GENERAL. Frequently Asked Questions

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1 GENERAL Why has the StarSCAN diagnostic tool been shipped to my dealership? The new StarSCAN diagnostic tool is presently being delivered to all Dodge Truck Dealers and will be sent to all Chrysler and Dodge dealers by yearend The StarSCAN diagnostic tool is necessary to service the new 2004 Dodge Durango vehicles, as well as the upcoming Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum vehicles. Jeep dealers will receive the StarSCAN diagnostic tool prior to the arrival of the new 2005 Grand Cherokee later next year. Beginning with the Durango, all new Chrysler Group vehicles using CAN (Controller Area Network) bus will require the StarSCAN diagnostic tool in order to communicate with the new generation of onboard electronic control units. These new vehicles utilize highly sophisticated electronic communications that tie the vehicle s computers and components together in an ultra high speed network to improve vehicle operation and reliability. My kit arrived incomplete: where s the StarSCAN Update Kit and the packet of Quick Reference cards? The Update Kit and the packet of Quick Reference cards will be shipped in the Dodge Supplement box, which arrived in dealerships October 13 th, 2003 via the compact mailing. This box will include the first software update for the StarSCAN, release Although the StarSCAN as shipped is capable of talking to the 2004 Durango, it is very important that you update the StarSCAN to release 4.02 before servicing the new 2004 Durango vehicles. Refer to the Off-the-Shelf Items for the StarSCAN section below if you would like information on how to purchase the items in the Update Kit directly from online technology stores or locally in your area. My kit arrived incomplete: where s the StarSCAN How To DVD? The How-To DVD depicted on the Jump Start poster will be shipped independently at a later date. However, the aids that will be on the DVD are presently posted at the StarSCAN website under the training aids page ( Check back over the upcoming weeks as we will be adding more information to this section regularly. My kit arrived incomplete: where s the Recovery Card? You may mistakenly believe that the Recovery Card (CH9407) is missing. Though the Jump Start poster depicts them separately, in fact the 64MB recovery flash card and the PCMCIA adapter (CH9408) are shipped assembled as one piece. 10/21/03 v0.4 Page 1

2 My kit arrived incomplete: where s the Read-Me First and other documentation? The documentation is located in the soft nylon pouch that is attached to the lid of the StarSCAN case. The Jump Start poster advised setting up the network for the StarSCAN scan tool, but when I tried I received a message that this feature is not yet available. When will the networking capabilities of the scan tool be provided? In order to ensure beforehand that the tool s networking features are working properly in all types of dealership environments, we will be piloting the networking portion of the StarSCAN diagnostic tool in representative dealerships starting with the October 4.02 release. Full field deployment will follow shortly behind. I tried to access the Help feature on the scan tool but found that it was disabled. When will this feature be available? The on-tool help system will be made available later this year. In the meantime, this website is a rich source of information, offering animated tutorials and valuable help documentation. What is the red flashing Simulated button that sometimes appears alongside the other icons below the screen title? How do I turn it off? The red Simulated button appears whenever the tool is in a simulated mode of operation. This mode is intended for purposes of demonstration and training only, and isn t intended for live on-vehicle diagnosis. Pressing the button will invoke a dialog box with settings that you can adjust in order to exit simulated mode. What is the Recovery Card? The Recovery Card is for rare emergencies where your StarSCAN tool losses its memory. We do not anticipate that you will need this. If this becomes necessary, follow the instructions on the StarSCAN website in the StarSCAN Tool Recovery Card Instructions document under the Download Center. You should be able to click here to take you to the document: When I set the time it appears to be 4 hours off, why is this? There is a bug in the initial software release of the tool. This will be corrected in the next release. After installing the latest version of Adobe Acrobat to view PDF files on the StarSCAN website, I can no longer print PDF files on DealerCONNECT? DealerCONNECT recommends uninstalling the current version of Acrobat then downloading version 5 from DealerCONNECT>eSupport > Library > Downloads and installing it. You will still be able to view PDF files from the StarSCAN website with version /21/03 v0.4 Page 2

3 SERVICE AREA NETWORKING Does my StarSCAN diagnostic tool need to plug into my network? Not initially. We will be piloting the networking portion of the StarSCAN diagnostic tool in dealerships later this year. We are doing this to ensure that the tool s networking functionality is working properly in dealership environments. Until then information retrieval will be managed via CD-ROM. What kind of networking changes might be needed to support the StarSCAN diagnostic tool? Upon its launch, networking capabilities will not be available on the StarSCAN diagnostic tool. In order to ensure beforehand that the tool s networking features are working properly in all dealership environments, later this year we will be piloting the networking portion of the StarSCAN diagnostic tool in representative dealerships. Once these features are in place, dealerships should be equipped with a local area network (LAN) connection to meet the need for occasional updates to the tool and for flash file and TSB retrieval. And since the StarSCAN diagnostic tool will fully support wireless networking, dealerships should consider wireless as a viable solution to their networking needs. Will wireless networking be supported? Upon its launch, networking capabilities will not be available on the StarSCAN diagnostic tool. We will be evaluating wireless technology using a small pilot in the Detroit area during late The primary technology that we are exploring is b. The g interface cards that we require are currently not offered. This may change in the future. How many drops should I plan for? You will need separate LAN drops for each of the following: Service bay where the StarSCAN diagnostic tool will be used TechCONNECT client Network printer New Co-Pilot+, coming later next year Additional drops for future needs Do I need Internet access from my service bay to use the StarSCAN diagnostic tool? Yes. Once networking is in place, the StarSCAN diagnostic tool must be able to access the Internet to download flash files and files to update the tool, and to retrieve Technical Service Bulletins. Until networking is implemented on the tool, however, retrieval of update and flash files will be managed by CD-ROM's shipped directly to your dealership by DCX. 10/21/03 v0.4 Page 3

