Like many auto repair professionals, I’ve relied on Snap-on scanners for years. Starting back in 2000, my trusty Solus Pro (currently at version 7.2) has generally been a dependable piece of equipment, consistently delivering on its promises for vehicle diagnostics. However, recently I’ve encountered a growing frustration: an increasing number of vehicles are showing a “no communication” error when I connect my scanner. This isn’t just an occasional issue anymore; it’s becoming a significant roadblock in my daily work.
Initially, sporadic communication failures were brushed aside as anomalies, the odd vehicle here and there that wouldn’t cooperate. But over the last month, it feels like every other car I plug into presents a communication problem. This prompted me to consider a software upgrade, hoping that the latest version would resolve these persistent issues. My dealer attempted the upgrade, but faced difficulties with my current unit. They kindly lent me a demo unit with a newer software version (I believe it’s 10.2) while mine was sent away for updates.
Unfortunately, even with the supposedly updated software, the communication problems persist, particularly with newer Renault models, among other makes and models. I’ve already eliminated potential causes like faulty leads or keys, ensuring those components are not the source of the issue. This leaves me questioning whether proceeding with the software upgrade is the right course of action, or if my money would be better invested in a supplementary scan tool, perhaps a Launch scanner.
Interestingly, in an attempt to troubleshoot and ensure the vehicle itself wasn’t the problem, I invested in a budget-friendly Sealey OBD scan tool for around £50. Surprisingly, this basic tool successfully communicated with all the vehicles that the Snap-on Solus Pro failed to connect to. This observation strongly suggests the issue lies within the Snap-on scanner’s communication capabilities with certain vehicles, rather than a fault in the vehicles themselves.
Therefore, I’m reaching out to the community to see if other Snap-on scanner users are experiencing similar “no communication” problems. Has anyone else encountered this issue, especially with recent software versions? And more importantly, does anyone know of any settings or adjustments within the Snap-on system that might help overcome these communication barriers? Any insights or assistance would be greatly appreciated, as I’m increasingly frustrated with the time wasted trying to get my Solus Pro to simply connect and communicate with vehicles it should be compatible with.
