By-passing The SGW

It is my understanding that aftermarket scan tools could eventually become approved tools. I was under the impression that companies like Snap-on would most likely gain approval. I predict that companies involved in making these by-passes will not get approval, but then again they are partially responsible for this to begin with...

Great points Matthew!

I completely disagree with the idea of the bypass cables. I also disagree with FCA being able to dictate who can or cannot access their vehicles. So I am not sure of a solution at this point. I have a WiTech. That's what I will use.

The FCA solution relies on a master key server which will "approve" who will and will not have access to a vehicle. The owner is never mentioned as automatically having login credentials. As you can all see there will be ways around it for quite some time by aftermarket tools who have been DENIED participation in order to drive up the cost of working on vehicles. Don't fall for the "prevent

It’s not just FCA products. I just left a collision center that I do some work for. I brought this up to them. They were well aware and have also received bulletins from GM, Toyota, and some other makes stating the same. This will eventually become the new norm. This is not to say that aftermarket tools will not eventually be approved, but they will have to pass an authentication process and the

I believe that although being forced into using the Wi-Tech, we in the industry should understand that these systems are in place to limit vehicle theft. Hopefully there will be aftermarket tools to gain access, yet I doubt it will be anytime soon. Through lots of trial and error over the last 10 years, I have found that factory tools are the only way to go for programming and J2534 is hit or

The factory scan tool has been the best choice for some time. Having dealer level capability is marketable and can aid in ROI. But not every shop services enough FCA vehicles to warrant the cost. Each shop will have to determine if they want to ”tool up” and market themselves to attract FCA customers to recoup their costs, or not service FCA vehicles. Of course it all depends on how soon

I applaud the innovators that find a way to get past the over zealous OEMs. How in the world did we as consumers allow software that we paid for in the purchase of our vehicles become the property of the manufactures? Back in the late 70s when I started tinkering with vehicles, the only security was carburetor idle screws that had plastic or metal anti-tamper plugs. We quickly learned the best

Thanks for your response Michael, the debate over who owns the software will continue. I agree that the vehicle can’t operate without the software so it was part of the vehicle when purchased and belongs to the vehicle owner. Who would buy a vehicle without software to make it run? Also what about when a module is updated, the software has to be purchased from the manufacturer. You bought it…

Allan, You are exactly right. The software needs to be part of the vehicle purchase. I also have believed for many years that digital visibility to the vehicle should also be part of the vehicle purchase and owned by the purchaser. I don't suggest that exotic scan tool functions with online databases and collaboration by others should be part of it but trouble codes and full human readable

I think it is pretty obvious FCA was not conspiring with a clever plan to prevent access to the aftermarket. Some notes on this that I think are important to share: Witech 2 is compatible with the J2534-3 protocol. And fully compatible rather than just programming. Chrysler does not sell any J2534 devices. The 3 day subscription offered for use with a J2534 device is available for $50. If

FCA, and before Daimler Chrysler have always played a game with J2534 compliance. J2534-3 is a compliance specification to validate performance of a J2534-1 device, not an operating spec of the device. J2534-2 is a specification which adds extension which allows access to different pins and protocols to communicate with different vehicle networks. Newer J devices can support this. There is also

Ok ok ok I'll share my secret. First you need to click this link. aetools​.​witechtools​.​com/witech-service… You will need to create a login to view pricing. You register your J2534 device. If it is a J2534-3 device you will have full wiTech capabilities. This includes the 2018 and 2019 FCA vehicles you asked about. I mentioned this in an earlier article as well

ETI seems to be the liaison between the OEM and the Aftermarket. A suggestion would be to have those who are part of ETI give some ideas on how the last meetings went. etools​.​org

Been at all of them. FCA issue was big time. It has accelerated the need for legislation. Aftermarket tool customer: "What do you mean my new $XXXX tool will never support new FCA vehicles!" We all understand the need for OEM tools. But we lose efficiency doing simple daily tasks if we are forced to use OEM tools all the time. Manufacturers could give their software away for free and it would

I think if you are working on cars that new, you should be able to afford the factory tools, and really have an ethical responsibility to do so, since the cars are likely still under warranty, If you work on mostly ten to twenty tear old stuff, like here, It won't be an issue by then, If nothing else, access codes for every VIN will have all been pirated by then.

Is by-passing in this manner any different than what I did today to install a harmonic balancer? It is what we do in the aftermarket... make stuff work and get the car fixed.

How dare you, those aren't factory vice grips!

Hahaha, one was some cheapo too, it was what I could find in the customers tool box. It is tough being away from your own...

You need an ambulance! I lug around just about every tool I own which is awesome for situations like that. The downside is measuring fuel mileage in gallons per mile.

No but they were designed to the proper J standard. 😀