4 Will the StarSCAN diagnostic tool connect to the MDS2 (TechCONNECT) for updates? Not directly. Once networking is in place, the StarSCAN diagnostic tool will connect directly to the internet for all updates and file retrieval needs. Until networking is implemented on the tool, however, retrieval of update and flash files will be managed by CD-ROM's shipped directly to your dealership. You will need to place the CD-ROM in a TechCONNECT client, NOT THE CIS SERVER. DATA DISPLAY Can I graph data items? Yes. The StarSCAN diagnostic tool s graphing capabilities are one of its advantages. How many data items can I graph at a time? Anywhere from one to four items. Are custom data displays supported? Yes. Custom data displays are fully supported on the StarSCAN diagnostic tool and may be created, saved, and loaded at any time. Can I move items on a data display? The display order of data items on all of the tool's screens may be easily rearranged by the technician. This feature is in addition to the option of creating custom data displays. Can I print a screenshot of my displays? Screenshots may be easily printed from anywhere within the application. Other printing features for the scan tool will be provided in upcoming releases. DATA RECORDING Is data recording supported? Yes. Data recording is supported on the StarSCAN diagnostic tool. To use this feature refer to the Quick Reference cards. 10/21/03 v0.4 Page 4

5 Will I need to connect to a PC to create a template or display the results? No. It is not a requirement to connect to a PC; instead you will create the template and display the results directly on the StarSCAN. VEHICLE FLASH Is vehicle flash supported? Yes. Vehicle Flash will be supported on the StarSCAN diagnostic tool. Can I save flash files on the StarSCAN diagnostic tool for disconnected use? Yes. Flash files can be saved on the StarSCAN diagnostic tool. Can I share flash files between StarSCAN diagnostic tools? In the future, we plan to allow sharing of files to alleviate the need for repeated downloads from the Internet. Can I store more than one flash file on the StarSCAN diagnostic tool? Yes. The new tool will have significantly more flash memory than its predecessor the DRBIII. OFF-THE-SHELF ITEMS FOR THE STARSCAN Can I purchase some of the items in the StarSCAN kit elsewhere? Yes. To reduce the cost of ownership of the StarSCAN, we used as many off-the-shelf components whenever possible. These components may be purchased directly by the dealership to help reduce your costs. It is very important to use only the specific items listed below to ensure proper operation of your StarSCAN. The items identified below have been tested to ensure compatibility and safe operation with your StarSCAN. Can I purchase the items found in the Update Kit directly? Although the Update Kit (CH9412) is available for purchase from PSE by selecting estore > estore Sites > Pentastar Service Equipment, the items contained in the kit may be purchased directly from other sources. The only replacement items that we can recommend at this time are: USB Memory Device 10/21/03 v0.4 Page 5

6 Lexar Media JumpDrive Portable USB Storage. 128MB. Firmware versions AF, AJ, and AK have been tested. Kingston Memory DataTraveller. 128 MB. Part number: KUSB/128 USB Female A to Mini B Male Adapter USB Adapter A/F - Mini B/M Adapter. Part number: GCUSBAFXM available at Will the StarSCAN accept standard peripherals such as mouse pointing devices and keyboards? Yes. Recommended standard peripherals that have been tested and are known to work on the StarSCAN include: Keyboards: Ortek Technology, MCK-600USB IBM Keyboard, Model # SK-8806, P/N 19K1760 Mouse Pointing Devices: Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical USB, X Belkin F8E201-USB Dell Optical by Logitech, 04P648 Kensington ValueMouse USB 3 Button, Model# Can I purchase the Ethernet cable directly? Yes, the Ethernet cable provided with the StarSCAN kit is a standard 12-foot Cat 5e cable with RJ45 termination. PACKAGING / DURABILITY How well does the StarSCAN diagnostic tool handle shop conditions? Drop tests, fluid resistance, and other durability tests have been performed to ensure that the StarSCAN diagnostic tool is ruggedized and ready for use under normal shop conditions. The larger display screen makes the StarSCAN diagnostic tool slightly more susceptible to damage than the DRBIII, but the advantages of the larger screen far outweigh any potential durability issues. 10/21/03 v0.4 Page 6

7 What will happen if I touch the screen with brake fluid or oil on my hands? Won't the touch screen be ruined? The StarSCAN tool has been designed to operate in a typical shop environment and the touchscreen is damage resistant to most service shop chemicals, but treating it with care will ensure its long life. Use a clean (damp) non-abrasive cloth towel and glass cleaner (such as Mopar Window Cleaner) to clean the touchscreen surface when necessary. Apply the cleaning solution to the towel rather than directly to the touchscreen. Do I need a protective cover for the StarSCAN touchscreen? The StarSCAN touchscreen was selected for its ability to operate successfully in the shop environment. The optical properties of the touchscreen have been carefully matched to the display, the polarizer, and the other optical enhancements present that allow full sunlight readability. Simple cleaning will be sufficient for ensuring a long life. Will the StarSCAN diagnostic tool have a hook? Yes. A hook will be provided as an accessory to enable the technician to place the StarSCAN diagnostic tool in any number of locations on the vehicle. This hook will be shipped directly to your dealership in the near future. TUTORIALS Why won t the tutorials on the dcctools website run on my machine? The tutorials on the page require the Macromedia Flash player be installed on your machine to run properly. You may download the Flash player from the DealerCONNECT website by going to esupport then clicking on the Downloads link. Click on the Flash Player 6 link and follow the instructions for download and installation. 10/21/03 v0.4 Page 7