Date:         Sun, 6 Mar 2005 20:07:14 -0500
Reply-To:     Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Auto Tech Computer disk for Vanagon- Any good?
In-Reply-To:  <ivsm21188inue9r6pan1e92o1fpud0caa5@4ax.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Figuring that the price was no more than one would spend on a couple of
trips to Starbucks, I decided to download it to see what the fuss was about.

It might be somewhat helpful to someone who doesn't even know how to
check the oil ... and wants to get some idea about a problem prior to
taking it to a mechanic.  Beyond that it's pretty lame.

I "Profiled" my '85 Vanagon and ran through a number of possible
problems.  The profiling didn't seem to do much as far as addressing
that specific vehicle.  It even made reference to a PCV valve, an EGR
valve, and a cold start valve and we all know that an '85 doesn't have
those things.  When diagnosing problems, it asked if my vehicle had
certain features that were not available on vanagons.  When it told me
to check the brake fluid, it directed me to open the hood.

It didn't address the Vanagons unique cooling system.  After "Profiling"
it still had to ask if the vehicle had an electric fan or not.

The part about checking spark plugs did little more than have one make
sure they had some.  It didn't give any information about what
coloration (or discoloration) might actually mean.  It wants you to
"Note" it, though.

For each profiled vehicle, there is a place to input what repairs are
made, the cost, by whom, warranty period, etc.  It has the capability to
   record 40 repairs.  Heck, I do that many on mine during some months
... heheheheh.  Setting up a simple data base on your own will do a much
better job.

Bottom line?  The Vanagon List is a FAR better resource.  I'd say that
99% of the list members would find this program totally useless.

Mike
'84 GL 7 pass
'85 GL Westy
'00 Beetle