Tech 2 "stand alone" for diagnostic?

[Caligirl]

Reading through all of the the posts I can find about Tech 2 (many people from this forum have suggested buying a Tech 2 to help find potential cause(s) of random Tahoe misfires, dreaded stabilitrak/intermittent CE light etc - won't bore you with issues), but need clarification if anything else needed with Tech 2 device. Reason being, upon my suggestion, my husband spoke with his mechanic friend (who ran a few preliminary tests to track down the cause of issues) to see if we could borrow a Tech 2 and his friend said that it was too costly so he didn't have one. Like in the $1000s??? Is there other equipment or computer programs etc that mechanics usually have alongside the Tech 2 unit that an average Tahoe owner wouldn't? To be clear, this guy is very experienced and has worked on many GM vehicles, so not sure what's up. From what I've read here, should be less than $300. Am I missing something here? I will buy one if that's all it costs, then read all your posts or YouTube videos to learn how to use it myself!

 

[Fubar0715]

I will chime in with limited knowledge - I have a Tech2 knock off, as many forum members have, that cost in the neighborhood of $350. Additionally, I subscribed to the GM portal as an accompaniment to the device for $40 for 2 years. My understanding is the device will support Tahoe/Yukons through 2013. I have used mine in limited capacity so not a lot of experience yet with mine but knew I wanted one for troubleshooting my 2013 SSV.

 

[rockola1971]

The tech 2 (a true original licensed version) will run anywhere from 600+ depending on what it all comes with, who is selling it and what avenue it is being sold in (local auction, ebay, facebook marketplace, etc.). The ones you have heard about that are $350 or even just below $300 are Chinese knockoff (clones). But who cares...they work! Ive had my clone now for about 5 years now and it has paid for itself many many times in avoiding misdiagnosing, buying unneeded parts and not wasting my time chasing my own tail. I own (2) Tahoes and (1) Yukon Denali presently and that tech 2 has been hooked up to all of them and used to diagnose problems of all kinds on all of them. It truly is a lifesaver not mention a stealership robbing you of your $$ saver! The real magic is that the tech 2 will hookup to ANY GM OBD2 vehicle. Cars, trucks, heavy trucks(bigger than 1 ton), cadillac, chevy, GMC, Oldsmobile, Buick, Pontiac, you name it. They are very easy to use and will do everything from repgramming the security code on your radio, trobleshoot your heating and a/c system, diagnose a stereo amplifier problem (bose system), automated brake system bleeds using the ABS system pump so no more one man in the vehicle pumping brakes while another is cracking the bleeder loose! You think you have fuel injector problems? Simple. Turn injector off while engine is running and when you find one that you had turned off that deosnt seem to make a difference in the engine running then you found your problem child. It takes awhile to get them since they are shipped from china. I got mine on aliexpress. https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesal...38&SearchText=tech+2&spm=a2g0o.home.1000002.0
Get one! You wont regret it! The one with the hardcase costs more because of bulkiness for shipping. My set did not have hard case because I ordered it that way to save on cost and I had my own case that I retrofitted for the tech 2. The tech 2 is menu driven and easy to use. Attached is user manual link!

http://www.auto-diagnostics.info/pdf/tech2_users_guide.pdf

 

[Caligirl]

The tech 2 (a true original licensed version) will run anywhere from 600+ depending on what it all comes with, who is selling it and whe avenue it is being sold in (local auction, ebay, facebook marketplace, etc.). The ones you have heard about that are $350 or even just below $300 are Chinese knockoff (clones). But who cares...they work! Ive had my clone now for about 5 years now and it has paid for itself many many times in avoiding misdiagnosing, buying unneeded parts and not wasting my time chasing my own tail. I own (2) Tahoes and (1) Yukon Denali presently and that tech 2 has been hooked up to all of them and used to diagnose problems of all kinds on all of them. It truly is a lifesaver not mention a stealership robbing you of your $$ saver! The real magic is that the tech 2 will hookup to ANY GM OBD2 vehicle. Cars, trucks, heavy trucks(bigger than 1 ton), cadillac, chevy, GMC, Oldsmobile, Buick, Pontiac, you name it. They are very easy to use and will do everything from repgramming the security code on your radio, trobleshoot your heating and a/c system, diagnose a stereo amplifier problem (bose system), automated brake system bleeds using the ABS system pump so no more one man in the vehicle pumping brakes while another is cracking the bleeder loose! You think you have fuel injector problems? Simple. Turn injector off while engine is running and when you find one that you had turned off that deosnt seem to make a difference in the engine running then you found your problem child. It takes awhile to get them since they are shipped from china. I got mine on aliexpress. https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesal...38&SearchText=tech+2&spm=a2g0o.home.1000002.0
Get one! You wont regret it! The one with the hardcase costs more because of bulkiness for shipping. My set did not have hard case because I ordered it that way to save on cost and I had my own case that I retrofitted for the tech 2. The tech 2 is menu driven and easy to use. Attached is user manual link!

http://www.auto-diagnostics.info/pdf/tech2_users_guide.pdf

Thanks for the info! So sounds like even if the mechanic was to buy a "real" one, it's not gonna break the bank. I think he has other financial issues going on, so maybe HE can't afford it. I'll do my research and see if the hubby wants to invest. If he doesn't, we were going to just take it to a dealer and have them run the diagnostic, but for the same money we can probably buy one of those knock offs.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Just buy one, a knock-off from China. You will have already paid for most of it, if not all of it, with the 1 trip to the dealer.

