Fault finding

14 April 2010  

ECLIPSE Automotive Technology has unveiled the Texa TMD Safecar allowing technicians to access fault codes, live data and other diagnostic information remotely from any computer with internet access.

The telematics unit is aimed at vehicle fleets. It combines traditional fleet management functions, such as vehicle tracking, with the ability to manipulate data on any vehicle fitted with the unit via a web connection anywhere in the world.

The unit, which can be used while vehicles are on the road, was debuted by Eclipse at the Workshop 2010 exhibition. Information from vehicles is transmitted via the Vodafone network.

“If a driver phones up his fleet manager and says a dashboard light’s come on, a technician can go online and remotely tell them what’s going on,” said Eclipse technical director David Rees.

“It offers full communications data on ABS, air bags and engine management systems,” he continued.

David said that for safety reasons, some traditional diagnostic functions had been deliberately stripped out of the tool.

“It won’t let you re-programme or activate components remotely. You can’t activate the brakes while someone’s driving the car but otherwise it operates like Texa’s Navigator TXT diagnostic tool.”

Versions of the Safecar unit for trucks and trailers are also available.