Electronic components now account for around 30% of parts on a vehicle, and any mechanics that still think they can just take the old part off and have the new one work automatically are in for a surprise. Matthew Smart, Head of Electronics at HELLA observed: “Gone are the days when you could swap-out malfunctioning electronic parts with new and expect these to work seamlessly.” He continued: “Today's vehicles are equipped with an intricate web of electronic sensors, control units, and modules that govern all aspects of a vehicle's performance. However, the installation process of these parts now increasingly requires a calibration process to ensure seamless integration and effective communication with the vehicle.” Not calibrating an electronic component correctly could cause an engine warning light to come on, leading potentially to performance issues and system malfunctions. Matthew continued: “Calibration often only requires a 15minute drive. The advice for technicians is to simply follow manufacturer maintenance and repair instructions.” OEM data can be accessed via Hella Gutmann’s mega macs X diagnostic tool, which includes support for cyber security management (CSM) within its standard software license. Julian Goulding, Head of Sales at Hella Gutmann, observed: "Rather than registering for each individual OE portal, verifying your identity and following the steps for eventual diagnostic activation, mega macs users only need to authenticate themselves once with Hella Gutmann. After that, everything runs automatically for them. “For the very latest vehicles to be launched by vehicle manufacturers. which even the most up-to-date aftermarket tools cannot cater for, Hella Gutmann’s macsRemote Services provides a gateway for independent garages. Remote access to VM diagnostic tools, means workshops can now diagnose faults and activate solutions. Technicians simply connect the macsRemote vehicle communication interface (VCI) to the car and create a job ticket via the Hella Gutmann online portal. From here, technical experts can remotely access all the vehicle’s electronic systems and perform the required tasks using VM diagnostic equipment.” HELLA also provides information on commonly seen fault symptoms via its HELLA Tech World online portal. For more information, visit: www.hella.com/techworld/uk/Technical/Vehiclespecific-repair-tips-6728/?cat=enk Identify and resolve Electronic systems mean it is possible to control emissions, as TOPDON Content Marketing Specialist Simon Zhong said: “Globally, proactive measures have been taken to address emissions from traditional fuel vehicles. Countries have reinforced regulations, raised emission standards, and implemented stricter inspections to reduce air pollution 34 AFTERMARKET MARCH 2024 VEHICLE ELECTRONICS AND ENGINE MANAGEMENT www.aftermarketonline.net CONNECTED TO GET AHEAD With emissions controls tighter than ever, you need to make sure you are on top of vehicle electronics and engine management and greenhouse gas emissions. Modern vehicles rely on electronic systems; Thus, it is important for technicians to identify and resolve engine and emission system issues. “The intricate relationship between vehicle electronics and engine management is not only crucial for optimising engine performance but also for effectively controlling vehicle emissions. Vehicle electronics encompass a range of sensors, control units, and actuators that work collaboratively to monitor and adjust various aspects of vehicle performance. “The engine management system is responsible for optimising the engine's combustion process to achieve optimal fuel efficiency. The exhaust generated during the engine combustion process contains harmful gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which pose environmental and air quality hazards. This system can effectively control and reduce the generation of harmful emissions through real-time monitoring and adjustments to engine operation, i.e. air flow, fuel mixture concentration, engine temperature, etc. “Fault diagnosis and real-time data monitoring are critical steps in addressing issues with automotive engines and emission systems. By connecting to the vehicle's diagnostic interface, automotive diagnostic tools read fault codes from the ECU, aiding in timely identification and resolution of problems. Simultaneously, real-time monitoring of key parameters during engine operation, such as air flow, engine temperature, and oxygen sensor data, is crucial for optimising engine performance and reducing emissions.” Superior performance On what TOPDOAN has to offer on this front to help, Simon observed: “TOPDON's cost-effective OBD2 diagnostic tool, TopScan Pro, serves as a powerful scanner in solving these issues. This compact and powerful diagnostic tool only needs to be connected to the car's OBD2 interface, allowing users to easily read emission-related data with a single Above: NTK camshaft and crankshaft sensors
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