[spudnificient]

Has anyone gotten a license key to activate the Smart portion of the MB diagnostic software. I have a DrewTech passthrough device and was going to get a subscription for the diagnostic software through MB. MB has been great helping me get up and running but Smart is not yet willing to give up the activation key for their portion of the software, despite federal law requiring them to. Has anyone else had any luck? If so, who did you deal with? I don't want to be 'that guy' and send the EPA after them. I've given them two weeks and am at my wits end.

A copy of the law is available at drewtechs website if anyone is interested.
(at very bottom)
support/j2534/intro.html add thet to the address (can't post links yet)

 

[jwight]

...despite federal law requiring them to...

Could be wrong, but I think this law is another urban myth. Same with the "law" that supposedly requires manufacturers to provide maintenance and repair information (manuals.) If those have been enacted, could somebody post the links?

 

[fredthe]

A copy of the law is available at drewtechs website if anyone is interested.
(at very bottom)
support/j2534/intro.html add thet to the address (can't post links yet)

The full link is About PassThru (J2534)
Unfortunately, that only addresses making ECU upgrade software available. It says nothing about making diagnostic software available.

 

[fredthe]

Could be wrong, but I think this law is another urban myth. Same with the "law" that supposedly requires manufacturers to provide maintenance and repair information (manuals.) If those have been enacted, could somebody post the links?

They don't have to provide the software... Here's a recent article on the subject: Mass. considers landmark auto-repair legislation - wtop.com

Federal right-to-repair bills have been offered in every legislative session since 2001 without success.

They do have to provide the service information (i.e. manuals), for a "reasonable" fee. Smart does this through its website... though I'm sure there will be a debate as to how reasonable it is.

 

[jwight]

The full link is About PassThru (J2534)
Unfortunately, that only addresses making ECU upgrade software available. It says nothing about making diagnostic software available.

That's an SAE Standard, which, unless it's called out in a statute (CFR, EPA standard, etc.), does not have the force of law.

As far as service info, manufacturers do provide it but where does it say they have to? Still curious.

 

[fredthe]

That's an SAE Standard, which, unless it's called out in a statute (CFR, EPA standard, etc.), does not have the force of law.

As far as service info, manufacturers do provide it but where does it say they have to? Still curious.

The link to the EPA NPRM is at the bottom of the page... http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2001_register&docid=01-14471-filed

The actual regulations are scattered, the one concerning maintenance info is here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/julqtr/pdf/40cfr86.096-38.pdf

Technically, they only have to provide service info that affects emissions, but that covers a lot.

...Hmm, I think I need to get out of the DC area more...