Been saving up a few bucks and want to get a scan tool for my '96 coupe. Sure would be interested in hearing your thoughts, both good and bad. What's working for you? Thanks.

 

I use a snap-on MTS-2500. You can find one used on ebay for 3-400 bucks, plus another $100 for the software you'll need for your vehicle. For the money, there is no finer scanner.

 

Auto Tap works well, another is EASE diagnostics. Both have pro qualities with their PC based software packages. I use a GM TECH2 but it is prohibitively expensive for the DIY'er for home use.

A Snap-On MTS2500 is an "OK" scanner. But for GM cars there is no replacement for the TECH2. The Snap-on unit has to be able to talk to all the other cars and trucks out there. So its protocol has to be universal. While its a good unit for the general repair shop and works well. It is a dog compared to the TECH2 on GM cars. However the TECH2 will hold its own against the Snap-on unit when used on other generic applications other than GM.

You can also find a GM TECH1a sometimes used. This too is a very good GM shop scanner that has been since replaced by the TECH2 and is no longer serviced by Vetronix. Used ones can be found for as little as $200 and are very good scanners. The TECH2 can display several prarmeters at once on its large screen, and can datalog for 15 minutes. All of which can be downloaded into a PC for replay or the session can be replayed internally within the TECH2. Also the tech two can perform a myriad of tests as its bi-directional. It can also flash PCM's and body modules for all model years of GM cars.The older TECH1 does not have datalogging capabilities but the TECH1a can as long as it has the proper mass storage cartridge.

 

Thanks for the replys. Lots of good expertise and insight here.

Tjwong:
One question. What does the term "bi-directional" mean here? Does this mean you can send signals to the car's computer as well as receive them? Are the less expensive units, for example Digimoto capable of this. I'm having a cooling fan problem and the manual says to command the system to turn on the fan. Can scan tools like Digimoto do this?

Thanks again for the help.........great forum.

John

 

Check out www.obd-2.com Logs just about everything and is not GM specific (although it has options for specific LT1 parameters). I use it and it's a good piece.

For general purpose logging (i.e. just the SAE parameters) I love EFI Live V5 ( www.efilive.com ). It's really for the LS1 but works great. Graphically it is very easy to work with, fully customizable, and makes data interpretation a snap. I'd recommend it as a second choice if you've got some cash to blow. I love it.

 

John, the term bi-directional means two way. My TECH2 can command the PCM to perform certain tests. It can adjust idle speed to test the IAC funtion, it can command the PCM to clear its DTC history and many other tests. In a late model car there are several smart devices in the cars or trucks. The GM TECH2 can access these devices such as your instrument cluster and command it to turn on its individual warning lamps. I can also tell the body module that you are replacing your key fobs and it will re-code it self to accept commands from your new key fob.

I am not familiar with the Digimoto scan tool. It does appear that it has the capability to clear the DTCs from the PCM. And it does appear that it will work with most any generic OBD2 standard. I don't think its a GM enhanced scan tool meaning that it will give you all the generic OBD2 inputs. A GM enhanced tool will give you many more parameters to view. And of course all the GM specific DTC codes which the generic version my very well not give you. It is a good deal at less than $150. Which is about half what AutoTap or what EASE costs.

 

Ever use a Matco determinator Tjwong?

We got 2 and both are very very nice. The later model we have plots like a laptop.

 

Harbor Freight sells a Universal code reader for the above price. I have a 1996 (OBD11) and use the above. It comes with a book of the codes and has the ability to clear codes also. The web site is www.harborfreight.com and the part number is 46030-ocaa.