Rural/Farm Life

The new cars had computers controlling engine management and AC/heater systems. If you had the correct connecting cables and the Dealer only diagnostic tools you could read the trouble codes and diagnose problems. The thing was ONLY the dealers had the training and the tools to do this so only the dealers could work on the newest cars. This cut out the independent shops and mechanics.(I was one at the time).
As things progressed there began to be a market in diagnostic tools/ software and the model specific connectors required to read the systems. Eventually the big tool companies like Snap-On brought out diagnostic stations and connectors to do it for every car. It made sense for the manufactures not to alienate their customers by retaining such control over how and where individual cars were serviced.

Hopefully John Deere will come to a similar understanding regarding customer relations. But who knows? Greed is a powerful addiction.