I'm detecting a distinct trend in Fiat clamping down / locking out all but Fiat franchised dealers from being able to work with your car.

Fiat have always had a technical website, which is good news.

In the early days if you qualified you could register and did not have to be VAT registered.

Later they enforced VAT registration, claiming new EU security regulations which are without foundation and immediately kill off the UK independent not VAT registered small concern specialists.

They then withdrew the KeyLearn USB Pen Drive workshop manuals and now don't even update those who shelled out good money to purchase these expensive items.

Now, 2018 they are fitting "Security Gateway" modules that basically block all update, active testing, and error code resetting functions unless the Fiat WiTech AND annual expensive subscription license it paid.

Worse still, which now affect Fiat dealers I gather that every technical connection to Fiat servers for updating vehicles has to be done on a vehicle by vehicle basis.

So, when you ask you Fiat dealer to update (for free) your SAT Nav they have to log in, pass security, enter your vehicle details and the download is only valid for your vehicle. 1 Hour to download, 1 hour to update. Previously I gather dealers would download the latest x,y,x for a given model to a USB/WiTech and then just update cars as they came in.

This is very worrying for a number of reasons.

But what really troubles me is a dedicated Fiat owner, supporter, club member, involved as few years ago in direct contact and technical reporting and feedback to Fiat technical, etc. is that based on current experience with a 30+ year old Fiat and other later models Fiat UK and Italy do not have the technical resources or even the ability to support older models.

Up until more recent years of complex computerised systems etc. old model support has been achievable. However with the new regimes in a few years time we could / will have Fiat vehicles that we can no longer support / access.

What is upsetting to me is that although I do all my own work outside of warranty there are many great independent specialists (some not VAT registered) being squeezed out of the market.

So much for the "block regulation" rules of the past.

Now that is really interesting S130. I had an experience, earlier in the year, which might also be of interest. My two year old SEAT Ibiza (it's got the wee 1.0 litre 3 cylinder turbo petrol engine) suffered a wastegate problem with it's turbo which dropped it into limp and brought loads of dashboard lights on. I called SEAT Assistance immediately as I didn't want to invalidate my warranty. The SEAT guy quickly attended and whilst he was diagnosing that the car would need a new turbo (under warranty thank goodness!) We chatted about "SEAT stuff". Quite a lot of the time about diagnostics. As I have VAG-COM (now VCDS), it came up in the conversation. We talked about a lot of stuff, both whilst he was at my house and later as he ran me home from dropping the car off at the dealer, so I'm suffering a bit of overload trying to remember it all. However one thing that did seem to be obvious from what he was saying was that my VCDS was going to be far less capable on the newest cars (my Ibiza being one). I think the problem, for DIYers like us, is that the dealer tools now, if I've understood correctly, need to communicate directly with manufacturer computers etc during procedures. So stand alone tools, like VCDS and, for the Fiat's, Multiecuscan, will be locked out?

Ah well, although I'm loving my new Ibiza (it's been so beautifully indulgent to have a brand new car after years of only being able to afford used ones!) It's been quite a financial outlay which perhaps I should not have allowed myself? However, with the increasing complexity and especially the inexorable onward march of electronic devices, I will almost certainly not buy new again. One advantage of this will be that it will allow me to research the model I'm intending to buy for common defects. The Ibiza's engine is so new there is little info on it so it is only emerging now that this wastegate problem seems to be a bit of an issue and commonly necessitates the replacement of the entire turbo (shed loads of money involved) VAG are now using a modified unit on new builds and replacements - wonder if the old model is still floating around on the parts shelf's?

As you say - Block regulation? PAH!

s130 said:

So much for the "block regulation" rules of the past.

Click to expand...

Should have read "BER - Block Exemption Regulation"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_Exemption_Regulation

Aye chaps, at the end of the day it's all down to the money.

I think it should remembered that the reason for these new "restrictions" is not to stop small companies or owners working on the cars, but to stop people stealing them. The criminals have used vunerabilites in the diagnostic interface to defeat immobilisers and other security. All the problems described are caused by the need for better cybersecurity. Even the "VAT registered only" was intended to allow identification of users and their bona-fides. The unfotunate downside is that it also restricts non authorised service agents from working on the cars.


Robert G8RPI

Certainly on the 500X and I guess the New Tipo and New 124 the vehicles no longer have a security PIN code as such. When key programming and other "security" sensitive things have to be done the vehicle has to be connected to secure Fiat servers via the WiTech / other kit.

Now this is I guess a good thing as it stops/should stop a lot of the bad security risks associated with vehicle theft and hijacking.

In 46 years of Fiat ownership I've never ever needed to use a security PIN code yet, which is the way it should be except for keys, security updates, ECU/engine map updates etc.

Fiat charge eye watering prices for their online technical support services. Depending on what workshop manual "coverage" your require we are talking £2K+. Add ECU updates, parts info, etc. and the annual bill will be in excess of £5000, excluding hardware costs.

Smaller/independent concerns, VAT registered or not, are going to be very hard pressed to be able to justify the cost. Many do multiple manufacturer vehicle support/servicing so the price rockets up accordingly.

Will be interesting to see if the likes of Snap-On will be able to have access past the EOBD Security Gateway Module for their equipment and how much they have to pay FCA for the privilege.