motdave
Nominated Tester
Posts: 242
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Post by motdave on Feb 3, 2006 21:56:42 GMT
Has anyone successfully registered a Ford Ka in the VSI database ?
Everytime I have one in, I narrow it down to numerous posibilities that make it impossible to select the correct vehicle.
I think every Ka I've had, I have had to select the basic details then hit the 'RETURN' button!
I wonder how many would have had Recall Notices that haven't been viewed ?
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spanner
Nominated Tester
Posts: 191
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Post by spanner on Feb 3, 2006 22:24:16 GMT
Had no problems as yet but only done a handfull. What seems to be the problem to match?
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motdave
Nominated Tester
Posts: 242
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Post by motdave on Feb 3, 2006 22:34:47 GMT
Had no problems as yet but only done a handfull. What seems to be the problem to match? The Model Year gives numerous possibilities that all cover similar year ranges. The Model Type never seems to match anything on the vehicle. A long list of possibilities is presented.
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spanner
Nominated Tester
Posts: 191
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Post by spanner on Feb 3, 2006 22:52:56 GMT
Your Talking about half the cars on the data base there dave not just the Ka.
Never have much success choosing YEAR so tend to leave that until i run out of options for simply too many to choose from and it can make selecting a model limited. I quite often have to clear my search and start again on a different route to find a match on the VSI. Pain in the but at times but usually find what im looking for with exception of a few I gave up on and hit Abort VSI search
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motdave
Nominated Tester
Posts: 242
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Post by motdave on Feb 3, 2006 23:00:54 GMT
The manual states:
"If you made some selections but have not been able to identify the specific vehicle: 1. Complete as much information as you can 2. Select the Return (F12) button.
This passes the information you chose back to the 'Identify Vehicle' screen."
Selecting Abort VSI Search (F4) doesn't...
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Roger
VTS Site Manager
Posts: 46
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Post by Roger on Feb 3, 2006 23:38:07 GMT
Model year
I always read this as...
the year used to designate a discrete vehicle model, irrespective of the calendar year in which the vehicle was actually produced or registered
Which means the new Fabia model year 07 will be out in the Autumn 06.
If this is the case with VSI then unless you are a real petrol head then differentiating between model years will be tricky and using the VRM as a guide is no help.
The makers of VSI need to give a clear definition of how to interpret and use Model Year.
-- Roger
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motdave
Nominated Tester
Posts: 242
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Post by motdave on Feb 3, 2006 23:44:35 GMT
The Ford Ka gives Model Years something like 2001-2004, 2002-2003, 2001-2003, 2002-2004
Selecting each one in turn for a 2002 model just produces automatic selection of the Model Type.
But, as the Model Type is not shown anywhere on the vehicle, then I cannot find An Exact Match so I select all the correct details that I can and hit 'Return (F12)'.
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Rob
Nominated Tester
Posts: 279
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Post by Rob on Feb 4, 2006 0:23:57 GMT
When I entered the details for a 1996 VW Polo today, I clicked on the model as "L 5 Door", and it still listed GL models in the choices. What's that all about?
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Roger
VTS Site Manager
Posts: 46
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Post by Roger on Feb 4, 2006 9:55:52 GMT
When I entered the details for a 1996 VW Polo today, I clicked on the model as "L 5 Door", and it still listed GL models in the choices. What's that all about? I'm glad this thread has turned from Ka issues into a general examination of VSI because VSI is one area of the system that needs a rethink. It looks like they are doing it since in Matters of Testing (issue 30) there is a discussion on VSI and they say they are trying to make it more friendly. Being friendly is not the issue, I can easily cope with something unfriendly that does an excellent job. It is absolutely CRAZY to list all the variants of say a Golf (900+ last time I did a VSI). I would accept this if each variant had different testing requirements, but do you test a GL different from an L and wouldn't a single selection of generic Golf be suitable along with several that had specific testing requirements. I just wonder if there are other reasons for wading through all this data, such as building up vehicle profiles for another departments benefit. I don't care much for VSI and would have designed it better, i.e. testing orientated. Note: I'm not a tester and it could be quite possible that VSI as it stands is an excellent tool, in which case it's about time I moved on. -- Roger Reason for Editing: note added.
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Post by Admin on Feb 4, 2006 20:47:37 GMT
I tried the Ford Ka example today, and can't narrow it down past 18 possible matches!
Step 1 Manufacturer: Ford Model: Ka This automatically sets the transmission as Manual, and Fuel Type as Petrol. 143 selected.
Step 2 Model Type: (3DR) Body Type automatically set as 3 DOOR SALOON. 132 selected.
Step 3 Engine Size 1.3 Cylinder Capacity set as 1299. 126 selected.
Step 4 Engine code A9. 36 selected.
