Why didnt Sun get into OBD diag?

[Shoreline_]

They were so advanced for engine diag and then they sorta dissappeared when obd1 came out.

Maybe the price? In 1980, the top of the line analyzer was 50k (206k in today's money.) I don't think even the priciest scan tool is near that.

Edit - that wasnt the average shop one. That was the fancy computer one. The average shop one was $2500 in 80. Or 10k now which is about what a new snappy scanner goes for.

 

[zendriver]

Maybe all of the profit was in the metal cabinets.

 

[William Payne]

I used to know a mechanic who had one of those giant sub machines.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Who knows. There are a lot skeletons of companies that failed to keep up with changing times.

 

[zendriver]

Wasn't the first ODB1 readers simply codes and nothing more, (as well as early ODBII)? Seems like the cost went down pretty quick to next to nothing.

Might have been hard to make the jump.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

SNAP-ON TOOLS AGREES TO BUY SUN ELECTRIC

Snap-On Tools Corp. said Monday it will acquire Sun Electric Corp., of northwest suburban Crystal Lake, in a $11.25-per-share tender offer that analysts said is worth about $110 million. Kenosha, Wis.-based Snap-On is known primarily as a…

www.chicagotribune.com

I would assume thats your answer!

EDIT: SUN OBD scanners

SUN | On-Board Diagnostic

eu.sun-workshopsolutions.com

EDIT 2: Looks like Snap-On only sells the SUN line in Europe and Brazil.

 

[richfinn]

They did sell a version of the Snap-On MT2500 (SUN PDL1000)

My guess is that it was easier to sell a tool like this directly from the tool trucks with a credit agreement, and then Portable Digital Storage Oscilloscopes arrived from Fluke/Bosch so Sun/Snap-On decided to concentrate on other Garage Equipment (Lifts/Wheel Alignment etc.) instead.

PDL 1000 – Sun-Electric

 

[finn]

Looks like Sun is now based in the Netherlands, and focuses on aircraft test systems, although they also mention end of line testing for truck assembly plants. The company history goes back to 1931 when it focused on automotive test systems. I assume that this is the same Sun test systems company, or what’s left of it.

Seems to be mainly a defense contractor now, with a lot of emphasis on hydraulics testing and diagnostics for helicopters, etc, based on what their website says. It looks like Snapon acquired the automotive test end of the business in 1991.

They (Sun) do have a unit in the US, but it’s based in Huntsville, which again suggests it’s focused on the defense industry..

The change in focus to the defense industry seems to have started in 1948, and continued through the sixties. By 1981, I’m reading that they were mainly focused on Military. That’s more than ten years before OBD. That also explains why the automotive test business was divested to Snapon.

That’s all speculation and inferences based on ten minutes of internet searching.

There’s a small Facebook presence, but I haven’t joined. They seem to be interested in the classic Sun machines of the fifties.

 

[American Locomotive]

They did! https://eu.sun-workshopsolutions.com/en/products/diagnostic

Snap-On purchased Sun over 30 years ago. They discontinued the Sun brand in the U.S., but seem to have it kept it for areas where the Sun brand has more recognition than "Snap-On" - mainly Europe.

It wouldn't surprise me if Snap-On had been using Sun to design their diagnostic products and just ended up purchasing the company.

 

[Shoreline_]

Ya know I was driving around this morning thinking about this post and thought "Maybe Snapon bought them" and I come back and look at that.

 

[1982fxr]

Looks like Sun is now based in the Netherlands, and focuses on aircraft test systems, although they also mention end of line testing for truck assembly plants. The company history goes back to 1931 when it focused on automotive test systems. I assume that this is the same Sun test systems company, or what’s left of it.

Seems to be mainly a defense contractor now, with a lot of emphasis on hydraulics testing and diagnostics for helicopters, etc, based on what their website says. It looks like Snapon acquired the automotive test end of the business in 1991.

They (Sun) do have a unit in the US, but it’s based in Huntsville, which again suggests it’s focused on the defense industry..

The change in focus to the defense industry seems to have started in 1948, and continued through the sixties. By 1981, I’m reading that they were mainly focused on Military. That’s more than ten years before OBD. That also explains why the automotive test business was divested to Snapon.

That’s all speculation and inferences based on ten minutes of internet searching.

