Land Rover test equipment review

[robisonservice]

I get queries all the time about the test systems we use to diagnose Rovers. In response, I decided to write a review of the two principal tools, the Autologic and the T4. You can read it here.

http://www.robisonservice.com/articles/RonR_testsystems.asp

Any comments are welcome. I will revise the article if things are missing or wrong.

One question I will answer in advance is "why don't I include Rovacom?"

The answer is that Rovacom is a one-man company with no tech support to speak of and an unreliable product that is not kept up to date. 7-8 years ago Rovacom had the best tester on the market but Diagnos, who makes Autologic, poured money into development and there is no longer any comparison between the two tools. A Rovacom is at present a weak subset of an Autologic.

The Rovacom Lite is not a full-feature full-line tool and I didn't include it at all.

Those of you with Rovacom gear may or may not agree but I've used them all and that's my experience. I scrapped mine.

The other test system I reviewd is the T4, which is the factory tool.

Some of you will say, :What about the new IDS system?" I will have a review of that soon, but it builds upon T4 and its software, so nothing in this review is obsoleted. IDS is for 2004 model year and newer. Land Rover dealers continue to test vehicles with the system I've reviewed here.

* * * *

In addition, I have listened to those of you wanted more technical content in my articles. Land Rover Lifestyle is going to include more tech content starting next issue, and the RN News will double up the tech articles. The next one is about troubleshooting the Wabco ABS system in Disco II

John Robison

 

[Schlitz]

Thanks John.

Schlitz

 

[rmuller]

Very good article John... now I just need the money and justification to buy both of them

 

[ptschram]

Having had an opportunity to use the T4, the full bolwn testbook and owning a Rovacom-Lite, I can safely say there are things that are easier to do with each of them. Some fo them do things better, some not so well.

Support for Rovacom products is not what American consumers expect of vendors with whom they have spent thousands of dolars with-but, it is the best system for the least amount of dollars.

John-I'll send you an e-mail updating on the saga...

PT

 

[antichrist]

$5-$15,000 That's insane. Use the money to put in a diesel, then you won't need the tool, you'll get better mileage (around 30mpg with the R380) and have a better off-road vehicle.

 

[robisonservice]

$5-$15,000 That's insane. Use the money to put in a diesel, then you won't need the tool, you'll get better mileage (around 30mpg with the R380) and have a better off-road vehicle.

Installing a diesel engine in a late model Disco wil not obviate the need for a test system. If you read the article you will see that most things it's used for are not connected to the engine.

Furthermore, the modern Land Rover diesels are electronically controlled and they too need a sophisticated test system. As do modern diesels from Mercedes and other high end carmakers.

The article is not directed at individuals making choices about servicing one car. It's meant for people who service Rovers professionally, be they clubs or repair shops or dealerships.

 

[robertofollia]

Great article, John,

 

[ptschram]

Great article, John,

Would have been better had Augusten written it

 

[pjkbrit]

This was very informative...I own an 04 Disco2..I work on all my cars and do the servicing on the 04 even though it's covered by scheduled maintenence because the dealer's service dept. in Mt Kisco, NY is the worst run service facility I have ever seen or experienced...nor fit to repair a Craftsman Lawntractor!!
What concerns me most of all is all the smoke & mirrors that OBDII seems to be all about. If these cars were more efficient than say an 89 3.9 Range Rover, than it'd be worth it....but there has been no progress there...still 15 mpg. The EPA scream emission emissions, the DMV is complicit in designing a ludicrous inspection process and a check engine light means YOU pay $200.00 for sod all....I think the motor trade has effectively re-invented itself a nice little earner....smoke & mirrors!!

 

[robisonservice]

Would have been better had Augusten written it

See if you feel that way when my book comes out, next summer. I decided to write my own story this March. Remember, my brother learned storytelling from me!

 

[antichrist]

Installing a diesel engine in a late model Disco wil not obviate the need for a test system. If you read the article you will see that most things it's used for are not connected to the engine.

Yup, I know. Just another example of how Land Rover continues to move away from serious off-road capable machines. (by "serious off-road capable" I mean vehicles that are designed with field repair in mind)

Furthermore, the modern Land Rover diesels are electronically controlled and they too need a sophisticated test system. As do modern diesels from Mercedes and other high end carmakers.

Yeah, I know that too. That's why I'd never buy one that I couldn't convert to mechanical operation of the systems.

The article is not directed at individuals making choices about servicing one car. It's meant for people who service Rovers professionally, be they clubs or repair shops or dealerships.

I was pretty certain of that, just pointing out what I think is an option that would have much greater payback for anyone considering it as a personal purchace, which I expect are few.