GM Tech 2 options

[kevm14]

Many of us now own OBD-II GM vehicles. I own some that run on the CAN network. There is an even newer standard that started in 2010 called Global A which will require specific support for. This is not currently an issue.

Here is an option.
http://www.chinacardiags.com/wholesale/ ... -1011.html

$370 shipped direct from China. Vetronix (shameless) clone. Word is if the stickers ship loose like that, it is a clone, because I guess customs won't do anything since it doesn't become counterfeit until the stickers are applied. Or something along those lines. With the CANdi module, it supposedly can do even back to OBD-I stuff, like Tech 1A times, which is cool I guess.

Saab support:
http://www.chinacardiags.com/wholesale/ ... -2709.html

Some short discussion:
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/ca ... ch-ii.html

Ok so I was playing around with my tech2 today. Wanted to check out the TIS2000. Since the tech2 runs on old software I had to setup a virtual machine and download windows XP to be able to download the TIS2000 discs. ( and when I say I ,I had to have my son help me out.) Once all that is done ran into one other problem is that my laptop does not have a serial port to connect the tech2 to it . So there is a fix though, you have to get a usb to serial port converter and then change some settings so the computer knows where to communicate with it at. Remember this is only for re-calibrating a module. Say if you want to change tire sizes and or rear end gears and get your speedometer to read correctly or re program the shift points to match the new gears. The Tech2 still does most things without ever having to connect to the computer. Just a heads up if all you have is a laptop like me and not a full computer.

So I guess TIS2000 is some computer application that does stuff with the tool, but is not required for all operations. Or even most operations.

I have attached the PC requirements. They are hilarious.

[Adam]

I wonder if the PC S/W runs under WINE rather than specifically needing XP (or possibly compatibility mode execution on later Windows versions).

Regardless, I'm in.

[kevm14]

Even splitting this $370 unit between the two of us would be totally palatable.

[kevm14]

I think I might pull the trigger on this much sooner than the LT1 tuning stuff. I need this to figure out what's wrong with my load leveling stuff on the STS. And I think a Tech 2 (hopefully a good quality knock off) will be a good investment, applicable to lots of vehicles. These tools provide diagnostic capability that is impossible any other way, if I am going to continue owning these kinds of vehicles, as they age and accrue mileage.

You still in? I think I would get the CANDi unit and a USB to serial adapter.

A guy on the Cadillac Forum said GM seems to endorse this one and also that he uses it (with his genuine Vetronix tool, FWIW).

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Keysp ... al+adapter

This is needed to update modules. And would also require a subscription to GM's SPS system, which can be had as a 2-day for fairly cheap I guess.

Here's the quote:

You need to use GM's Service Programming System to download the correct calibration into a new EBCM. This can be done by purchasing a 2-day subscription through http://www.acdelcotds.com (Tech2 required). Some modules in the STS are VIN matched, some are not. The Side Blind Zone Alert is (these modules cannot be transferred to another vehicle and reprogrammed), but I don't think the EBCM is. I say this because when I checked out the various options, the system would let me select whether I had F55 or not, along with RWD or AWD. If it was VIN matched, I would have only had the option of F55/AWD. These cars don't use the new Global Architecture at which time GM got really heavily into VIN matching/locking.

Another option is I buy a used ESCM, see if the compressor starts working, then have my local dealer do the calibration/update procedure as applicable. That would cost around $120 I think. But I think I'd rather put that toward a tool...

[kevm14]

You still in? I think I would get the CANDi unit and a USB to serial adapter.

A guy on the Cadillac Forum said GM seems to endorse this one and also that he uses it (with his genuine Vetronix tool, FWIW).

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Keysp ... al+adapter

Not surprised to hear this. This is from Amazon:

I'm sure the OP either already has the answer for this, or has moved on...but I wanted to answer this question for anyone else that might want to know (because it took me quite a while to research all the information for myself).
This device does not use either of the two main manufacturer's chipsets (it's not an FTDI nor a Prolific). Rather, it uses a TI (Texas Instruments) chipset. While those other chipset manufacturers both make some quality chips, the TI USB-->serial chipset seems to be the de-facto standard in maximum compatibility with the widest array of serial device types.

The adapter I got to interface with EBL on my father in law's truck is in fact an FTDI and seemed to work fine, even for flashing. But this TI chipset unit sounds like a cut above, and exactly the kind of thing you'd want for this Tech 2 situation, especially when programming modules.

[kevm14]

Many of us now own OBD-II GM vehicles. I own some that run on the CAN network. There is an even newer standard that started in 2010 called Global A which will require specific support for. This is not currently an issue.

Here is an option.
http://www.chinacardiags.com/wholesale/ ... -1011.html

$370 shipped direct from China. Vetronix (shameless) clone. Word is if the stickers ship loose like that, it is a clone, because I guess customs won't do anything since it doesn't become counterfeit until the stickers are applied. Or something along those lines. With the CANdi module, it supposedly can do even back to OBD-I stuff, like Tech 1A times, which is cool I guess.

Price drop to $309!! We should probably make this happen.

[kevm14]

I think I sorted it out...mostly.

[Adam]

Did you? Sounds like you need the $449 one to do the SRX.

[kevm14]

The $449 one is just a lot with the Tech 2 and MDI. The MDI doesn't interface with the Tech 2. It interfaces with a laptop. MDI is required for Global A. The limitation with their Tech 2, I think, is the pirated TIS2000 database. It should go beyond 2010 for non-Global A cars in fact.

[kevm14]

So like I said I think a Tech 2 is technically good up to anything that isn't Global A. However, the packaged TIS2000 database that comes with this knock-off tool only goes up to 2007. What that tells me, really, is that if I want any module firmware update that was done past 2007 (nevermind the model year issue), I need to get my 2 day subscription to GM SPS. The Cadillac Forum suggested this was possible and has been done. And the chat guy confirmed it, if we trust his answer. So in the case of my ESCM, I'm sure it can program firmware up to releases as of 2007 but if GM updated it past then, I have to pay to access that. I should look at what a 2-day subscription actually costs. If it's like $120, then that kind of sucks because that's what a dealer gets to reprogram a module.

And again, the Tech 2 is old, circa 96. To add CAN, you have to get the CANdi module. You can do scanning and bi-directional control with just those. Programming modules requires a laptop AND the Tech 2.

With the MDI, you cut out the Tech 2 entirely and just have a laptop and the MDI module. I like this as I think the performance of programming goes up and probably the reliability because the module handles more of the data transfer while the laptop just puts the file on it. They also come in WiFi so the laptop doesn't have to be physically plugged in. MDI is supposed to do older cars, too. I'd want a Tech 2 though because having to use a laptop to do EVERYTHING seems like it might suck. On the other hand, a nice small Win 10 tablet might work damn well. And I don't have one. So there's that.

The point is, I think I'd consider MDI later on but I definitely want the scan tool form factor, which MDI does not provide.