Just bought (now fixing!) 2021 Yukon XL Denali

[RailLife365]

Good day all. Saturday I bought a '21 Yukon XL Denali for my wife, and she's pretty happy with it. I put a new dashcam (front & rear) in, some rubber floormats, buffed out a BUNCH of scratches, and have just been doing little things to it.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good scan tool? I'd like to like the best "bang for my buck", but it seems like everything I've found so far is pretty limited in their capabilities. I'm used to using Ross Tech's VCDS (formerly called VAGCOM) for doing work on VAG cars, so it's kind of disappointing that there seems to not be anything similar available for GM vehicles. Maybe someone here will understand what I'm talking about. Lol

Anyways, just saying hello, and introducing myself. I'm pretty boring. I do alot, fix anything, build stuff, you know. Whatever.

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

I own Foxwell and Autel scanners but I don't know what your "bang for my buck" limit is.

Also, pics of the wife's new ride, or it didn't happen.

 

[Doubeleive]

Good day all. Saturday I bought a '21 Yukon XL Denali for my wife, and she's pretty happy with it. I put a new dashcam (front & rear) in, some rubber floormats, buffed out a BUNCH of scratches, and have just been doing little things to it.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good scan tool? I'd like to like the best "bang for my buck", but it seems like everything I've found so far is pretty limited in their capabilities. I'm used to using Ross Tech's VCDS (formerly called VAGCOM) for doing work on VAG cars, so it's kind of disappointing that there seems to not be anything similar available for GM vehicles. Maybe someone here will understand what I'm talking about. Lol

Anyways, just saying hello, and introducing myself. I'm pretty boring. I do alot, fix anything, build stuff, you know. Whatever.

I've moved my way up to a innova 7111, it does pretty much everything that a tech2 would do on the older generations, except connect to techline.
if you check ebay daily you can end up grabbing one for like $200. the innova 7111 has free updates for life. it updates via wi-fi or usb and works with all the newer vehicles

 

[RailLife365]

All of my pictures are lame, but I'll post them anyways! Lol

This is driving it home.

"Before" picture of some scratches on one of the door handles (this one wasn't the worst!).

"After" picture of the same handle.

Here, this is better. I forgot I had made this. I cleaned/polished the exhaust tips. They were covered in tar, and the one side of the vehicle had reflective road paint splashed all down the side, but I didn't get pictures of that.

These were a couple of errors that kept coming up, but that was solved with a new map SD card.

Here's one of the seat controls that needs replaced. I need to get that ordered, but first is resolving the torque convertor shudder, and replacing the brake caliper some idiot stealership mechanic cross threaded one of the bracket bolts on. THEN I can replace the wear sensor that he failed to replace when they put new rotors and pads on.

Sometime during all of that, I need to investigate more as to how to get the passenger door electronics to work properly (I made a separate post about that).

I'm rambling now. Lol

To elaborate more on "bang for buck", I'm thinking <$300. I have a couple of other vehicles where I could potentially benefit from having one, but I just don't have hardly any experience with domestic (USA) vehicles to completely know what I'll need. I referred to VCDS previously, but there aren't very many people that are familiar with what that is. It's basically diagnostic software for VAG (Volkswagen Auto Group) vehicles, but you can do anything a dealership can do. Program new keys, reset odometers, code in new radios, flash ECMs, BCMs, TCMs, etc., activate/control any specific thing (door locks, injectors, suspension components, cameras, whatever), adjust normal parameters for sensors, reset literally anything, and of course scan/clear basic OBD2 codes. It looks like nothing equivalent to that exists for GM stuff short of GDS2 (I think is what it's called) which is just not financially feasible for someone like me. Once I have this Yukon fixed up properly, then (historically) I'll probably only use it *maybe* once or twice a year, as new issues arise. So I don't want to spend a bunch, and avoiding annual or subscription fees would be awesome.

Anyways, my wife and I have been married for 16 years, we live in rural Missouri with our three kids and two dogs. I love forums (like this one!) because it's hard to find people near me that aren't scared of vehicles with any higher technology than a CD player in them. Lol Great people, just not very helpful on newer stuff. I like woodworking, my oldest son and I are learning computer programming and circuitry together. I like CNC machining, 3D printing, carpentry, shooting, watching Formula1 races, camping, all sorts of stuff.

I'm not very good at talking about myself, but I'll talk about anything if you let me. Lol I'll get better pictures up soon, I swear. I'm just goal focused I guess, so no glamorous photo shoots yet!

