Welcome to the OnDemand5.com/ShopKey5.com newsletter.
This newsletter is provided to share information about our users, their shops, automotive industry news, things going on at Mitchell 1 as well as tips for using the OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com products. If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, or ideas for what you'd like to see in it, please .
Missed a previous edition or want to read an article again? Just go to the Newsletter Archive page for a list of links to past headlines.
NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
ProDemand™ and ShopKey®Pro Now Available
FASTER, EASIER, SMARTER
ProDemand and ShopKey Pro are now available to all OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com subscribers at no additional charge. For more information and to request ProDemand™ or ShopKey®Pro to be added to your account, click the link below:
FASTER - eliminating the need for multiple information look-ups. By returning relevant content in one look-up, ProDemand and ShopKey Pro quickly give the technicians everything they need to complete the job.
EASIER - allowing the technician to effortlessly navigate from procedures to TSBs to specifications to wiring diagrams and more. ProDemand and ShopKey Pro bring the information to the technicians so they can focus on the vehicle.
SMARTER - intelligently cross referencing components, phrases, and codes in the database. Technicians don't have to know the OEM specific term because ProDemand and ShopKey Pro will find the information regardless of term entered.
Want to know more before you sign up?
Join us at one of our training workshops where we show you how the new product works. Workshops are held twice per day, every weekday at 12pm Eastern/9am Pacific and 5pm Eastern/2pm Pacific. You only need to attend one 45 minute session. Click the appropriate link below to visit our training site and to sign up for a workshop.
ProDemand and ShopKey Pro now include Estimator built right in.
Watch the training video below to learn the basics of using Estimator or click here to request access to ProDemand or ShopKey Pro.
Internet Explorer 9 or 10 Compatibility
Before installing or upgrading to Internet Explorer 9 or 10, please read our page of information detailing what to do and issues that may occur with this update. Some users will get IE9 automatically from Microsoft.
Repairing Wiring and Wiring Connectors - The Trainer Video Series
Motor Age -- Troubleshooting and repairing electrical problems is becoming a daily task for professional technicians. Often, the cause of the fault is a damaged connector or wiring harness. Its proper repair is critical to the correct operation of the electrical circuit it is a part of. Incorrect repair methods could actually create additional faults; faults that may or may not be readily apparent.
In this edition of the Trainer, we take a look at common mistakes made that lead to circuit issues and how to prevent them. We'll also share some specific repair techniques you can use to correct bad connections and damaged wiring.
Bits and Bytes on J2534 Module Programming
Reprogram in my shop? Really?
Motor Age -- Sometimes knowing "just a little bit" about something in today's auto repair world is more than enough for me. I know just enough about automatic transmission rebuilding, for example, to know those jobs (for me personally anyway) are best left to a transmission specialist. Not so with other areas of our repair world.
Some technologies are so intertwined in the entire vehicle you really need to embrace that technology before it runs you over. Case in point: For more than 20 years, every technician performing electrical or drivability work has needed more than "just a little bit" of knowledge about standard electrical theory, proper Digital Volt-Ohm Meter (DVOM) usage and scan tool know-how. More recently, we can add oscilloscope testing and module programming to our required knowledge set. Maybe you're reading this and thinking to yourself, "I'm fine with electrical theory, meter usage and scanner operation and I'm getting there on the scope but module programming? Come on! That's for the new car dealer who has the factory scan tool!"
We all know that dealers and independents that are fortunate enough to own factory scan tools can perform various software programming and configuration procedures on Engine Control Modules (ECMs) on today's vehicles. What many independent techs and shop owners don't know is that most OEMs are migrating toward field programmable software for non-emissions-related modules. That list is extensive for some OEMs and includes everything from Body Control Modules (BCMs) to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) heads.
Many of today's service fixes are accomplished exclusively with software updates simply meaning that if you don't do module programming — you don't fix the vehicle, period. The generation for improvements to drivability, false DTCs, system performance, in car odors, false airbag deployments, even making parts last longer all through software updates has arrived.
EPROM vs. EEPROM
Not that many years ago, modules either were replaced or had a pluggable chip replaced to update that module's software. This wasn't cost efficient for the OEMs to do under warranty so they evolved to programming electronically via Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). Another factor in the increase of software updates/repairs is the sheer proliferation of electronics on the vehicle. Add it all up and you'll find $8,000 worth of electronics, software and wiring in the average $20,000 vehicle.
Would you or one of your techs like to be profiled in the newsletter? How about your shop? We're looking for techs and/or shops to feature in this spot. This is an opportunity to let other techs know about you and your shop. You can share information on what your specialties are, what special conditions you have to deal with in your area, anything interesting about your shop or even what you like to do in your free time.
We will also list your shop's information such as location, phone number, web site, or any other information you'd like to provide.
Send your story and photos for consideration to . Please also include your account number.
Did you know... When you post a tip or question in the OnDemand5/ShopKey5 Live Tips system, there is a spell checker available. It is the right-most button on the tool bar above the text box. Just click the button before you click the post button.
Click here for more hints on using OnDemand5 and ShopKey5.
Mitchell 1 is running a tip contest for a limited time in OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com. Below are the latest winners of the contest. Each of these tips earned the tech a $100 prize. Click the links below to see the complete tips and for more information on how you can enter.
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Would you or one of your techs like to be profiled in the newsletter? How about your shop? We're looking for techs and/or shops to feature in this spot. This is an opportunity to let other techs know about you and your shop. You can share information on what your specialties are, what special conditions you have to deal with in your area, anything interesting about your shop or even what you like to do in your free time.
When you post a tip or question in the OnDemand5/ShopKey5 Live Tips system, there is a spell checker available. It is the right-most button on the tool bar above the text box. Just click the button before you click the post button.
