Is buying a Tech 2 worth it?

[HiHoeSilver]

I ordered mine today... don't have any shipping notice or tracking yet but I'm eagerly anticipating it... started having some issues with my DD (2000 Buick) that could use the assistance of such a tool... asked my wife right after venting my frustrations about the car issues and I didn't even have to convince her about how useful it would be!

Which one did you do? Link?

 

[CountryBoy19]

Which one did you do? Link?

The kit from chinacardiags.com, w/o hardcase, linked previously in this thread. FWIW, when I first looked a few days ago there was a coupon code for 6% off; it wasn't listed today but thankfully I have a photographic memory and I was able to recall the extremely difficult coupon code (code: chinacardiags) and save an extra 6%. My total, with shipping, was $302. It was going to be an additional $52 just to add the hard-case ($26 increase in price, plus another $26 shipping). Messages were very prompt from seller, "Ok, money got, send right away!"

 

[CountryBoy19]

Got my Tech2 today. I was a bit disappointed that it didn't ship out until 4 business days after ordering but dang did it make it across the pond and through customs quick. Shipping info was received tuesday morning, it went through Hong Kong DHL facility Tuesday night, and it was delivered to my BFE rural midwest address mid-day today. Everything was in the box except the TIS2000 USB license key
; I have yet to verify TIS2000 works w/o it. I did NOT have the fit/interference problem with the PCMCIA card fitting in the slot. I simply held the slot open, slid it it, plugged it, and powered it up. GM English 33.004 software version.

I'll play around with it on one of my vehicles tomorrow. I will also see if it works on my Dad's '14 Suburban. Tech2 only goes up to '13 at the latest but I've heard because the '14 Suburbans were essentially the same as the previous model years it should still work on Suburbans.

First things on my list (other than general exploration):
2000 Buick needs remotes matched to it again. After sitting with the battery disconnected for a while at a transmission shop it lost pairing and they can only be paired with Tech2
2000 Buick needs tire size adjusted so speedometer reads right, hoping I can do that.
2005 Yukon XL needs remotes paired properly, both remotes work but they both pull up the same 'Driver 2' seat/mirror/pedal memory positions.
2005 Yukon XL need TPS recalibrated. My ELM327 & app says 18% TPS when it's at idle. I think this may be causing it to downshift early losing a few MPGs in the hills.

 

[swathdiver]

I will also see if it works on my Dad's '14 Suburban.

I've wondered aloud about this too. If it does not work, call it a 2013 and see. I have called mine a Cadillac and a Monte Carlo to access other features before.

If yours is 4WD, select K and not C or you will not see the Transfer Case module and such.

Have fun!

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Got my Tech2 today. I was a bit disappointed that it didn't ship out until 4 business days after ordering but dang did it make it across the pond and through customs quick. Shipping info was received tuesday morning, it went through Hong Kong DHL facility Tuesday night, and it was delivered to my BFE rural midwest address mid-day today. Everything was in the box except the TIS2000 USB license key
; I have yet to verify TIS2000 works w/o it. I did NOT have the fit/interference problem with the PCMCIA card fitting in the slot. I simply held the slot open, slid it it, plugged it, and powered it up. GM English 33.004 software version.

I'll play around with it on one of my vehicles tomorrow. I will also see if it works on my Dad's '14 Suburban. Tech2 only goes up to '13 at the latest but I've heard because the '14 Suburbans were essentially the same as the previous model years it should still work on Suburbans.

First things on my list (other than general exploration):
2000 Buick needs remotes matched to it again. After sitting with the battery disconnected for a while at a transmission shop it lost pairing and they can only be paired with Tech2
2000 Buick needs tire size adjusted so speedometer reads right, hoping I can do that.
2005 Yukon XL needs remotes paired properly, both remotes work but they both pull up the same 'Driver 2' seat/mirror/pedal memory positions.
2005 Yukon XL need TPS recalibrated. My ELM327 & app says 18% TPS when it's at idle. I think this may be causing it to downshift early losing a few MPGs in the hills.