 

[RailLife365]

I've moved my way up to a innova 7111, it does pretty much everything that a tech2 would do on the older generations, except connect to techline.
if you check ebay daily you can end up grabbing one for like $200. the innova 7111 has free updates for life. it updates via wi-fi or usb and works with all the newer vehicles

I'll have to look that up. I think I've seen the name 'Innova' at one of the auto parts stores in town. Are they a pretty reliable brand? What I mean is, do I have much to worry about with shopping for an used one?

Is "tech2" the predecessor of GDS2? I've been trying to research as much as I can on this, but I think I'm getting some of the abbreviations mixed up! Lol

 

[Miami-Dade]

Welcome from Miami&NYC!

Used to have family in Columbia Missouri. Very nice people there.

 

[Doubeleive]

I'll have to look that up. I think I've seen the name 'Innova' at one of the auto parts stores in town. Are they a pretty reliable brand? What I mean is, do I have much to worry about with shopping for an used one?

Is "tech2" the predecessor of GDS2? I've been trying to research as much as I can on this, but I think I'm getting some of the abbreviations mixed up! Lol

gds2 is the system that gm uses now yes, the tech2 was a proprietary rtos, but gds2 is more java based.
innova has been around a long time, I have never had anything they make fail. they sell a lot of handheld scanners, the 7111 is a tablet
this link should show everything it can or cannot do with a 2021

Innova 7111 - OBD2 Bidirectional Scan Tool Tablet

Innova's OBD2 Tablet 7111 is a smart diagnostic system device, providing real-time vehicle information and comprehensive diagnostics for efficient troubleshooting.

www.innova.com

 

[Doubeleive]

All of my pictures are lame, but I'll post them anyways! Lol

View attachment 487284
This is driving it home.

View attachment 487285
"Before" picture of some scratches on one of the door handles (this one wasn't the worst!).

View attachment 487286
"After" picture of the same handle.

View attachment 487287
Here, this is better. I forgot I had made this. I cleaned/polished the exhaust tips. They were covered in tar, and the one side of the vehicle had reflective road paint splashed all down the side, but I didn't get pictures of that.

View attachment 487288View attachment 487289
These were a couple of errors that kept coming up, but that was solved with a new map SD card.

View attachment 487290
Here's one of the seat controls that needs replaced. I need to get that ordered, but first is resolving the torque convertor shudder, and replacing the brake caliper some idiot stealership mechanic cross threaded one of the bracket bolts on. THEN I can replace the wear sensor that he failed to replace when they put new rotors and pads on.

Sometime during all of that, I need to investigate more as to how to get the passenger door electronics to work properly (I made a separate post about that).

I'm rambling now. Lol

To elaborate more on "bang for buck", I'm thinking <$300. I have a couple of other vehicles where I could potentially benefit from having one, but I just don't have hardly any experience with domestic (USA) vehicles to completely know what I'll need. I referred to VCDS previously, but there aren't very many people that are familiar with what that is. It's basically diagnostic software for VAG (Volkswagen Auto Group) vehicles, but you can do anything a dealership can do. Program new keys, reset odometers, code in new radios, flash ECMs, BCMs, TCMs, etc., activate/control any specific thing (door locks, injectors, suspension components, cameras, whatever), adjust normal parameters for sensors, reset literally anything, and of course scan/clear basic OBD2 codes. It looks like nothing equivalent to that exists for GM stuff short of GDS2 (I think is what it's called) which is just not financially feasible for someone like me. Once I have this Yukon fixed up properly, then (historically) I'll probably only use it *maybe* once or twice a year, as new issues arise. So I don't want to spend a bunch, and avoiding annual or subscription fees would be awesome.

Anyways, my wife and I have been married for 16 years, we live in rural Missouri with our three kids and two dogs. I love forums (like this one!) because it's hard to find people near me that aren't scared of vehicles with any higher technology than a CD player in them. Lol Great people, just not very helpful on newer stuff. I like woodworking, my oldest son and I are learning computer programming and circuitry together. I like CNC machining, 3D printing, carpentry, shooting, watching Formula1 races, camping, all sorts of stuff.

I'm not very good at talking about myself, but I'll talk about anything if you let me. Lol I'll get better pictures up soon, I swear. I'm just goal focused I guess, so no glamorous photo shoots yet!

ever since 2015+ the paint is thinner and softer so it scratches very easily, even rubbing your finger on it can make a mark.
the metal is thinner also the slightest bump into something can make a nice dent.
but it is what it is....just have to buff it more often

 

[RailLife365]

Welcome from Miami&NYC!

