By Jim Ruen, Contributing Editor
"We offer diagnostic solutions for commercial vehicles, agricultural vehicles, off-highway (construction) equipment, and marine equipment," says Isidro Flores, Cojali USA. "We started in Spain 20 years ago and are now active in 115 countries. Our diagnostics are used by owner/operators, fleet managers and repair shops, including some OEM service technicians."
Based in Spain, the company brings knowledge from diagnostic systems in Europe and elsewhere to the U.S. and Canada. Now you can bypass corporate firewalls on fault codes and other information needed to fix electronic control unit-based systems.
Some North American OEMs continue to resist Right to Repair laws. Fault code information or the diagnostic tools needed to find and troubleshoot faults is not available to users in the U.S. and Canada. However, these same companies have been required to share or sell access to this information elsewhere.
"We have been able to take advantage of multiple communication protocols to talk to a vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) and develop our own language," says Christian Palomanes, Ag Diagnostic Sales, Cojali. "In some cases, we have been able to use experience from working with European and Asian vehicles."
As a result, Cojali can provide electronic sensor information and access for more than 80 brands of tractors and other agricultural equipment.
"Our customers can do complete diagnostics of error codes, actuation of components and calibrations, parameter settings and system scans," says Flores.
All an operator needs are a laptop and a Jaltest kit specific to the preferred market segment. Each kit consists of cables, a Jaltest Link interface module and the designated system software.
From set up to utilization, use of the kit is extremely intuitive, and diagnostic information is easily accessed. Once the software is installed on the laptop, the operator selects the brand and model. The rest is easy.
"The screen displays all the different control modules on that specific model, where the ECU is located, and which pin connector cable is required," says Palomanes.
At that point, the operator can view any recorded fault codes, troubleshoot them, fix and clear the fault code. "Troubleshooting is a step-by-step guide to fixing the fault code," explains Palomanes. "It takes the operator through schematics to images hyperlinked to detailed points."
He adds that troubleshooting and accessing vehicle technical data does require internet connection. Throughout the process, the system makes it easy to grab images of the screen. Using the internet connection, these images, as well as any reports generated, can be uploaded to the cloud or to co-workers/employers or designated others, such as fleet managers.
The diagnostic system may be as effective at avoiding faults as it is at fixing them. Engine load profile provides useful information about the life of the tractor, rpm's, compression, miles and hours it has run.
"While running the engine, you can check all the specifications, such as engine and crankshaft speeds, or look at operating pressure, temperature, volumes and time," says Palomanes. "Data can be displayed in multiple ways from schematics to graphic images. You can see on the screen how the fuel system works and actuate components like the fuel pump and alter the fuel supply to different cylinders."
Palomanes adds that staying on top of new components and models is a challenge. The company releases 3 software updates each year to update Jaltest users to new innovations in the market.
"It can take us from 6 to 9 mos. to analyze material needed on a new model," he says.
Palomanes notes that some OEM dealerships use the Jaltest system to complement their own OEM licensed diagnostics. "CNH dealers have access to only one diagnostic unit under their OEM system," he explains. "Our tool allows them to cover a wider range of vehicles and systems. A single license can be used on up to 3 different laptops and be taken to the field."
Another benefit comes with brands that use an engine from a second brand and a transmission or other system from a third brand. "Dealers may have diagnostics for the engine, but not for the transmission," says Palomanes. "They come to us, because we have both."
The Jaltest system consists of hardware, software and a use license. Initial setup for AGV diagnostics is around $3,900 for all 3 components. Pricing for other units vary, and reduced pricing is available when purchasing multiple packages.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Cojali USA, 2200 N.W. 102nd Ave., # 4B, Doral, Fla. 33172 (ph 305 960-7651; toll free 800 975-1865; isidro.flores@cojaliusa.com; www.cojaliusa.com).