Step 5 Select Emissions Requirement as CAT/FWD: KA ENGINE TYPE DURATEC 8V - 1.3L ENGINE CODE A9 (Eliminating the Non-Pass Vcl) 18 selected
Then left with Model Year:
9/1996 to 12/9999, 9/1999 to 9/2000, 7/1999 to 12/1999, 5/1998 to 8/1999, 3/1999 to 12/9999, 4/1999 to 4/2000, 4/1999 to 7/2000, 3/2001 to 12/9999, 1/1999 to 7/2000, 7/1999 to 7/2000, 10/2000 to 12/9999, 10/1999 to 10/2000, 8/2000 to 8/2001, 4/2000 to 4/2001, 2/2000 to 12/9999.
and Model Type:
(3dr), Aquamarine Frost Ltd Edn (3dr), Black (3dr), Blue (3dr), Citrus Gold Ltd Edn (3dr), Collection (3dr), Collection Blue Ltd Edn (3dr), Collection Silver Ltd Edn (3dr), Collection Sun Ltd Edn (3dr), Copper Ltd Edn (3dr), Eclipse Ltd Edn (3dr), Green Ltd Edn (3dr), Luxury (3dr), Millenium Ltd Edn (3dr), Now Ltd Edn (3dr), Pacific Green Ltd Edn (3dr), Silver Ltd Edn (3dr), Style (3dr).
It is not possible to select the Year, as many dates overlap. If the Model Type isn't shown on the vehicle, then an exact match is impossible to find. Selecting (3dr) doesn't eliminate any options, as they are all 3dr!
This VSI issue is not only with the Ford Ka. I have just reported on results of my search here as this is the vehicle model that 'MOTDAVE' originally posted his query on.
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rebel
Nominated Tester
Posts: 32
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Post by rebel on Feb 4, 2006 23:08:05 GMT
When I've had this problem, I just enter all known information and then select the default emissions test option.
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Post by Dave Hill on Feb 5, 2006 23:21:25 GMT
I think it was someone on here that said: -
"If I haven't found a match within two minutes then I hit the Abort VSI button"
I have adopted this approach & it usually ends up with all the correct data already logged fro the vehicle.
I had a Vectra in on Friday for its first test & I narrowed it right down to about three. I was left with a choice on engine code & as I couldn't read it due to corrosion I went to hit the Abort. A fellow tester suggested that I ring the dealer with the details. I said, "Sod that. Do you think I have got the time to waste collecting data that is probably already there”?
Cheers!
Dave Hill
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motdave
Nominated Tester
Posts: 242
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Post by motdave on Feb 5, 2006 23:43:35 GMT
I think it was someone on here that said: - "If I haven't found a match within two minutes then I hit the Abort VSI button" I have adopted this approach & it usually ends up with all the correct data already logged fro the vehicle. I had a Vectra in on Friday for its first test & I narrowed it right down to about three. I was left with a choice on engine code & as I couldn't read it due to corrosion I went to hit the Abort. A fellow tester suggested that I ring the dealer with the details. I said, "Sod that. Do you think I have got the time to waste collecting data that is probably already there”? Cheers! Dave Hill Dave, if you have found some details for the vehicle, then you should hit the RETURN (F4) button. The ABORT VSI (F12) is meant for when the Make & Model don't exist. When you ended up with 3 options left for the Vectra, were they the emissions test requirement box ? If you follow the emissions test flowchart in the Testers Manual, you can usually get your match. If you couldn't read the engine code, you should have selected 'XXXXX'.
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spanner
Nominated Tester
Posts: 191
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Post by spanner on Feb 6, 2006 8:00:13 GMT
Agree with that, if your stuck only on the engine code then I pick the XXXXX option. If I can't get the model to match due to it not being on the list I choose Abort and as Dave hill said the correct data is already there. Only doing as I was told to do but then again we all seem to get different information on what to do by our area offices. Think it's about time VOSA pulled finger out and started banging some heads within they're own staff. Shall try RETURN button next time see what difference it makes out of curiosity.
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Post by Dave Hill on Feb 6, 2006 21:27:30 GMT
Thanks Dave & Spanner
I shall mess around with the options to see what happens. Its very user freindly this computer system hey!
Thanks
Dave Hill
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Tom
Nominated Tester
Posts: 227
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Post by Tom on Feb 12, 2006 0:02:41 GMT
It is absolutely CRAZY to list all the variants of say a Golf (900+ last time I did a VSI). I would accept this if each variant had different testing requirements, but do you test a GL different from an L and wouldn't a single selection of generic Golf be suitable along with several that had specific testing requirements. I just wonder if there are other reasons for wading through all this data, such as building up vehicle profiles for another departments benefit. We managed pretty well with the pre-computerisation method. The wallcharts provided the vehicle brake test weight, and there weren't different weights for L, GL, etc. The testers manual flowchart showed us which emissions limits to apply. As for vehicle recalls, what has that got to do with us ? It's down to VOSA & DVLA to inform the vehicle keeper of any issues. Yes, I agree that there is another motive behind the very specific vehicle data collection. Once the database has been compiled, it will no doubt be sold on...
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