A UT OM OT I Diagnosis by phone is coming soon INFO GOES TO REMOTE COMPUTER IN THE not-too-distant future, your car’s regular maintenance check may be done by a computer over the telephone. Automakers are now de- veloping the technology to hook up a diagnostic com- puter at the lacal service centre to your cellular phone and modem. You'll simply cali up your mechanic on your car phone, flip a switch, and informa- tion about your car’s vital functions will be fed down the phone line to the remote computer. Your mechanic will review the information and call you back to set up an appointment to have your car serviced, if necessary. Like regular health checkups, preventive maintenance by phone will spot problems before they become serious, or lead to a breakdown (and more ex- pensive repair bills). ‘Diagnosis by phone’ will also save the time delay that occurs when a car is brought in for servicing and parts need to be ordered from the warehouse or factory. _ Though still years away, this kind of technology has evolved through the increas- ing use of electronic compo- nents, on-board computers and computerized diagnostic equipment. Many of the major func- tions of today’s automobiles are controlled and regulated by on-board computers. Things such as fuel injec- tion, engine-management We PROTECT systems, electronically-con- trolled transmissions, automatic climate control systems, electronic iastru- ments, anti-theft systems, and anti-lock brakes are now controlled by computers in- side the car. To diagnose problems with these systems, today’s mechanics require ‘sophisticated computerized diagnostic equipment. Since December of 1988, many General Motors ser- vice centers have been using a state-of-the-art computer called the T-100. “It has two functions;’’ explains Alan Doole, man- ager of GM’s Tech Line in YOUR CAR FROM ' THE BOTTOM UP! UNDERCOATING AUTO DETAILING Full new and used vehicle protection packages. Where else would you go but to the rrofessionals. Over 30 years same location We also do complete interior/exterior clean ups. NORTH YAN UNDERCOATING 1311 Pemrmberion Ave, N.Van. 987-4477 Movement LTD, cc HONDA * GM %* FORD * NISSAN % TOYOTA x VOLVO * VW * CHRYSLER * MAZDA ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED 1124 WEST 15th St. NORTH VANCOUYER ° FUEL INJECTION CLEANING © CLUTCHES » BRAKES @ COMPUTERIZED TUNE-UP © MAJOR ENGINE WORK | FREE ESTIMATES 988-7671. Oshawa, ‘‘to give the technician information such as vehicle bulletins and vehi- cle specifications, and to find faults. “Say, for example, the engine has a rough idle, the mechanic can program the computer to select a half dozen different tests to find the problem. The computer will then give a solution nec- essary to correct it.” if local GM mechanics are stumped by the problem, they can always call ‘big brother’ in Oshawa. “GM technicians have the options of hooking up to a remote computer in Oshawa by telephone line,’’ says Doole. ‘‘Our experts can see what’s wrong with that car over here. It’s a_ live transmission.’* Many automakers now have portable, hand-held computers which can do many of the same functions as the bigger (and more ex- pensive) computers. Subaru recently introduc- ed a hand-held model called the ‘Select Monitor’. Ac- cording to Jose Da Silva, service manager at Specialty Motor Cars in North Van- couver, the Select Moaitor will cut down on diagnostic time and repair time. ‘*it looks like a calculator. It’s really a monitor that gives you a rundown on what (car) system you're checking. We insert a car- tridge onto the monitor for the correct car and year and 27 - Friday, April 6, 1990 - North Shore News . y E— S 2 = NEWS photo Neji Lucente SHOP FOREMAN Kon-Fat Chu of Specialty Motors checks this Subaru’s electrical system with a new diagnostic tool — a computer monitoring device which will make auto maintenance as easy as a phone call. enter a code to check a par- ticular problem. We can carry out checks on fuel in- jection, carburetors, air conditioning, cruise control and others.’’ Da Silva feels that the monitor will aliow him to pinpoint faults more easily and quickly compared to the traditional methods. “Until now, we've been using a flow chart. To locate a problem, we start with Al for example, and go through Av. If we still haven't located the problem, we go on to the next selection: The problem is, what looks like a small problem can get quite complicated.’* With most cars, if a prob- lem is traced to a car’s com- puter itself, the whole thing usually has to be replaced which can be expensive. Some automakers, such as General Motors, are working on a system to ‘repair’ a car’s computer. “Now, if a computer chip is faulty, we usually have to physically replace it,” says Doole. ‘‘But in the next few years, we will be able to download a new program directly into a car's computer, without having to replace it.’’ There is no doubt that on-board computers will play an increasingly impor- ADVERTISING THE ONE STOP DIRECTORY FOR ALL YOUR AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS JAYLORMOTIVE “S9UD, * MECHANICAL SPECIALISTS * COLLISION SPECIALISTS NWA, JauTomonve, RECONDITION ARS OUR “30TH” YEAR SERVING THE NORTH SHORE QUALITY WORKMANSHIP — TRUSTWORTHY SERVICE 8.C.A.A. APPROVED - A.R.A. CERTIFIED 1,€.B.C. VENDOR — 1.C.A.8. TRAINED © GENERAL MECHANICAL (MOTOR BRAKES, ETC} @ AUTOMATIC 3 STANDARD TRANSMISSIONS CLUTCHES, DIFF © COMPUTERIZED ELECTRONK? 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