Used to have family in Columbia Missouri. Very nice people there.

We used to live in central Illinois, but made the move down here to the Ozarks about five years ago. It's been amazing!

You say 'welcome' from both Miami and NYC? Do you travel between the two frequently? I've been to Miami and other parts of Florida for vacations & work occasionally, and it's always been a fun time. It's kinda funny, I was looking over the service records before we bought this Yukon and about half of them were at a couple of shops in Destin Florida. Totally opposite end of the state from Miami, but still. Lol

 

[RailLife365]

ever since 2015+ the paint is thinner and softer so it scratches very easily, even rubbing your finger on it can make a mark.
the metal is thinner also the slightest bump into something can make a nice dent.
but it is what it is....just have to buff it more often

Yeah, I figured the clear (at least) must be thinner or softer because it buffs SUPER easy. I'm planning on taking it over to the next city and having it ceramic coated to help protect it a bit, but I want to make sure I've got everything straightened out right first. It's got a few minor dings that I'll be repairing, but this one was a single owner no accident one that spent half of it's life in Florida, so I'm pretty happy about that!

Hey, you (or anyone) wouldn't happen to know if it was standard or not for the frame to be coated with that rubberized undercoating from the factory, would you? This one is, and it seems to still be in great shape, but I just didn't know if that was something the previous owner had done, or if all Denalis/Yukons were already like that.

 

[Doubeleive]

Yeah, I figured the clear (at least) must be thinner or softer because it buffs SUPER easy. I'm planning on taking it over to the next city and having it ceramic coated to help protect it a bit, but I want to make sure I've got everything straightened out right first. It's got a few minor dings that I'll be repairing, but this one was a single owner no accident one that spent half of it's life in Florida, so I'm pretty happy about that!

Hey, you (or anyone) wouldn't happen to know if it was standard or not for the frame to be coated with that rubberized undercoating from the factory, would you? This one is, and it seems to still be in great shape, but I just didn't know if that was something the previous owner had done, or if all Denalis/Yukons were already like that.

gm puts a coating on them but it's not rubbery that I am aware of

 

[RailLife365]

gds2 is the system that gm uses now yes, the tech2 was a proprietary rtos, but gds2 is more java based.
innova has been around a long time, I have never had anything they make fail. they sell a lot of handheld scanners, the 7111 is a tablet
this link should show everything it can or cannot do with a 2021

Innova 7111 - OBD2 Bidirectional Scan Tool Tablet

Innova's OBD2 Tablet 7111 is a smart diagnostic system device, providing real-time vehicle information and comprehensive diagnostics for efficient troubleshooting.

www.innova.com

That looks just about right! Thank you for this information!

Now, just to quench my curiosity, do you know of any diagnostic software that runs on a computer (laptop) that is just as/more advanced than that 7111 which can connect with a cable via USB? I only ask because that's how what I use for VAG cars operates, so I'm just curious. Google searches always want to display either weird Chinese basic scan tools, or $1,500+ full diagnostic setups. Lol

 

[RailLife365]

gm puts a coating on them but it's not rubbery that I am aware of

Hm. Maybe it's something the previous owner had done. It looks like quality work, so I guess that's a bonus!

I'm excited about the frame having extra rust protection, and my wife is excited about the factory power running boards. Lol

 

[JoeBlobs]

Welcome from NJ!

 

[RailLife365]

Welcome from NJ!

Thank you!

 

[OR VietVet]

All of my pictures are lame, but I'll post them anyways! Lol

View attachment 487284
This is driving it home.

View attachment 487285
"Before" picture of some scratches on one of the door handles (this one wasn't the worst!).

View attachment 487286
"After" picture of the same handle.

View attachment 487287
Here, this is better. I forgot I had made this. I cleaned/polished the exhaust tips. They were covered in tar, and the one side of the vehicle had reflective road paint splashed all down the side, but I didn't get pictures of that.

View attachment 487288View attachment 487289
These were a couple of errors that kept coming up, but that was solved with a new map SD card.

View attachment 487290
Here's one of the seat controls that needs replaced. I need to get that ordered, but first is resolving the torque convertor shudder, and replacing the brake caliper some idiot stealership mechanic cross threaded one of the bracket bolts on. THEN I can replace the wear sensor that he failed to replace when they put new rotors and pads on.

