Protected access at FCA Group
You may have seen this term before, but if it's unfamiliar to you, SGW or Security Gateway is a security feature of the FCA Group, which carmakers have started adding to their vehicles since about 2018, typically for brands such as Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Chrysler and others. What does the feature actually do? It causes a nightmare for all mechanics and workshop enthusiasts alike. Okay, now we're going to get serious.
This element actually prevents you from accessing and tampering with any of the control units in the vehicle, so you are usually then referred to authorized repair shops that can easily bypass this access. Is there any solution at all apart from an authorised service? The answer is, YES.
We know of a total of 3 options
- Buy a suitable diagnostic with SGW unlocking support
- Use SGW Bypass
- Visit an authorized service center
Diagnostics with SGW unlock support
Yes, this looks like the easiest option and in fact it is. We will demonstrate the procedure on a Launch brand instrument. The new models of Launch diagnostics that you will find in our range already have this feature available, they can pass through the SGW protection element without you having to disassemble, disconnect or troubleshoot anything. If you own one of our diagnostics, you must additionally register the device on the AutoAuth website where you fill in your details, register the device and pay for the license, because whenever you come across a car with this protection element and try to diagnose or service it, it will prompt you to log in and thanks to the registration with AutoAuth the device will let you continue to work without restrictions. This additional license comes out to $50 per year. If you want to include the Nissan brand in the license, the cost is then $100. However, you must set up the registration correctly, which we will be happy to help you with.
- Go to the AutoAuth website
- Create an account
- Log in to your account
- Under the "Compare Plans" tab, select the plan of your choice, for our purposes AutoAuth Standard will suffice.
- Register your instrument on the "Manage Tools" tab
- Save everything and you are ready to work without limitations.
- For diagnostics or service tasks that are protected by SGW, the instrument will prompt you to log in. Just log in with the details you have registered on the AutoAuth page and you will be able to do everything without restrictions.
SGW Bypass
The second option is a solution in some situations, but we can't recommend it directly. This is because it compromises the security integrity of the car. In addition, it is a physical intervention into the vehicle, where you are forced to disassemble most of the dashboard or at least the driver's side of the car to get to the SGW module, which is located in each vehicle differently, which you then disconnect and "bridge" using the SGW Bypass, and thus effectively disable the security feature. After connecting the diagnostics, you will no longer be troubled by the inability to perform diagnostic or service tasks, etc. In case of an emergency, this solution can also make sense
