Xentry PassThru
is a subscription service that is offered by Daimler to Independent
Service Providers to allow them to perform certain repairs of vehicles
and control module programming. The US version is mandated by MBUSA
rules, and the EU version is mandated by Daimler AG, so although they
are both used by independent workshops, depending on if you live in the
EU or US, they are priced differently and offer different features.
To clarify what PassThru software is, when OBD1 was common in the
1980s and early 1990s, each manufacturer had a different connector,
diagnostic machine/computer, used different protocols and provided
unique trouble codes depending on the make of the vehicle. The J2534
initiative attempted to standardize that, creating a standard set of
Powertrain DTCs and other diagnostic information in the OBD2
standard (and the EOBD standard I assume is similar in the EU, but I am
honestly not familiar with it). J2534 also provides an avenue for
independent workshops to program, flash, and code control units using a
standardized protocol, connection, and VCI for many makes and models.
J2534 is not as comprehensive as the automaker’s own diagnostic tools,
but provides a level not seen before available to independent workshops.
Instead of purchasing an SD Connect,
Xentry Kit, or other automakers proprietary diagnostic device, J2534
allows you to purchase a J2534 compliant VCI from a number of
manufacturers such as Bosch, Snap-On, AVDI, Drew Technologies, etc. Once
you have one of these J2534 adapters, you can use it with the
automakers software to communicate, troubleshoot, flash, and code
control units not only by Daimler, but by Ford, General Motors,
Dodge/Chrysler, etc. They all have different software that you must use
unique to their make, but use the same interface to connect to the car,
and has the advantage of being installed on a non-proprietary laptop,
such as a standard Windows-based ThinkPad or Surface Pro.
In summary, the PassThru option is less expensive, less capable, but
more flexible and is certainly better than the offerings just 7-8 years
ago. You may order the Xentry PassThru subscription from Daimler and
install it on your laptop and it is licensed to you, however in the US
it will *only* communicate with control units that are emissions related
such as the ECU, SCR, etc. This if course is dictated by the
permissions the StartKey allows, and the StartKey you are assigned with
this subscriptions is artificially limited to those control modules with
the exception of 2018 and newer vehicles, in which all control units
may be interrogated and flashed.
No comments:
Post a Comment