So what do you do when an ECM is transmitting incorrect data to your live data feed? The VCI only tells you what the control modules interpretation of the electrical signals is, so live data cannot be taken as gospel in a certain instances. Real in depth diagnostics can't be done purely with a plug in computer regardless of how good it is. You need the skills and ability to interpret the data and work out a diagnostics plan. In your response you say that techs aren't undervalued, then go on to say that they can't fix simple faults. Having this viewpoint assures me that you personally undervalue techs, whether through previous bad experiences or ignorance of how things are actually done in a professional workshop.
In a lot of cases main dealer techs don't get the opportunity do do what they do best because management feels the need to step in for many reaaons. Money is the biggest motivator to main dealer management. They crunch the numbers and decide whether it's worthwhile pursuing a fault to effect a repair or write it off as a lost cause. All the customer sees at the end of it is a vehicle that still has a fault, and more often than not the failure to fix the fault is attributed to the 'inabilities' of the techs to fix it when in reality they have had their wings clipped for financial/time constraint reasons. Different story where warranties are concerned, but even then a lot of main dealers don't operate as they should. It's rarely the techs fault though.
