TECH2 how it was used to diagnose and replace the right part

[W M S]

I think the subject deserves a thread added to the forum.

I have used the GM diagnostic tools: TECH 1, TECH 2, TECH2WIN, and GDS2. I have very little experience with other manufacturer's scan tools. I retired from GM Powertrain controls service engineering a few years ago.

Since retiring, and not having ready access to the GM scan tools, I settled on an Autel MS908. It will do OBD II on domestic, Asian, and European vehicles.

I've used it on GM vehicles so far, and it is as capable as the TECH 2 and GDS2 in every respect, with the exception of pass through module programming. I didn't see myself needing that feature in the up-level model Autel.

While many scanners offer code reading/clearing and data display, the bi-directional feature is indispensable to verify the complaint/duplicate the conditions for failure, without disturbing connectors. As we all know, the simple act of disconnecting a harness can 'fix' the problem by changing pin fitment/alignment and/or removing minute bits of corrosion due to contact fretting.

 

[swathdiver]

Don't be a stranger Mike, we all can use a good man around here like you!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Don't be a stranger Mike, we all can use a good man around here like you!

Def so!

 

[W M S]

Thanks guys. Now that it's warmed up a bit here in SE Michigan, I'll be back t it on the daughter's '04 Denali. I am just relieved it got through the winter w/o any issues.

At one point though, I thought I'd have to tear the dash apart to fix the inop HVAC stepper controls, due to no heat. But a back flush of the heater core restored heat to the defrost, which was good enough to get us by.

Now I might dig deeper, and also tackle the rear HVAC distribution - it's just clicking away on all but one setting. I am thinking it is hunting for 'home'.

 

[mountie]

I have been stalling, buying one..... But I will never learn how to use it, until I get one.

 

[BG1988]

The TECH2 or bidirectional scanner is "required" to troubleshoot our systems and deliver us to the most likely component replacement to repair the malfunction. This is extremely important from a cost/stress standpoint and im hoping it is worthy of a thread in the tech forum or any place the members feel it should be placed. Kind of a step by step navigation using the TECH2 and the results of the test performed. I am new to the use of the TECH2 and would love to see the methods/screens that other forum members utilize that are experienced with the scanner. What do you think? And if a thread is created it surely can be effectively renamed and dosent have to be associated with this post.

I had a excellent mechanic he passed away two weeks ago.. I really don't know what to do now.

Very sad the last time I talked to him was me asking if he worked on hybrid vehicles.. it's one of the reasons why I bought the Hybrid... He was one of the only people I trusted to work on my cars.. He was really great at what he did . He knew very well that hybrid is the future and is why he works on them.. other shops will be out of business soon as they refuse to work on them because of the high voltage batteries.... He helped me out a lot we even worked out deals on repair costs.. as we were return customers..me and my dad.
we had many different repairs done over a long time.. he gave me an extra discount on the labor costs.. I even bought my batteries from there even though i could have gotten them way cheaper elsewhere.... he only used the tech2 once on my old car for the TC/ABS


the other times he was able to just use the normal OBD2 and quickly figured it out..

 

[BG1988]

I once plugged the unit into the cigar lighter and it still rebooted when the key was cycled.

Late last year the screen went white on me while I was fooling around with the tire air pressures. The key was on and the motor off and the Hybrid Compressor plugged in to the other cigar lighter was pumping air into the tires. Even after turning off the compressor, the Tech-2 was still acting up and put it away. Took it out a week or so later and it's been fine ever since.

try the cig plug in the center console if you have one I think it's powered when the motor is off

 

[PG01]

try the cig plug in the center console if you have one I think it's powered when the motor is off

They are all powered on with key off. If you cycle the key they momentarily turn off then on which in turn cycles the power on the tech 2

 

[thompsoj22]

I think the subject deserves a thread added to the forum.

I have used the GM diagnostic tools: TECH 1, TECH 2, TECH2WIN, and GDS2. I have very little experience with other manufacturer's scan tools. I retired from GM Powertrain controls service engineering a few years ago.

Since retiring, and not having ready access to the GM scan tools, I settled on an Autel MS908. It will do OBD II on domestic, Asian, and European vehicles.

I've used it on GM vehicles so far, and it is as capable as the TECH 2 and GDS2 in every respect, with the exception of pass through module programming. I didn't see myself needing that feature in the up-level model Autel.

While many scanners offer code reading/clearing and data display, the bi-directional feature is indispensable to verify the complaint/duplicate the conditions for failure, without disturbing connectors. As we all know, the simple act of disconnecting a harness can 'fix' the problem by changing pin fitment/alignment and/or removing minute bits of corrosion due to contact fretting.

Welcome, And thanks for posting. I also hope you can find time to be a member and share your exp related to diagnostic trouble shooting using scan tools. As you stated to be able to verify/duplicate the conditions for failure "without disturbing a connector"! I am really looking forward to being able to use the tech2 to it's full potential, And congrats on retiring from a career in the automotive industry!

 

[Geotrash]

My TECH2 clone arrived last week so I'm in the middle of the learning curve. Spent yesterday setting up a Windows XP VM to run the TIS2000 software and then learned that there is a newer solution from Bosch that supposedly works with the TECH2 and runs on Windows 10, so I'm going to experiment with that this evening. I'm sure I'm not the only one going through this process and making mistakes as I go, so a tutorial with examples is a fabulous idea. In the short term, if any of you have resource links that you can share that were the most helpful for you, I'd be grateful.

