The access issue
Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
With onboard diagnostics increasingly controlling an elaborate tapestry of engine functions and components, many shops that upfit or service commercial trucks say they need access to this information.
But OEMs, who have spent millions of dollars developing that software and intellectual property, want to control that.
Who's right?
To examine the complex and controversial issue, the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association put together a panel of experts for a session, “Access to Product and Service Information: An Industry Perspective.”
“This is an access-to-information issue, which is when essential technical information needed to correctly and safely repair a truck or provide the correct part is restricted to truck dealers and their affiliates,” said panel moderator Dave Scheer, president of Inland Truck Parts and Service. “One of the myths that exists is that this only affects those who work on trucks. But that's not true. If you're a part supplier and you're supplying a part to your customer who works on a truck, he needs this information. It's also not just an engine problem. Even though the access-to-information restriction primarily began in the engine area, it is extending to other truck components.
“Is this a real issue? Some would argue that it's not, and that the information is available if you just know where to look. But we at Inland face this issue every day. We know where to look. And not all the necessary information is available to us as an independent.”
Scheer provided some real-life examples, showing pictures to illustrate them:
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Balancing act
A transmission-control module lost communication with a truck. “We have no information. No wiring schematics, bulletins, or updates are available. In order to repair this vehicle and re-establish communication with the truck, we had to take the truck back to the dealer for repair.”
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Cummins electronic control units. “We can't read or clear codes, can't monitor engine functions. The wiring schematic is only available to the dealer.”
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An ABS brake valve with a broken wire in loom. “No wiring schematic is available. What wire goes where?”
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Navistar's multiplex electronic dash. “Many of the truck's components functions are read through a dash information system. There's no access to any technical data. We have been sending trucks to the dealer.”
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Late-style toggle switches on Freightliner's dash. “We were asked to add the accessory option using the existing dash switches. The dealer would not supply a wiring diagram.”
Todd Kindem, director of sales and marketing for ArvinMeritor's Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket, presented the component suppliers' perspective.