Sometime during all of that, I need to investigate more as to how to get the passenger door electronics to work properly (I made a separate post about that).

I'm rambling now. Lol

To elaborate more on "bang for buck", I'm thinking <$300. I have a couple of other vehicles where I could potentially benefit from having one, but I just don't have hardly any experience with domestic (USA) vehicles to completely know what I'll need. I referred to VCDS previously, but there aren't very many people that are familiar with what that is. It's basically diagnostic software for VAG (Volkswagen Auto Group) vehicles, but you can do anything a dealership can do. Program new keys, reset odometers, code in new radios, flash ECMs, BCMs, TCMs, etc., activate/control any specific thing (door locks, injectors, suspension components, cameras, whatever), adjust normal parameters for sensors, reset literally anything, and of course scan/clear basic OBD2 codes. It looks like nothing equivalent to that exists for GM stuff short of GDS2 (I think is what it's called) which is just not financially feasible for someone like me. Once I have this Yukon fixed up properly, then (historically) I'll probably only use it *maybe* once or twice a year, as new issues arise. So I don't want to spend a bunch, and avoiding annual or subscription fees would be awesome.

Anyways, my wife and I have been married for 16 years, we live in rural Missouri with our three kids and two dogs. I love forums (like this one!) because it's hard to find people near me that aren't scared of vehicles with any higher technology than a CD player in them. Lol Great people, just not very helpful on newer stuff. I like woodworking, my oldest son and I are learning computer programming and circuitry together. I like CNC machining, 3D printing, carpentry, shooting, watching Formula1 races, camping, all sorts of stuff.

I'm not very good at talking about myself, but I'll talk about anything if you let me. Lol I'll get better pictures up soon, I swear. I'm just goal focused I guess, so no glamorous photo shoots yet!

Where in Mo.? I lived north of the river in Gladstone, Mo. for gobs of years and in Excelsior Springs, Mo. in high school and then service and back home and then moved to Oregon in 1995.

Been to lots of places near the Ozarks. Many a weekend down there.

 

[Doubeleive]

That looks just about right! Thank you for this information!

Now, just to quench my curiosity, do you know of any diagnostic software that runs on a computer (laptop) that is just as/more advanced than that 7111 which can connect with a cable via USB? I only ask because that's how what I use for VAG cars operates, so I'm just curious. Google searches always want to display either weird Chinese basic scan tools, or $1,500+ full diagnostic setups. Lol

well if you are pretty computer savvy you an get GDS2 running for about $120 with the vcx-nano, it can be a major pita. but if you need gds2 diagnostics without paying there huge fee it's possible.
there are other "dongles" out there also they just cost a bit more.
and ya a lot of the stuff out there is chinese, getting the vcx configured can be a struggle and then it has to be updated again after about 90 days to keep it running, so if you get it working and then 5 moths later you need to use, expect to have to mess with the software a bit again. usually re-installing the vcx license works

 

[Miami-Dade]

We used to live in central Illinois, but made the move down here to the Ozarks about five years ago. It's been amazing!

You say 'welcome' from both Miami and NYC? Do you travel between the two frequently? I've been to Miami and other parts of Florida for vacations & work occasionally, and it's always been a fun time. It's kinda funny, I was looking over the service records before we bought this Yukon and about half of them were at a couple of shops in Destin Florida. Totally opposite end of the state from Miami, but still. Lol

Yes. Been going up to NYC from Miami 3 times a year. Actually, looking to sell my condo by the end of the year as having a lot of issues with it plus do not want to deal with the Condo Commandos anymore. Going back up there July 4th weekend for 2 months. Hopefully I can get rid of my place by the end of the year.

 

[RailLife365]

Yes. Been going up to NYC from Miami 3 times a year. Actually, looking to sell my condo by the end of the year as having a lot of issues with it plus do not want to deal with the Condo Commandos anymore. Going back up there July 4th weekend for 2 months. Hopefully I can get rid of my place by the end of the year.

How's the market there? Here in Missouri it seems like housing is in an 'up' trend, and has been for at least a few years. Buildable land prices have actually skyrocketed, particularly near metropolitan areas. There's an acre lot of woods right near me with no improvements (no water, power, sewage, driveway, etc.), but when I asked about it they wanted $15,000! Lol Three or so years ago similar lots were only a couple of thousand. In fact, the son of a friend of mine bought a house with a few acres for around eighty thousand, but the house needed alot of work. It had sat empty for at least a decade from what I was told.