TMC, NASHVILLE -- Noregon Systems launched a multi-brand vehicle diagnostics and repair product  called First Step Service Advisor, and announced the JPro Command Module for Mack and Volvo trucks. Both systems examine all of a truck’s electronic control units to find problems that may have caused malfunctions in components that appear to be defective but are not, according to two years of studies. 

“The primary discovery was that 57% of all trucks that were repaired and sent back into service had significant, undiagnosed fault codes or vehicle issues that were not detected using traditional diagnostic and repair processes,” said Greg Reimmuth, Noregon’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, in a press conference at the Technology and Maintenance Council's annual meeting in Nashville Sunday.

“We have also developed metrics showing that only around 15% of all non-warranty repairs require OEM software. The large majority are fixed with the diagnostic trouble linked to troubleshooting and repair information, parts and a wrench.” 

Noregon studies also showed that the traditional one-component-at-time approach using OEM software, referred to as “serial diagnostic routines,” cannot see other problems with a vehicle’s health. It is time0consuming and can result in the misdiagnosis of a root cause, Noregon says.  

A common example is when a reported problem with engine or transmission performance was actually identified as an issue with a related body or chassis controller. In this case, it would require a total vehicle scan to identify the root cause of the problem.  

“There are 38,000-plus fault codes on today’s truck,” Reimmuth continued. “The typical approach is for technicians to use multiple, separate OEM tools in their diagnosis of vehicle issues only when a dash light or driver complaint points to utilization of the respective suspected component diagnostic tool.

"So they tend to isolate on the things reported on the work order, since doing a total vehicle scan with multiple tools is not possible in some cases or practical in a large majority.  

“So while they are fixing an obvious issue on one component, it is highly likely that issues, some serious, on other components exist and go unnoticed. The bottom line is that most of today’s shops and technicians don’t have the visibility they need to properly identify and repair vehicles.”  

Step one of Noregon’s process uses First Step, a tablet-based diagnostic program that allows service writers and shop foremen to connect to a truck in less than a minute, and receive a complete vehicle health report on the vehicle’s electronically controlled components, including engine, transmission, anti-lock braking system and body controllers.

It works on all Class 7 and 8 makes and models, plus medium-duty Ford, General Motors and Sprinter trucks, he said. 

First Step automatically captures the vehicle identification number, ECU serial numbers and thousands of data points, and records information from a walk-around inspection. A fault guidance feature shows the severity of a fault and the effect on the vehicle.

It automatically documents vehicle health information, avoiding manual entry during the estimating process, and provides the customer with documentation of vehicle health information before repairs.  

It makes the correct repair by clearly identifying the root cause, selects the right parts to be replaced the first time, avoids misdiagnosis, and enhances technician efficiency. 

Next, JPRO Commercial Vehicle Diagnostics, or CVD (which was formerly called Fleet Diagnostics), scans the entire vehicle and provides technicians with detailed OEM diagnostic codes. Technicians use that information to find the root cause of the problem and begin the repair process. JPro CVD works on all heavy-duty makes and models.  

Noregon is releasing JPro CVD 2014 v1. In conjunction with that, the company is releasing the JPro CVD Command Module for Mack trucks and Volvo trucks. This is an add-on package that allows bi-directional testing on controls for 2007 and newer Mack trucks and Volvo trucks with Mack and Volvo engines.  

It handles manual regeneration of diesel particulate filters; a cylinder cut-out test for fuel injectors; testing road and cruise control speeds; setting parameters for idle shutdown times; and resetting trip data.  

The software also generates trip report information, including total running time and distance, fuel economy, average driving speed, idle times, hard braking and other data related to vehicle driver performance. 

For fleet managers and technicians who work exclusively on Mack or Volvo trucks, and do not need JPro CVD’s all-makes and -models functionality, Noregon is offering a “stand-alone” software module called Truck Diagnostic System.

That and the JPro CVD Command Module for Mack or Volvo trucks are sold as annual subscription-only software modules. The software remains active, and regular updates and tech support are provided, with a current subscription. Activation requires a one-year minimum user’s license agreement. 

Finally, there’s the JPro Next Step Service Information Module, which automatically ties diagnostic trouble codes to repair information. Once a trouble code is found, the technician activates Next Step and a new window opens containing service information associated with the specific code.

Technicians literally take the “next step” from a trouble code to repair information in 30 seconds or less, Reimmuth said.  

Information displayed includes information for Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, International, Mack, Volvo and Mercedes engines; OEM trouble shooting guides for Eaton Fuller, Meritor WABCO, Bendix and Haldex components.

JPro CVD 2014 v1, Noregon First Step Service Advisor, JPRO CVD Command Module for Mack trucks and Volvo trucks, and the Truck Diagnostic System are all available for sale beginning early in the second quarter of the year.

Customers can visit www.truckdiagnosticsystem.com beginning March 14 to place pre-orders. The site will also feature several existing JPro products such as fleet service kits, adapters, cables and other replacement parts.