Question for heavy diesel guys.

[thightower]

Making plans for my own shop. Just got the kid out of college and trying to get finaces straightened out from that.
Anyway, has anyone used the genesys or pegasys heavy equipment standard for code reading. Good or bad, should I look somewhere else.

 

[sdguy55]

Im looking at getting Nexiq Pro-Link IQ for our shop...played around with one that has the standard heavy duty software on it and it was pretty damn nice. You can go deeper by getting engine specific softwares. You can also get an all around package called the 'extreme' package for 11,000. Should cover anything you come acrossed

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have a Genesys with the HD cables. It will show you all the parameters from the ecm and is handy for checking pressures and verifing system functions. I haven't used it alot so far. Checked our '96 T800 with N14 and a pair of Sterlings with detroits.

 

[anydzzdae38]

In my experience, factory or nothing. Specialize in a brand of truck, like Peterbilt or Volvo or International. Then get the tooling and software for that brand. Special tools will kill you. We just got in a special tool for the International Maxxforce engines, at $5000.

 

[thightower]

I'm planning on a small independent shop. Not sure if I can afford the factory software. I'm also trying to find out stuff on the tractor side also, since I am in a rural area. Not having much luck with John Deere.

 

[Justanoldguy]

Question for heavy diesel guys.

I've had a bit to do with diesel but I wouldn't call me heavy.

 

[thightower]

Good one. But I am heavier than I was when I started doing this for a living.

 

[mvptrukin]

If I was opening my own shop this would be the kind of system that would be purchased:
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/3289867862.html
This system would cover every engine,truck,and brake mfg.family sold and class A&B and pickup trucks! I have no experience with the seller and have noticed when doing a CL nationwide search on search tempest he advertises in other sections of the country. The system I use at work is similar but doesn't cover all the vehicles. I don't know about ag equipment but the new models are computer controlled so the software programs are available somewhere.

 

[JASTECH]

I will be helping my brother with his Kenny T600, my larger tools will get used again. Software and cable wise I was told to use OEM by GJ members. Cost alot mor4.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'm planning on a small independent shop. Not sure if I can afford the factory software. I'm also trying to find out stuff on the tractor side also, since I am in a rural area. Not having much luck with John Deere.

90% of diagnosis on a deere can be done threw the dash. Not a hell of lot that I ever used service adviser other then when I really needed it.

 

[Stick]

If I was opening my own shop this would be the kind of system that would be purchased:
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/3289867862.html
This system would cover every engine,truck,and brake mfg.family sold and class A&B and pickup trucks! I have no experience with the seller and have noticed when doing a CL nationwide search on search tempest he advertises in other sections of the country. The system I use at work is similar but doesn't cover all the vehicles. I don't know about ag equipment but the new models are computer controlled so the software programs are available somewhere.

Probably one of the same guys that advertise on eBay. Notice that it says the software never expires or times out, a sure sign of hacked/pirated software. Combine that with what's usually an outdated/used laptop, and the deal isn't as sweet as it seems, especially if you ever end up needing support from the manufacturer...

 

[mvptrukin]

That's what I was thinking when I saw it on CL but was bringing it up as an example. Most similar NexIQ systems that I have seen for sale give an expiration date on the software license.

 

[thightower]

From what I've seen of those. As long as you don't register or update it is free. Basically stuck with what you bought.

 

[WESTOF7]

Factory or nothing. I have insite, caterpillar electronic technician and the detroit diesel software

specialize or do something like cat/cummins/detroit only.

Honestly if you want to make money and you have to ask these questions stick to chassis work and basic repairs with a low shop rate until you build up a customer base.

Anything you cant read with a heavy duty standard code reader send out to the dealer

 

[WESTOF7]

Oh and nexiq is garbage

 

[bustdknuckle]

I work at a Freightliner/Isuzu dealer we have the Nexiq USB links with detroit, cat and cummins on our laptops thats what I would suggest doing the start up is very expensive but the renewal each year is not bad from the research Ive done.

One guy I work with has a Genesys and can get the code numbers then goes online to get the t-shooting and discriptions, but have to have access for those. Another has a eaton reader and hes worked for international and other smaller indepenant shops and just used that.

 

[thightower]

I've been around Cat ET for a long time. But the companies I have worked for bought the software. Sounds like I should just stick with the OEM programs. The company I work for presently got ET for all of the techs at a reduced rate, only thing is, it was last years model. But in gas compression, we are behind in technology anyway.

 

[transittech]

Probably one of the same guys that advertise on eBay. Notice that it says the software never expires or times out, a sure sign of hacked/pirated software. Combine that with what's usually an outdated/used laptop, and the deal isn't as sweet as it seems, especially if you ever end up needing support from the manufacturer...

I agree. I work mostly on Cummins, if you don't update Insite every year ($$$), they "lock" you out and you can't erase codes. Don't know what else it won't do, but it gets frustrating real fast.

Oh, and the current version of Insite pro *****.

 

[thightower]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Bullitt427]

90% of diagnosis on a deere can be done threw the dash. Not a hell of lot that I ever used service adviser other then when I really needed it.

Newer Deere self diags works very well, older Deere (like a 330CLC or 644H) Service Advisor is very handy.


Josh

 

[KSB]

At our shop we just bought the Nexiq IQ a few months ago. In my opinion good to read the codes but other than that I have not found much use for it. I have noticed that it will perform cylinder cutouts, give you some good engine information such as fuel pressures, boost, throttle position, etc. and it will let you organize what information you want to see in a "quick list"".

I have not used the Genysis very often (1-2 times) so I cannot comment on it. I know it works well on cars and light trucks because it gets used alot for that.

Anything specialized like injector trim files on a Cat you will neet ET and SAS. Because of this I find myself getting the computers with the OEM software out of the tool crib first.

 

[smalltruck]

Blue point makes one similiar to the OTC Genesis setup. Seems to work ok for the little I've used it.

 

[Snaparxon]

The shop I work for has a system called Texa, does quite a bit. Can change parameters on all brands but not all parameters. They also have an option for automotive and ag although we only have the heavy truck version. Bought it from this outfit: https://diesellaptops.com/main.sc
I have never been around the Nexiq so I can't comment on them.

I looked in to getting the Cummins Insight because it seemed like to troubleshoot every code first thing to check is to make sure the computer has the current updates and no multi-plexing issues. Was told by Cummins I have to take an online 3 hour college course and buy this, buy that, blah blah blah


If you are going to work on 1999 and older Internationals only, you can download Internationals factory software for free from them. Also I think Bendix-Knorr has free software for their ABS systems

 

[mudflap]

90% of tractors on the road are leased..so are serviced at dealerships. I would start with a trailer repair shop first. Service/repair/annual DOT those first..Costs alot less to get started too.

 

[VinceG]

I work for Schneider trucking. We service our own trucks at shops and service sites across the country and have 500-700 Techs employed. We do almost all repairs at our shops when we are able to some facilities are not big enough or set up for engine overhaul but we do it at our large shops. We own Freightliner, Kenworth, Volvo and Internationals with Cummins. Yes even if the unit is under Warranty. We use Manufacturer software most of the time. We do also use Noregon J-Pro software in our shops and service trucks. We use Hantek 6074BE oscilloscopes for CAN issues.

 

[finn]

I worked for a Diesel engine oem, in Engineering, and agree Go Factory or stick to things other than engine, powertrain, or electronic.