I've seen a variety of questions about problems on these forums, and almost always the standard answer from the experts is: "What were the error codes that were stored?"
Of course these experts are right, because without these codes they can only guess what the problem is/was.
However, for most users there is no way of knowing them, unless the work shop explicitly reveiled them.

While we [i]think [/i]we are driving a car, we are actually not.
We are operating a bunch of computers, which drive the car, and it's beyond me why there is no user interface so you can view the error codes that were stored on the Multi Function display yourself.
That can't be too difficult or expensive.

I can even think of an extension to this, where the car's computer emails a diagnostics report to the dealer who can then send you an invitation to visit the workshop.
Now that would be high-tech!
Quickly, Toyota, before Mercedes or BMW implement this.

[quote name='Thermal' post='942383' date='Nov 5 2009, 09:31 PM']I've seen a variety of questions about problems on these forums, and almost always the standard answer from the experts is: "What were the error codes that were stored?"
Of course these experts are right, because without these codes they can only guess what the problem is/was.
However, for most users there is no way of knowing them, unless the work shop explicitly reveiled them.

While we [i]think [/i]we are driving a car, we are actually not.
We are operating a bunch of computers, which drive the car, and it's beyond me why there is no user interface so you can view the error codes that were stored on the Multi Function display yourself.
That can't be too difficult or expensive.

I can even think of an extension to this, where the car's computer emails a diagnostics report to the dealer who can then send you an invitation to visit the workshop.
Now that would be high-tech!
Quickly, Toyota, before Mercedes or BMW implement this. [/quote]

You can buy an ODB2 reader & find the codes yourself. Available on Ebay & others for £20 to £30. Just do a search for ODB2 reader. It can also reset any errors like the engine management light being on.

Marv

Think the syestem is already in operation with some manufacturers where they contact you to let you know of a fault on the car before you do. Sure BMW is one of them and i remember a Lotus? having link-up to the manufacturer on top gear i think?

[quote name='Thermal' post='942383' date='Nov 5 2009, 08:31 PM']I've seen a variety of questions about problems on these forums, and almost always the standard answer from the experts is: "What were the error codes that were stored?"
Of course these experts are right, because without these codes they can only guess what the problem is/was.
However, for most users there is no way of knowing them, unless the work shop explicitly reveiled them.

While we [i]think [/i]we are driving a car, we are actually not.
We are operating a bunch of computers, which drive the car, and it's beyond me why there is no user interface so you can view the error codes that were stored on the Multi Function display yourself.
That can't be too difficult or expensive.

I can even think of an extension to this, where the car's computer emails a diagnostics report to the dealer who can then send you an invitation to visit the workshop.
Now that would be high-tech!
Quickly, Toyota, before Mercedes or BMW implement this. [/quote]

A similar system is used in Formula One and it is known as telemetry. You can read a lot about in on Wikipedia.

There is a Komatsu bulldozer at my workplace that is constantly linked via a satellite link to a control centre in Germany. An engineer in the control centre can immediately tell if any fault has occurred on the machine and can even control the machine via the satellite link when fault finding! Scary stuff if this made it on to road cars

[quote name='movistargsxr' post='942497' date='Nov 6 2009, 12:23 PM'][quote name='Thermal' post='942383' date='Nov 5 2009, 08:31 PM']I've seen a variety of questions about problems on these forums, and almost always the standard answer from the experts is: "What were the error codes that were stored?"
Of course these experts are right, because without these codes they can only guess what the problem is/was.
However, for most users there is no way of knowing them, unless the work shop explicitly reveiled them.

While we [i]think [/i]we are driving a car, we are actually not.
We are operating a bunch of computers, which drive the car, and it's beyond me why there is no user interface so you can view the error codes that were stored on the Multi Function display yourself.
That can't be too difficult or expensive.

I can even think of an extension to this, where the car's computer emails a diagnostics report to the dealer who can then send you an invitation to visit the workshop.
Now that would be high-tech!
Quickly, Toyota, before Mercedes or BMW implement this. [/quote]

A similar system is used in Formula One and it is known as telemetry. You can read a lot about in on Wikipedia.

There is a Komatsu bulldozer at my workplace that is constantly linked via a satellite link to a control centre in Germany. An engineer in the control centre can immediately tell if any fault has occurred on the machine and can even control the machine via the satellite link when fault finding! Scary stuff if this made it on to road cars
[/quote]I'm sure it will ..... sooner rather than later.
Pete.

It's already here, as pointed out above ie: BMW & KOMATSU. Watched what i assumed would be another brain dead documentary on Sky only recently regarding a John Deere Harvester. From the factory they picked up a fault with moisture sensor fitted to vehicle & a John Deere repair team that follows the machines up through the wheat belt States was on the job in no time, result, about an Hr's downtime.

Cannot see mechanic/technician becoming obsolete in the near future, due to the fact that mechanical parts will always let you down at some point just through plain wear & tear.

Regards, Beagh.

I ride a Ducati as my 2nd vehicle, and that has the function of displaying error codes with a few pushes of the dash buttons. Shouldn't be too difficult to incorporate into cars............