 

[swathdiver]

My TECH2 clone arrived last week so I'm in the middle of the learning curve. Spent yesterday setting up a Windows XP VM to run the TIS2000 software and then learned that there is a newer solution from Bosch that supposedly works with the TECH2 and runs on Windows 10, so I'm going to experiment with that this evening. I'm sure I'm not the only one going through this process and making mistakes as I go, so a tutorial with examples is a fabulous idea. In the short term, if any of you have resource links that you can share that were the most helpful for you, I'd be grateful.

You can take the Tech-2 out to your car and fire it right up Dave without the TIS2000 software.

 

[Foggy]

I'm tired of trying to keep up with Moore's Law. Been using computers since I was a kid but being forced to upgrade from XP and my S4 Mini phone have soured me on electronics. When I built this PC, I had to completely relearn everything as many of the terms and ways computing is done changed from 2005 when I built the last. Sure hope the Lord comes soon, I'm tired of this stuff!

I have no qualms having the little ones fix or program apps for me anymore!

As for the Tech-2. Well, my advice is find a seller with good reviews/feedback and make sure you get software version 33.004 and the CANDI module is you'r using this on a GMT-900 platform with the CAN BUS computer architecture.

I used to think they were the same as original save for stickers, coming out of same factory in China that made them for Vetronix. Some of that may be true but know that mine at least does not have same power supply. The only downside is the Tech-2 re-booting when starting the vehicle from key on. Hasn't slowed me down any though.

Regardless, you have to have one to work on these things and it will pay for itself in short order.

I found a techII clone on ebay for 380$... It includes the CANDI module and
is 33.004 version as you recommend. The only thing I'm cautious about is
that it only goes to 2013 models.. Mine is a 2014... But I know it's a holdover
year model.. Do you think it would be OK on my 2014 ???

 

[Geotrash]

You can take the Tech-2 out to your car and fire it right up Dave without the TIS2000 software.

Ah, I should have mentioned that I did that and it worked great for the diagnostics, but for the SPS I needed a computer to program a model year 2012 truck.

Got it working tonight, using the acdelcotds.com website. Signed up for a subscription for $80 for 24 months for both of my trucks. I was able to update the firmware and calibration versions on my radio/nav system and gauge cluster. Seemed low risk to start with those.

Still much to learn, such as how to set my nav system to allow me to enter a destination while on the go.

Cheers,
Dave


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[Doubeleive]

Ah, I should have mentioned that I did that and it worked great for the diagnostics, but for the SPS I needed a computer to program a model year 2012 truck.

Got it working tonight, using the acdelcotds.com website. Signed up for a subscription for $80 for 24 months for both of my trucks. I was able to update the firmware and calibration versions on my radio/nav system and gauge cluster. Seemed low risk to start with those.

Still much to learn, such as how to set my nav system to allow me to enter a destination while on the go.

Cheers,
Dave


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

you won't be able to modify the nav with the tech2 or any other modules from factory specs, the tech2 is strictly for diagnosis/monitoring & calibrations it's not a hacking tool

 

[cmatt]

Ah, I should have mentioned that I did that and it worked great for the diagnostics, but for the SPS I needed a computer to program a model year 2012 truck.

Got it working tonight, using the acdelcotds.com website. Signed up for a subscription for $80 for 24 months for both of my trucks. I was able to update the firmware and calibration versions on my radio/nav system and gauge cluster. Seemed low risk to start with those.

Still much to learn, such as how to set my nav system to allow me to enter a destination while on the go.

Cheers,
Dave


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did you do this through Windows 10?

 

[Geotrash]

Thank you for this, Doubeleive. Looks like I made some poor assumptions before buying. Still happy to have the tool, but will definitely want the right tool for programming.


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[Geotrash]

Did you do this through Windows 10?

Yes.


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[swathdiver]

I found a techII clone on ebay for 380$... It includes the CANDI module and
is 33.004 version as you recommend. The only thing I'm cautious about is
that it only goes to 2013 models.. Mine is a 2014... But I know it's a holdover
year model.. Do you think it would be OK on my 2014 ???

I see no reason why it would not but have not been able to get people with Tech-2s and 2014 to respond to our previous inquiries. You might have to call it a 2013.

Ah, I should have mentioned that I did that and it worked great for the diagnostics, but for the SPS I needed a computer to program a model year 2012 truck.

Got it working tonight, using the acdelcotds.com website. Signed up for a subscription for $80 for 24 months for both of my trucks. I was able to update the firmware and calibration versions on my radio/nav system and gauge cluster. Seemed low risk to start with those.

Still much to learn, such as how to set my nav system to allow me to enter a destination while on the go.

Cheers,
Dave


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's great! Took me three years to get up the nerve to do programming through SPS! LOL

You can only select preset destinations while driving but you may be able to do it through voice commands. I have done voice while sitting just to try but not while driving. If you have Onstar, you can send a destination to your nav unit via your phone or something along those lines. Onstar rep can also do this.

 

[Geotrash]

That's great! Took me three years to get up the nerve to do programming through SPS! LOL

You can only select preset destinations while driving but you may be able to do it through voice commands. I have done voice while sitting just to try but not while driving. If you have Onstar, you can send a destination to your nav unit via your phone or something along those lines. Onstar rep can also do this.

Thank you, James. I'll check that option out. And it's nice to know I'm ahead of the curve at least a little bit on learning!