There’s a small Facebook presence, but I haven’t joined. They seem to be interested in the classic Sun machines of the fifties.

It would be really cool to see a video of one of those 1930s machines in action.

 

[Wrench97]

Wasn't the first ODB1 readers simply codes and nothing more, (as well as early ODBII)? Seems like the cost went down pretty quick to next to nothing.

Might have been hard to make the jump.

There was limited data and a couple actuation tests, the ECM's had no memory once the key was turned off all codes disappeared.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Snap-On Diagnostics originally was a company named Balco. Their original products were electronic wheel balancers, thus the name “Balco” shortened from “balancer company” and after Snap-On acquired them in the 80’s the automotive diagnostics market developed. Balco was based in San Jose, California right in the middle of Silicon Valley so they had the workforce readily available to develop the tools and software for these new products needed by the industry to work on modern vehicles.

 

[Jack_K]

Basically all new products after the acquisition by Snap-on were branded Snap-on or at least Snap-on designs branded as Sun. Sun seems to have become just a name instantly.

For Sun Europe, apparently they bought themselves during the Snap-on acquisition. That's why they still exist over there. Sun Europe had already been making their own unique models in the Netherlands and UK alongside the European versions of the American machines. They made a lot of small portable test equipment as I guess the market in Europe demands smaller machines due to smaller workshops.

Here in Australia, the Sun name was kept, Snap-on wouldn't have been such a well known name here. The business was registered as SUNTESTER (AUST.) PTY LTD since 1969 until 2000 when the name changed to SNAP-ON SUN TECH SYSTEMS. The business was deregistered in 2003.

Snap-On Diagnostics originally was a company named Balco. Their original products were electronic wheel balancers, thus the name “Balco” shortened from “balancer company” and after Snap-On acquired them in the 80’s the automotive diagnostics market developed. Balco was based in San Jose, California right in the middle of Silicon Valley so they had the workforce readily available to develop the tools and software for these new products needed by the industry to work on modern vehicles.

Snap-on produced many scopes well before the acquisition of Balco in 1991. It would be interesting to see some Balco catalogues from before then. All I've seen from Balco are balancers and wheel aligners.

 

[zimman]

Late to the party.
Sun is still in business and making diagnostic machines.
They're just not as wide as your garage.
Zim

Welcome to SUN​

Being the most valued productivity solutions provider in the world
Founded as Sun Electric in the United States back in 1931 the company was quickly well established in the automotive industry with equipment for analysis of ignition systems. After the introduction of Sun products in Europe and Germany they also extended their success to those overseas territories.
In 1993, when acquired by Snap-on Inc., the world's largest supplier of tools and equipment solutions for the automotive repair industry, Sun remained a strong and significant brand within the Group.


Today Sun is a synonym for high-quality diagnostic and information systems in the automotive business. As system partner and technology leader Sun holds a top rank in this field of business.
Targeted know-how transfer, modern innovative services and the strengthening of the position especially of independent workshops are the company’s goals for the years to come. It is the customer who is the focus of all activities. Internal procedures and logistics are tailored to suit the requirements of motor-service shops.

 

[Wrench97]

Late to the party.
Sun is still in business and making diagnostic machines.
They're just not as wide as your garage.
Zim

Welcome to SUN​

Being the most valued productivity solutions provider in the world
Founded as Sun Electric in the United States back in 1931 the company was quickly well established in the automotive industry with equipment for analysis of ignition systems. After the introduction of Sun products in Europe and Germany they also extended their success to those overseas territories.
In 1993, when acquired by Snap-on Inc., the world's largest supplier of tools and equipment solutions for the automotive repair industry, Sun remained a strong and significant brand within the Group.


Today Sun is a synonym for high-quality diagnostic and information systems in the automotive business. As system partner and technology leader Sun holds a top rank in this field of business.
Targeted know-how transfer, modern innovative services and the strengthening of the position especially of independent workshops are the company’s goals for the years to come. It is the customer who is the focus of all activities. Internal procedures and logistics are tailored to suit the requirements of motor-service shops.

Not sold in North American or Central American markets, as Sun.

 

[zimman]

Not sold in North American or Central American markets, as Sun.

I never said they were available anywhere. I just said they were making ****.
Zim