The Tech 2 is a standalone unit, unless you want to program a specific module. As stated above from @rockola1971 the standalone Tech 2 will provide you with just about all of the diagnostic info from your truck that you will ever need. You can also use it while driving to monitor any area of the truck's electronic systems, to see what they are doing (or not doing) in real time.

If you need to program a new module, when you would have to connect the Tech 2 to a PC (passthrough only, with no required software installation on the PC) to get the code from GM with which to program a module.

 

[swathdiver]

Thanks for the info! So sounds like even if the mechanic was to buy a "real" one, it's not gonna break the bank. I think he has other financial issues going on, so maybe HE can't afford it. I'll do my research and see if the hubby wants to invest. If he doesn't, we were going to just take it to a dealer and have them run the diagnostic, but for the same money we can probably buy one of those knock offs.

The Tech-2 will pay for itself after the first repair or two. Make sure it comes with the CanDi module and 33.004 software and all the little adapters for self-diagnostics and alternate ways of powering it up.

Down the road, if you want or have to program modules, you'll need a serial port to USB adapter. I use the Keyspan Lite but there is a less expensive one that is also plug and play.

 

[Caligirl]

The tech 2 (a true original licensed version) will run anywhere from 600+ depending on what it all comes with, who is selling it and what avenue it is being sold in (local auction, ebay, facebook marketplace, etc.). The ones you have heard about that are $350 or even just below $300 are Chinese knockoff (clones). But who cares...they work! Ive had my clone now for about 5 years now and it has paid for itself many many times in avoiding misdiagnosing, buying unneeded parts and not wasting my time chasing my own tail. I own (2) Tahoes and (1) Yukon Denali presently and that tech 2 has been hooked up to all of them and used to diagnose problems of all kinds on all of them. It truly is a lifesaver not mention a stealership robbing you of your $$ saver! The real magic is that the tech 2 will hookup to ANY GM OBD2 vehicle. Cars, trucks, heavy trucks(bigger than 1 ton), cadillac, chevy, GMC, Oldsmobile, Buick, Pontiac, you name it. They are very easy to use and will do everything from repgramming the security code on your radio, trobleshoot your heating and a/c system, diagnose a stereo amplifier problem (bose system), automated brake system bleeds using the ABS system pump so no more one man in the vehicle pumping brakes while another is cracking the bleeder loose! You think you have fuel injector problems? Simple. Turn injector off while engine is running and when you find one that you had turned off that deosnt seem to make a difference in the engine running then you found your problem child. It takes awhile to get them since they are shipped from china. I got mine on aliexpress. https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesal...38&SearchText=tech+2&spm=a2g0o.home.1000002.0
Get one! You wont regret it! The one with the hardcase costs more because of bulkiness for shipping. My set did not have hard case because I ordered it that way to save on cost and I had my own case that I retrofitted for the tech 2. The tech 2 is menu driven and easy to use. Attached is user manual link!

http://www.auto-diagnostics.info/pdf/tech2_users_guide.pdf[/URL

That link brings up a page with a bunch of items. Can you specify which one is the correct item? Ty!

 

[rockola1971]

That link brings up a page with a bunch of items. Can you specify which one is the correct item? Ty!

210.21US $ 2% OFF|Tech2 Auto Scanner Tech 2 Free 32mb Software Card With Tis2000 Tech2 Car Tool Form G Forsa-b Forop-l For Suz-uki Forisuzu Auto - Diagnostic Tools - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

This is the type of setup I have. Make sure you click on the GM Card when you order. They seem to have decent sales feedback and it ships DHL so should get to you in about 2 weeks.

 

[Fubar0715]

210.21US $ 2% OFF|Tech2 Auto Scanner Tech 2 Free 32mb Software Card With Tis2000 Tech2 Car Tool Form G Forsa-b Forop-l For Suz-uki Forisuzu Auto - Diagnostic Tools - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

This is the type of setup I have. Make sure you click on the GM Card when you order. They seem to have decent sales feedback and it ships DHL so should get to you in about 2 weeks.

I bought mine from AliExpress as well-got the hardcase for my purchase.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

^^x2^^ I bought my Tech 2 from AliExpress, and I got the case, as well.

