New sensors
Sensors from Blue Print
Published: 16 December, 2014
Blue Print's engine management range has nearly 1,050 part numbers for around 5,500 applications and includes camshaft position sensors, knock sensors, MAP sensors, oxygen sensors and many more. New additions include a camshaft position sensor for the Suzuki Jimny, Swift and Wagon, a throttle body for the Daewoo and Chevrolet Matiz, a knock sensor for the Toyota Auris, Prius, Yaris and other models as well as a crankshaft angle sensor for the Kia Rio 1.3i.
- Three tools in one
The G-Scan 2 is available through official distributor Blue Print and boasts the same extensive coverage for Asian vehicles as the two existing G-Scan kits, including being OEM for Hyundai and Kia, a two-year warranty and two years of free software updates but it has some valuable new additions. The tool has a built-in 2/4 channel oscilloscope and digital multimeter to identify fault codes, measure voltage or amperage fluctuations of sensors or actuator circuits and it also measures resistance, frequency, duty cycle and pulse width. When working on Hyundai and Kia vehicles, you can view data from the scope alongside the DTC data, easily switching between the three functions without the need to look at data on a laptop. It is larger than its predecessors with a high definition 7" screen and has four times the capacity with a 16GB memory card. It powers up faster using a triple CPU and has an intuitive layout and menu system which is navigated by touchscreen or the 12-button menu system. New software features include a communication line inspection, unit converter and special functions calculator. Wi-Fi is built in so can be updated remotely and you can print directly to a Wi-Fi enabled printer and view graphs and data on a PC without a cable connection.
- Three tools in one
The G-Scan 2 is now available to workshops which provides the same coverage for Asian vehicles as the two existing G-Scan kits, including OEM info for Hyundai and Kia, but also has a built-in 2/4 channel oscilloscope and digital multimeter. These will identify fault codes, measure voltage or amperage fluctuations of sensors or actuator circuits, measure resistance, frequency, duty cycle and pulse width. You can view data from the scope alongside DTC data when working on Hyundai and Kia vehicles and can switch between the three functions so you don't need a laptop to view the data. Other differences to previous models include a bigger high definition 7" screen and four times the capacity with a 16GB memory card. It has a communication line inspection function, unit converter and special functions calculator. Wi-Fi is also built in to the unit so updates can be made remotely.
- Onwards and upwards
A new research and development facility opens in Coventry for XTool Europe to support its UK and European distributor network. The team of software engineers will use the new premises to develop its range of car and commercial diagnostic tools. Managing director Andrew Dimond says: "We wanted to create a static location that our software engineers could work from allowing a smoother work flow. Previously they would work from our Cheltenham office but it quickly became apparent we were out-growing our location. By having this facility in the Midlands, we now have much better coverage of the UK and now offer even more support to our customers".
- Remote diagnostics becomes a reality
The X-431 PRO 3 tool joins Launch UK and is a potential game-changer, offering real-time remote diagnostic checks using wireless, Bluetooth connectivity and 'Golo' telematics. This allows workshops to access real-time vehicle data, to perform real-time diagnostic checks remotely and provides the motorist with information and maintenance guidance via their smartphone. For motorists, Golo technology locates independent garages in their area and will record data concerning safety, anti-theft and driving behaviour. Dave Richards, Launch UK managing director, said: "The launch of Golo is another example of how the independent aftermarket can respond to the threat of vehicle telematics from vehicle manufacturers. "It is very exciting for the independent garage... Not only is Golo going to be a valuable tool for retaining customers in the independent aftermarket, but it will also create a social community among garages and drivers, strengthening the reputation of the independent aftermarket." Launch PRO 3 has a built-in social network service that allows workshops to connect to a virtual community and seek instant help with challenging faults. Technicians can access a comprehensive vehicle database and repair tips to improve workshop efficiency. The PRO 3 tool has various other features. These include the ability to recognise the diagnostic features of other tools in the X-431 series, reading and clearing DTCs, interpreting and reading a vehicle's data stream, also performing actuation tests. Workshop technicians can use the PRO 3 to diagnose faults on 90% of all European, Asian and American vehicle brands.
- The next generation of scopes
The PicoScope 4225 and 4425 are the new 2 and 4 channel automotive scopes which replace the long-serving PicoScope 4223 and 4423 and which provide a number of new features and upgraded performance for the same price as the older scopes. New features provide technicians with additional measurement capabilities and techniques. These capabilities allow the capture of more information and finer detail, over extended periods of time. 'ConnectDetect' is a new feature that confirms on-screen and on-device, that your probe has made connection to the circuit, ideal for hidden connectors. Read more about this in our TestBench on page 35. The BNC input channels are isolated from each other and from USB ground, allowing the technician to directly measure across components, carry out voltage drop tests, test reverse polarity motors and measure floating ground sensors using all inputs at the same time. The input range has been increased to ±200V, reducing the need for attenuation when testing injector circuits, for example. The new scopes can capture up to 400 million samples per second and can measure high speed CAN and FlexRay signals. The new generation scopes have eight times the memory of their predecessors. More samples can be taken and finer detail is revealed when zooming, with the additional benefit of more waveform buffers to review when looking for elusive, intermittent faults.
