Aftermarket March 2023

Mark added: NGK’s range includes the most popular EGTS types from NTK, each of which is identical to the respective OES part. Taken together, they offer a perfect sensor for brands that include Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ford, Renault, SEAT, Skoda and VW.” For more information, visit: www.ngkntk.com/uk Protected You need to be able to access systems, as Repairify Innovations Director Martin Pinnell-Brown observed: “Cars that come off the production line are packed with electronic systems that manage everything from parking sensors to the amount of power the engine produces. These systems are protected by secure gateways to stop people from hacking into the vehicle. However, they also stop aftermarket tools from running diagnostics to find issues in areas such as the engine management system, denying a technician the ability to complete calibration to fix the problem. Protecting the electronic systems through secure gateways means it could lead to workshops specialising in specific brands to ensure they can carry out the work rather than offering a one size fits all approach when it comes to diagnostics and calibrations.” “To enable businesses to run diagnostics and complete calibrations, Repairify’s advanced tools and services provide garages and bodyshops with access to every OEM manufacturer diagnostic tool, supported by a fully certified technician who can assist remotely without the business having to buy the tools itself.” Then there is training, as Martin noted: “While tools are important, it is also key that businesses invest in relevant training courses for employees. These courses may take the technician off the floor for a period, but they will provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to run diagnostics, identify the issue, complete calibrations and, where appropriate, source replacement parts to ensure the vehicle can go back on the road safely as 38 AFTERMARKET MARCH 2023 VEHICLE ELECTRONICS AND ENGINE MANAGEMENT www.aftermarketonline.net quickly as possible. In addition, as part of its full-service offering, Repairify can provide bespoke training courses for workshops or individuals designed to fulfil their needs and help upskill the workforce to be ready for the future.” Specific You need to make sure you have the right parts, as DENSO Europe Pan European Strategic Marketing Manager Fatiha Laauich observed: “Although it is possible for two OE parts to look identical, engine management systems (EMS) components are usually developed for a specific engine architecture, so each might have different functional behaviour. Examples of these invisible, yet crucial, differences include a different pinout on the connector, different internal components and distinctive firmware loaded into the electronics. Many aftermarket suppliers offer more generic EMS products that are aimed at a wide range of applications, but this can be risky and this approach means that they can fail to match the OE specification. Sometimes this is noticeable because of poor fitment, but even when it’s not, other problems can develop over time, such as higher fuel consumption, increased exhaust emissions or poor engine performance. These can lead to further complications, like causing the engine to stall or only allowing it to operate in ’limp-home’ mode. However, as one of the world's foremost pioneers and an OE EMS manufacturer, DENSO pays a great deal of attention to optimising its parts for specific applications to ensure better overall performance, efficiency and long-term reliability.” Contribution DENSO's EMS aftermarket product range includes cam and crankshaft position sensors, exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensors, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves, ignition coils, fuel pumps, manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensors, mass air flow (MAF) sensors and Lambda sensors. On DENSO’s contribution to engine management, Fatiha said: “DENSO developed the world's first EGR valve with an integrated air intake throttle valve. This EGR combination valve is half the size of conventional models, reducing weight which is key in the down-sized engines of today. In addition, DENSO launched the world's first plug-in type MAF meter inserted into the intake pipe wall, reducing the size and weight, as well as aiding installation. DENSO was also the first to introduce quantitative measurement to lambda sensors, enabling them to sense both if the air/fuel mixture is too lean, or too rich, and by how much. DENSO EMS products are fitted as OE by many of the world's leading vehicle manufacturers and its aftermarket range meets the same quality standard as its OE products.” Reliability When it comes to vehicle electronics, according to Matthew Smart, Head of Electronics at HELLA, like-for-like replacement components is the way to go: “The combined effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, supply issues and the war in Ukraine, have all contributed to the decline in new car registrations, the rise in second-hand values and the increasing age of the vehicle parc. As a result, motorists are spending more on their present vehicles to keep them running reliably, and that’s good news for the aftermarket.” Above: NTK camshaft & crankshaft sensors The demand for today’s vehicles to be even more economical and environmentally- friendly…makes it even more vital for workshops to fit the right sensors ”