Ugh. Still haven't pulled the trigger on this. Which link did you buy from?

 

[Doubeleive]

I bought mine from this guy in AZ, came with the usb key (for up to 2007) so it was a few bucks more, none of the others had a usb dongle, shipped quick and came as described
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tech2-diag...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[Doubeleive]

there is only 1 left, he must order them about 10 at a time, going fast

 

[CountryBoy19]

I've wondered aloud about this too. If it does not work, call it a 2013 and see. I have called mine a Cadillac and a Monte Carlo to access other features before.

If yours is 4WD, select K and not C or you will not see the Transfer Case module and such.

Have fun!

I figured I would have to call it a '13 to get it to work but we'll see this weekend when we go visit grandma and grandpa. Also agree on the k/c, mine is a k1500.

What sort of other features have you been able to access by calling it a cadillac and monte-carlo?

Ugh. Still haven't pulled the trigger on this. Which link did you buy from?

Chinacardiags.com
When I looked earlier in the week the kit w/o case had dropped $20 in price (to $239 + $59 shipping) but the "chinacardiags" discount code only took 1% off instead of the 6% I received so it only accounted to about $8 cheaper than the price I paid...

ETA, the chinacardiags kit comes with just about every physical adapter you can imagine, Power adapters: 110V US spec wall plug, 12V cigarette lighter plug, & 12V alligator clips plug, Communications adapters: more than I can describe because I don't know what most of them are for. It comes with about 5 different cd's/dvd's, and the icing on the cake, legit-looking "Vetronix" sticker set for the Tech2, CANDI module, etc for those that want to be real posers with their chinese counterfeit Tech2's. The Vetronix stickers even say "Made in USA" on them... haha

 

[swathdiver]

What sort of other features have you been able to access by calling it a cadillac and monte-carlo?

You know I cannot remember! I got the tips from either the Saab or Corvette forums.

 

[widetrackman]

Been watching the thread and also wondering should I get or need a Tech 2. Well, a couple days ago 2008 Tahoe fuel pump went out I think, not sure, so called Chevy dealer here in Oxford, Ms. to get cost to replace; OMG $445 pump, $455 labor + tax = $1,000 -- for a $200-225 Ac Del pump (at Rock or Zone) or it might be a FPCM for approx. $600 which they would have to program eek. So on you guys discussions and recommendations I have one on the way from Chinacardiags. Hope I can figure out how to use it as the only experience I have is with my Snap-On Red Brick only on my Ford FS Broncos. Have never done diagnostics on GMs because I only own one,the Tahoe and as to date never any problems. Thanks for everyone's input to this thread.

 

[swathdiver]

You'll be fine Carl, take your time and don't rush while looking around. Do all the pre-tests to make sure everything is working and then have a look in the Fuel Pump Control Module. Go into F3 Vehicle Control Systems and let it run a scan on all of the modules. Note that some will be listed that may not be installed in your truck. This scan will show you trouble codes in each of the modules. After it runs, go into each module and see what the code is.

 

[widetrackman]

Thanks for the confidance swathdiver. One thing I have not heard if a manual comes on a CD with the unit

 

[swathdiver]

Thanks for the confidance swathdiver. One thing I have not heard if a manual comes on a CD with the unit

All the ones I've seen for sale come with the manual and TIS2000. The manual can be downloaded too.

 

[widetrackman]

Not trying to get to far ahead of myself before I get the Tech 2, after running the module will it show if it is defective?

 

[swathdiver]

Not trying to get to far ahead of myself before I get the Tech 2, after running the module will it show if it is defective?

You mean the fuel pump control module? I'm a little off today, sorry.

 

[CountryBoy19]

Got the chance the play around with mine a bit...

