The TechPRO Commercial Diagnostic System (VDS1000HD) from MAHLE Service Solutions, powered by JPRO, provides the heavy duty market with the ability to analyze, diagnose and repair commercial vehicles. The VDS1000HD provides more than 54,000 heavy- and medium-duty fault codes with detailed OEM level component and trailer descriptions. The easy-to-use design allows users to view and print log files, obtain fault management information, store and save data and review total vehicle health status. The TechPRO VDS1000HD automatically detects all the components that are custom installed in a commercial vehicle, so technicians do not have to scramble to find this information to greatly simplify the repair process. The VCI1000HD adapter is fully RP1210c and J1939 type 2 compliant so technicians can connect with other OE software systems. In addition, the VDS1000HD offers expansive bi-directional capabilities such as manual regens, cutout tests and idle shutdown enable/disable.
The Review
Sometimes a customized maintenance inspection is in order. When a diagnostic scan tool can assist in this task -- and do it with ease -- that tool becomes an asset to the shop. That was the experience of Barry Hoyland, owner of VSSCA in Las Vegas, when he tested the MAHLE TechPro 1000HD. Hoyland said the heavy duty scan tool provided him with complete information of all of the supported system modules on the many heavy duty trucks he used it on. He appreciated that he could access all modules with a single tool.
Hoyland put the TechPro 1000HD to work performing module scans on Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt and Volvo vehicles. He also used the tool for DPF status and manual regen on Volvo and Freightliner, as well as engine applications with Volvo, Paccar, Detroit and Cummins.
“The ability to perform specific aftertreatment tests -- such as pressure tests and DEF measurements -- along with a visual dashboard of the system, makes aftertreatment diagnosis and maintenance very easy,” he says.
Hoyland says setup of the heavy duty scan tool was quick and straightforward: “After you download the software on your laptop (about five minutes on my laptop) registering the tool only takes a few minutes.”
“This was one of the easier scan tools I have used,” says Hoyland. “The tool navigates very quickly between screens, and has most of the information you need to start your diagnostic procedures on the home screen.”
The kit arrived in a blow-molded case with all of the cables necessary to connect to most HD truck and trailer applications. The kit includes a quick-start guide. Hoyland says the website has additional user information, but notes if a technician has previous scan tool experience “the tool is very user friendly, thanks to the layout of the home screen.”
In addition to the intuitive layout with main menu and information on the home screen, Hoyland appreciated that he could utilize information on multiple platforms. “[I like] the menus for aftertreatment systems and the ability to navigate through the tool to manufacture specific applications, either on the laptop or on the web.”
Hoyland could not find a negative feature in the TechPro 1000HD, and did not have any suggestions for improvement.
“The ease of use and the amount of information available on the tool is outstanding,” says Hoyland. “The bi-directional capabilities are great, and the navigation to obtain specific module information is easy to use.”
