Tech 2, MDI, Tis2000, AcDelcoTDS

slowride77 said:

Hi All,

Love the forum. Great place for information and to learn from. I have come to a crossroads and I have no idea where to go now.

Ok, so I am person of research but this time I think I’ve just confused myself more. I have read as many post here on the Tech 2 as I can find but with recent events, I have more questions before I make a purchase.

I have a 2009 Tahoe LTZ 4WD. I have seen how many “things” you can use the Tech 2 for with these vehicles. I was looking to buy a clone but in my research, I see where some people say the tech 2 isn’t the best tool and you want the MDI unit.

I have a old laptop running XP SP3 and I can dedicate that to the TIS2000 software for the Tech 2. I have already downloaded the Tis2000 software and the dongle crack, to make sure I could run them on my old laptop. But as I research, I see that I can only run diagnostics with the tech 2 and not do any programming with it. Is that right? I’ve watched Dr Shocks videos and they are great but from what I can tell, I would have to run programming through the ac Delco tds site as a pass through. But then I see it’s not supported anymore and now they use tech connect according to Joseph Garcia’s post. Idk. So confused now.

Can someone please breakdown exactly what I would and would not be able to do if I purchased the Tech 2 clone? And is that my best option for general maintenance? I only want the Tech 2 to use and learn on so if something did go wrong, I would be prepared to diagnose without waiting weeks and then having to learn.

Any help would be appreciated!! Thank you!

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Joseph Garcia said:

For your 2009, the Tech 2 will do anything that you need, regarding bi-directional troubleshooting, monitoring, and programming (if/when needed), as this was the tool that GM dealers and independent technicians used on GM thucks through the 2013 model year. After that, MDI1 and then MDI2 technologies were used for GM trucks. Although the MDI technologies are newer, I do not believe that the use of an MDI tool would provide you with any additional functionality on your 2009 truck (I cannot personally confirm this, as I do not use MDI technology).

Functionality included with a Tech 2 include reading and clearing trouble codes, live monitoring and plotting of any sensors or control trigger points (up to 4 simultaneously) connected to control modules, testing, re-programming and re-calibrating of existing control modules where needed, and programming of new control modules when needed. It also lists all of the current software versions contained in all of the control modules.

The recent retirement of the ACDelco site, and the resulting transfer of folks current subscriptions over to the GM Techline Connect site, has created some confusion, as GM is not going out of their way to make using the Tech 2 easy. But, if you are patient and take advantage of excellent support at GM Techline Connect if/when needed, the GM Techline Connect site will accommodate all of your Tech 2 needs.

You really don't need any Tech 2 software for your personal computer, as you perform all of your work thru the GM Techline Connect site. Any programming is done with the tech 2 connected to both your personal computer and your truck, and the programming is passed directly through the Tech 2 and into your truck.

If you are interested in purchasing a Tech 2, you can obtain one at AliExpress with about a 2-3 week delivery time. The seller within AliExpress that I used was AliKing, but make sure that you purchase a Tech 2 for GM, and not Saab or other make of vehicle, as it comes with programming for specific makes of vehicles.

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I have saved literally thousands of dollars using my Tech 2 and doing my own repairs, versus taking my truck to the dealer for diagnosis and repair.

We also have a network of Tech 2 owners on this Forum, and these members will assist other members with Tech 2 needs within their geographic areas.

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swathdiver said:

X2 on what Joe says! ^^^^^

As of late, the laptop you have and I have are only good for downloading recordings from the Tech-2 to view on TIS2000 for when you are doing diagnostics. We can no longer use these old machines to connect to Techline. It said a 32-bit machine could keep using the old software but it didn't work for me. Thanks to Joe, I can just buy a long cable to connect my modern desktop PC to the Tech2/truck for programming.

The MDI and MDI2 are adapters, like the CanDi, that connect to a laptop running GDS or GDS2 software. So if one goes this route, they are using the laptop in the car for diagnostics and programming. I consider a laptop in the car quite unwieldly compared to the Tech-2, especially while viewing things while driving, but that's what snapshots are for! haha

Some time ago the VXDiag Nano was created to be a Tech-2 emulator with GDS software and comes with wired and wireless options for hooking up to a car. Wes, @Doubeleive, after much trial and error got his to work with a little tablet. You can ask him about that or search for his previous comments on that little setup.

It seems a lot more complex than it really is, just have to do it. If you go for a Tech-2, make sure it comes with the 33.004 software and all the accessories to power it up in different ways and diagnostic adapters and such. I like the factory case, others make their own with one from Harbor Freight for a lot less.

It's a durable machine. That being said, mine has seen near daily use since 2017 and after that time, the cables, OBDII connector, the card, VCI module, etc. have all been replaced. The VCI module talks to the older cars but is used as a pass-thru for our CanBus equipped trucks. So if yours quits talking to 800s and still talks to 900s, the VCI Module has likely developed a fault. Someday we'll figure out how to fix the board I guess.

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slowride77 said:

1. So I don’t need my old laptop running XP and no need to go through all the downloading of Tis2000 software? I saw a YouTube video (21 min mark) where the guy says you need the tis2000 the first time you start the Tech 2 to get a security “pass” or something? His is a SAAB but everything looked the same. Anyone experience this?

2. I only need my desktop running the GM Tech connect site running through the Tech 2 if i ever need to program anything?

3. I need a really long data cable? Is that the serial to phone line looking cable? Can you point me to the one that has worked for you?

4. My desktop has a serial connection, so I can plug the data cable into the computer. I don’t need any adapters or anything like that?

Thank you all for the help. I love doing my own work on all my vehicles and with this truck, I feel like this tool will be needed at some point. The right tool makes the job so much easier as you all know. This one involves a little more computer tech than I am used to but I love learning new things! So thank you.

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Kee Fuller said:

I need a crash course in learning how to use mine. Cause I’m struggling

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swathdiver said:

1. Nope. I only use it if I want to see a recorded snapshot on a larger screen. Like this:

2. Right.

3. Yes, I think any shielded Cat5 or Cat6 should work, I don't have any of the length needed to get from my back room out to the truck so will be buying a 100 footer soon.

4. Not if you still have an old serial port. What modern machine still has a serial port? I have an adapter to USB called a Keyspan Lite but guys have found less expensive ones that work just fine. I just never remember what they are called.

The Tech-2 is essential for diagnosing problems, running tests and viewing things before they go wrong. It's the most important tool we have at our disposal for working on these as it tell us what other tools we might need next.


Lots of us are familiar with these things, ask away. What are you having a tough time with?

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