05 Yukon: I can't seem to find how to reprogram keyless remotes with the Tech2... any help? I found a procedure that doesn't require the Tech2 but it doesn't program them for Driver Memory Control from what I understood (which is possibly how mine have been programmed because they both recall Driver 2 settings).
05 Yukon: Playing around changing tire size, in the BCM (IIRC) which I think would control speedometer/odometer readings it won't let me change tire size, says it cannot establish communication with the module, but programming ABS it will let me change tire size... ????
00 Buick: I cannot find where to change tire size at all (this is the one that actually needs it because I'm running a size bigger than stock), but I did find how to reprogram my keyless remotes (didn't do it yet bc my 1 remote must have a dead battery, it wasn't picking it up when I tried to program it)

Overall: I'm a little disappointed so far. The menu navigation is a bit difficult, it's almost overwhelming because there are so many control modules it can be confusing where to go to do what I want and the menus aren't always intuitive. The ability to actually make changes is very limited, at least in my Yukon. My 00 Buick I can do a LOT of things quite easily including DIC (Drive information center) changes that are very cumbersome to do through the dash. I'm almost wondering if I navigated to the wrong vehicle information when I hooked it up to the Yukon... I was able to do something, but other times it seemed like things I should have been able to do weren't there. IE, I got to the driver door control module and rolled the windows down with the Tech2 (would this troubleshoot a faulty door switch?), but couldn't establish communication to change tire size (to simulate a hypothetical change from stock tires and still get speed/odo to read correct).

 

[Doubeleive]

Got the chance the play around with mine a bit...

05 Yukon: I can't seem to find how to reprogram keyless remotes with the Tech2... any help? I found a procedure that doesn't require the Tech2 but it doesn't program them for Driver Memory Control from what I understood (which is possibly how mine have been programmed because they both recall Driver 2 settings).
05 Yukon: Playing around changing tire size, in the BCM (IIRC) which I think would control speedometer/odometer readings it won't let me change tire size, says it cannot establish communication with the module, but programming ABS it will let me change tire size... ????
00 Buick: I cannot find where to change tire size at all (this is the one that actually needs it because I'm running a size bigger than stock), but I did find how to reprogram my keyless remotes (didn't do it yet bc my 1 remote must have a dead battery, it wasn't picking it up when I tried to program it)

Overall: I'm a little disappointed so far. The menu navigation is a bit difficult, it's almost overwhelming because there are so many control modules it can be confusing where to go to do what I want and the menus aren't always intuitive. The ability to actually make changes is very limited, at least in my Yukon. My 00 Buick I can do a LOT of things quite easily including DIC (Drive information center) changes that are very cumbersome to do through the dash. I'm almost wondering if I navigated to the wrong vehicle information when I hooked it up to the Yukon... I was able to do something, but other times it seemed like things I should have been able to do weren't there. IE, I got to the driver door control module and rolled the windows down with the Tech2 (would this troubleshoot a faulty door switch?), but couldn't establish communication to change tire size (to simulate a hypothetical change from stock tires and still get speed/odo to read correct).

I ran into a similar issue this weekend when scanning my Silverado, turns out the vehicle selection for some vehicles is the 5th number in the vin instead of the 4th it was noted in the instructions I was reading online (a small note at the bottom of the document), tried that and walla chevy truck popped up on the menu

 

[widetrackman]

Update on my order of Jul 11 for a Tech 2 from Chindacardiag. Just received Jul 16, 5 days including a week end amazing. Not to high jack the thread, my problem was that the front drive shaft had rubbed/frayed the FPCM harness cutting 5 wires (poor design) If you have 4x4 problems this is were to look first IMHO.

 

[CountryBoy19]

I ran into a similar issue this weekend when scanning my Silverado, turns out the vehicle selection for some vehicles is the 5th number in the vin instead of the 4th it was noted in the instructions I was reading online (a small note at the bottom of the document), tried that and walla chevy truck popped up on the menu

I found, by pure coincidence, that keyfob programming for the GMT800 trucks (I'm pretty sure the GMT800 SUVs are in the same group) is done through the passenger door module (PDM), not the BCM... going to give that a shot when my wife gets home with the Yukon. I never would have imagined such a thing was in the PDM so I never looked there...

 

[swathdiver]

On the GMT900s the remotes and tire pressure sensors are handled through the RCDLR module, the driver's door.

It saves a lot of time to have the shop manuals in pdf form. This way you can search and find out where stuff is.