Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. has released the CONSULT-III, (*1) a hand-held diagnostic testing equipment for servicing Nissan in-vehicle electronic systems, with the aim of realising swift and accurate diagnosis and repairs at Nissan dealerships worldwide. The diagnostic tester will be introduced at Nissan dealerships in Japan and other global markets. The progressive launch of the new system will coincide with the release of the new Skyline sedan in Japan in late 2006, and other global markets which sell the Infiniti G35.   Subsequently, the Consult III will be progressively introduced to all of the remaining markets as the next generation of Nissan vehicles are released.

The timely and precise diagnosis of a vehicles problem has become increasingly complex as more intricate electronic hardware is an intrinsic part of new vehicles. There has also been a remarkable increase in the number of computers connected to the vehicle's Controller Area Network (CAN). In the past 5 years, the number of computer systems installed in modern vehicles has doubled from only 8 or so in 2001. The CONSULT-III has been designed to address these complex and advanced in-vehicle electronic devices, maximising diagnostic precision, improving repair time and quality and futher reducing service times and costs for Nissan customers..

The basic diagnostic system is composed of the main unit which is housed in a durable and rugged laptop PC, a wireless vehicle communication interface and wireless measurement interface; the laptop PC and each interface is connected via Bluetooth technology. Through a wireless LAN, this diagnostic system can be connected to the Nissan network in Japan, enabling the dealerships to retrieve information from various sources and display service technology data on the laptop PC.

Swift diagnosis and swift repairs through automated operations

The selection of CAN type as well as the identification of malfunction locations are completely automated, allowing CAN diagnosis to be done 17 times faster than previous method where the diagnostics system needed to be supplemented by the service manuals. Repairs involving reprogramming of the in-vehicle computer can be completed 1.5 to 2.5 times faster with the new system.

The system is able to perform accurate diagnosis without having to rely on the diagnostic skills of technical staff at the dealership.

With wireless vehicle communication interface, it is possible to check the condition of the vehicle from either (2) inside or outside the vehicle. At dealerships in Japan, it is possible to access the Nissan network to retrieve both the maintenance technology data related to the diagnosis results and spot adequate information on service manual. The dealerships are also able to access their service database and refer to the vehicles maintenance history on the laptop PC.

The diagnostics tool is equipped with various functions including simultaneous self-diagnosis of an entire system, simultaneous data monitor for multiple systems, data recorder, and oscilloscope capability.

New features such as adoption of color-screen and large-screen monitor allow viewing of large amounts of information altogether for enhanced data management.

Through high-speed data update system, it is possible to update map data in approximately 20 minutes with the new CARWINGS navigation system (hard-disk) equipped in the all-new Skyline and other future products.

(1) CONSULT: Computerised On-Board System Universal Tester. CONSULT introduced in 1989, CONSULT-II introduced in 1999. CONSULT-III is 3rd generation model.

(2) Communication distance: radius of 5m approx.