 

[91RS]

A real Tech 2 will cost in the thousands to buy all the parts. The China knockoff Tech 2 will NOT hold up in a real shop environment where it is used every day and would therefore be a waste of money for a professional. For home use where it might get used once every few months, it will hold up fine. Most aftermarket shops will invest in a high end aftermarket scanner because it would cost a fortune to buy every manufacturer’s genuine scan tools plus all the subscriptions to make them work. Most aftermarket shops also don’t specialize in one brand, if you want specialized you go to the dealer.

 

[Caligirl]

A real Tech 2 will cost in the thousands to buy all the parts. The China knockoff Tech 2 will NOT hold up in a real shop environment where it is used every day and would therefore be a waste of money for a professional. For home use where it might get used once every few months, it will hold up fine. Most aftermarket shops will invest in a high end aftermarket scanner because it would cost a fortune to buy every manufacturer’s genuine scan tools plus all the subscriptions to make them work. Most aftermarket shops also don’t specialize in one brand, if you want specialized you go to the dealer.

That is probably the deal with the mechanic. Thanks for the info. That's what I was kinda thinking...apples to oranges

 

[rockola1971]

A real Tech 2 will cost in the thousands to buy all the parts. The China knockoff Tech 2 will NOT hold up in a real shop environment where it is used every day and would therefore be a waste of money for a professional. For home use where it might get used once every few months, it will hold up fine. Most aftermarket shops will invest in a high end aftermarket scanner because it would cost a fortune to buy every manufacturer’s genuine scan tools plus all the subscriptions to make them work. Most aftermarket shops also don’t specialize in one brand, if you want specialized you go to the dealer.

What makes you think that the knockoff doesnt hold up in a shop scenario? You know that true Tech II's are made in CHINA right? Odds are the parts for the clones are sourced from the same place the originals come from. U.S. patents arent any good in a communist country. How do think the clone manufacturer got ahold of all the software, specs, part dimensions and specs among other things? Manufacturer's son, brother, buddy or whatever probably worked at the factory that makes the real deal. Thats how they do "business" over there, even the shadiest of business.

 

[Geotrash]

What makes you think that the knockoff doesnt hold up in a shop scenario? You know that true Tech II's are made in CHINA right? Odds are the parts for the clones are sourced from the same place the originals come from. U.S. patents arent any good in a communist country. How do think the clone manufacturer got ahold of all the software, specs, part dimensions and specs among other things? Manufacturer's son, brother, buddy or whatever probably worked at the factory that makes the real deal. Thats how they do "business" over there, even the shadiest of business.

 

[91RS]

First of all, just because something is made in China doesn’t mean it is crap quality and second, the real Tech 2 is made in the USA. The real Tech 2 also weights about twice as much as the clone.

 

[TollKeeper]

Made in the USA with Foreign and Domestic parts... So not entirely accurate. The USA part could be them throwing stickers on it, the rest came from China. And those stickers could also be possibly made in china. As long as some assembly happened in the USA, they can say that. And it also kept the GM union happy.

I recently bought a Tech2 Clone from Canada used. Who knows where it came from originally. I used it just last night to recalibrate my HVAC. I used it when I replaced the head gasket, and after for a random misfire.

270 bucks well spent, although I wish I had gotten the hard case.

 

[Millennium Falcon]

I bought one, as well. Paid for itself in a couple uses. I bought mine sans case, then went to Harbor Freight and bought one of their Pelican case knock-offs. I believe it was the Apache 4800.

 

[rockola1971]

First of all, just because something is made in China doesn’t mean it is crap quality and second, the real Tech 2 is made in the USA. The real Tech 2 also weights about twice as much as the clone.

More like assembled in the USA of foreign and domestic parts. Connectors, chips, boards, lcd display and even the plastic housings made in china. Not profitable enough to make such a low quantity of those type of parts in a U.S. factory....unfortunately. Or could even be a slick trick and the sticker is the only thing made in the USA.

 

[91RS]

Geez, people just want to argue about everything. Whatever then, I don't know anything. I haven't been using real Tech 2's for the last 15 years or anything.

 

[swathdiver]

Geez, people just want to argue about everything. Whatever then, I don't know anything. I haven't been using real Tech 2's for the last 15 years or anything.

Bosch and Vetronix shipped production offshore by around 2010. My 2017 model looks identical to one made in 2010 and even has the same sticker as yours and mine was shipped from China.

After 5 years of near daily or weekly use, I have replaced the Candi, the VCI module, numerous OBDII adapters and the main cable and the PCMCIA card with the software as well. The Real Time Clock failed in the self tests years ago but does not seem to affect the unit. Amazon reviews tell of dealerships buying the cables and adapters all the time to keep them running.

It is my belief that the Chicoms kept making them after Vetronix moved on to the MDI and MDI2. They were probably thinking, why shut down production for something when there is still a market for it?