to get your truck, 4×4 or farm vehicle to the experts at Inland Truck Parts right away. Because, when it comes to diagnosing, repairing and maintaining your vehicle, we have the quality and expertise to get the job done right, right now.