Well Spence I will give you my
here but it add up to a buck I am sure.
First of MOD really sucks. It is not user friendly what's so ever and every change they makes it worse. I physically have never used it but have done a trial runs and it is terrible.
Motologic, it is stronger in the Euro vehicles but still difficult to navigate and there are serious loop holes. I did a month worth of it and cancelled the subscription because of missing or wrong info. Shit like that takes you down a rabbit whole quick.
Now lets talk Alldata. I use it as a quick reference material on basic items.
The Pro's:
They have pretty accurate labor guides.
The instructions for tear down and assembly are pretty good.
General information can be found quickly for basic items.
It is normally user friendly when looking for componets and codes.
Library request is usually pretty good and through.
Cons:
The search engine is ok to say the least. Major searches will reveal what you are looking for, but lacks in a lot of area's.
Wire diagrams are scanned from the OE, but they are not always accurate and are wrong 25% of the time. Especially when dealing with Chrysler, GM and Euro's. Non of the hyper links work on OE diagrams.
Connector locations are not always accurate and can bounce you around in all data.
They do not list all the PIP & PIT for GM products or all the SSM etc on the Fords. I can go on and on about this subject.
There is a lot of descriptors missing when it comes to circuit operation of modules. The newer the vehicle the worse it is and it pisses me off.
They finally have fixed the issue with their wire diagrams when viewing them. What is mean is at first they all would be sides ways and you would have to print out the diagram to read it up right. Now after years of complaining the finally have an auto rotate as a feature.
All in all Alldata is pretty user friendly and as a quick reference I use it a lot.
Now let's talk Identifix.
They are up and coming. Besides people using it for spoon feeding and a golden egg to which to fix vehicles. It really has some strong vantage points.
Cons:
Can be slow at times due to so many users and the back button does not always work the greatest.
Labor guides are not always the greatest and seen far depending on the job.
Pro's:
They have one heck of a search engine. I can type in a connector and it will bring everything up on this connector and everything is right there at my finger tips.
Descriptors are really good and are easier to find than Alldata.
Most hyperlinks works and are very useful.
The wire diagrams are usually 95% right. Have found a few flaws here and there.
When you type in the search engine block an item it will normally populate all the information related to what you are looking for.
They also have colored wire diagrams which you are used to looking at as in MOD.
All in all when it comes to serious service information they are my go to site for diagrams, connectors and componets locations.
Now, both of these providers really compliment each other and I use them hand in hand. There have been times I have thought of canning Alldata, but have not come to this point yet. Many shops in my area have canned them and are sticking with Identifix.
The issue I have with this is the other shops(very reputable shops I might say) call all the time and ask me questions because they are using the spoon feeding side and not their head to learn.
Now, with all this being said. I am an OE site guy as well. There are numerous occasions whereby I have to get more detailed information which you will never find on any of the aftermarket websites. This information is invaluable and takes you a step above when looking for weird shit like it have a tendency to do
When using OE tooling the manufactures have done a lot of improvements and linking of the tooling to the SI is sweet to say the least. These are area's to be explored and exploited in a later thread or conversation.
OE website normally have more information on special messages as well and this needs to be factored into the equation when dealing with vehicle's.
I will give you an example of a rabbit hole just recently occurred at my shop and mind you I was pissed and let Alldata have it with a phone call.
I just looked and they have not fixed it yet after a week. Good support there
2012 Chevy Malibu Eco engine. Look up the fuel pump controls for it on the wire diagrams. Now compare Alldata & Identifix diagrams.
Spence, you probably got more than you bargained for here(my two cent worth), but I know you are a very through individual and take great pride in your work and like to have all the info you can to properly repair & diag the vehicle. Maybe having OE SI is the best way to go. I know it is a lot of $$$ but it is worth it on your major OE's you work on.
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