Tech II
I tried out the tech II scan tool today at school, pretty handy device, lots to learn.
Anyways, I was trying to figure out how to plug in my new tire sizes to correct my speedo, maybe try and program out that 1-4 shift crap etc.
Do I need to plug the tech II into a computer to 're-learn' the pcm?
(All I could find was re program, then selected Chevy, Corvette, then it talked to the car, gave me my Vin # etc, and told me to turn ign. off, unplug tool and hook up to PC.)
I looked through the case and didnt see a cd for software or anything so I dont know if I can hook it up to any computer or what. The tool crib dude doesnt know a thing either.
Any ideas??
I tried out the tech II scan tool today at school, pretty handy device, lots to learn.
Anyways, I was trying to figure out how to plug in my new tire sizes to correct my speedo, maybe try and program out that 1-4 shift crap etc.
Do I need to plug the tech II into a computer to 're-learn' the pcm?
(All I could find was re program, then selected Chevy, Corvette, then it talked to the car, gave me my Vin # etc, and told me to turn ign. off, unplug tool and hook up to PC.)
I looked through the case and didnt see a cd for software or anything so I dont know if I can hook it up to any computer or what. The tool crib dude doesnt know a thing either.
Any ideas??

The Tech2 picked up the VIN and now wants you to connect it to a PC that is attached, via the internet, to the GM TIS. The PC uploads the VIN to TIS and GM looks up all the information about the vehicle and downloads to the PC all the correct software for that individual vehicle. The PC then loads the softwaqre to the Tech2, which you then take to the vehicle and plug back into the dataport. The PCM then gets loaded with the correct software.
You can see a small fraction of TIS by going here ....
http://service.gm.com/index_en-US.html
Select TIS ... then on the next page select "Vehicle Calibration Information" ... plug in your VIN and see what comes back ...
Here's a sample from a slightly older model of a Tech2 .... I suggest you start in diagnostics ... Service Programming System is for downloading software from TIS ....
http://www.stopforce.com/RPO.html
Have fun ... and BE CAREFUL ... the Tech2 is a powerful tool ....
Ok, Today was the first day I tried this Tech 2 unit, I understand theres a TON to learn. I played with a Genisys the other day and a crappy snap-on tool as well.
So if I brought my lap top in to school tomorrow and connected the tech 2 to it, (after doing the reprogram deal) is that a bad idea???
(Theres a few things that came up when I typed my Vin in on that "Vehicle Cal Info" page.....such as- 12593359 New software to correct fuel disable feature not functioning after a battery disconnect or BCM loss of communication. Per Product Safety Campaign 04006A. Replaces all previous software............
9373670 System calibration
9359157 Speedometer calibration ...and a few others.)
Im not sure how old this particular unit is, but yeah, it looks to be a sweet little toy.
Oh and in that second site you posted the one I was using looks identical, case and all......not sure if they changed much though?
Last edited by clayton1; Jul 21, 2008 at 09:16 PM.
Ok, Today was the first day I tried this Tech 2 unit, I understand theres a TON to learn. I played with a Genisys the other day and a crappy snap-on tool as well.
So if I brought my lap top in to school tomorrow and connected the tech 2 to it, (after doing the reprogram deal) is that a bad idea???
(Theres a few things that came up when I typed my Vin in on that "Vehicle Cal Info" page.....such as- 12593359 New software to correct fuel disable feature not functioning after a battery disconnect or BCM loss of communication. Per Product Safety Campaign 04006A. Replaces all previous software............
9373670 System calibration
9359157 Speedometer calibration ...and a few others.)
Im not sure how old this particular unit is, but yeah, it looks to be a sweet little toy.
Oh and in that second site you posted the one I was using looks identical, case and all......not sure if they changed much though?
http://www.boschdiagnostics.com/test...ges/Tech2.aspx
Note that the company that originally made the Tech2 (Vetronix) was bought out and is now part of the German Bosch organization.
You can try connecting the Tech2 to your computer .... but I don't think anything will "happen" .... as I undersatnd it you need software (TIS - Techline Information System) on the PC that supports the Tech2.
If you go to the link above .... on the left side menu ... scroll down to SUPPORT and under that select "Diagnostic Manuals" .... then select the Tech2 in the drop down box and you can download the User Manual for the Tech2 ..... that will help you in working with it.
The reason I pointed out that Vehicle Calibration page was to show you that the GM TIS knows a lot about your individual car based on its VIN ... even to whether certain software updates have been applied (like recall campaign 04006a) to your car.
Have fun with the Tech2 ....
I brought my laptop in but there was no adapter in the case to hook the two together.
This one says Vertronix on the back and the paperwork all had dates as 1999, so looks to be an older model.
The Tech 2 is a great tool without the TIS2000 software, capable of doing just about anything you want. You really only need the TIS2000 for some diagnostics and downloading the latest calibrations for a full re-program.
Hope this helps. Play with it and you will see just how much it can do.
By the way, it connects through an RS-232 Ethernet plug at the Tech 2 through a serial adapter to the serial port on the computer. TIS2000 CD version always defaults to COM1 port, so make sure you don't have a UPS battery backup (or something similar) communicating through COM1 constantly.
But without the TIS2000 software installed on the computer (or a current subscription) it won't be able to do anything.
Last edited by mnotx; Jul 23, 2008 at 09:35 AM.
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Anyways, I played around for quite somtime, pretty much went through every option I could on that thing. The only thing I found brakes/abs related was Data for WSS and Vehicle speed. Also, ABS solenoid, pump tests.
Couldnt find anything tire or wheel related.
Im doing my work experience in a couple weeks at a chevy dealer so I find out some info there hopefully.
Thanks for your guys`help, I appreciate it.
I use the Tech II most every day. Everyone seems correct - it IS a powerful tool. I just dont think its going to do what your looking for. As far as calibrations go, your at the mercy of GM and what they want to calibrate. You use the scan tool only to diagnose and to program. It doesnt let you custom cailbrate (at least with the gm card in it). Youll need an aftermarket programmer for that.
As far as tire sizes, look in the CHASSIS -> ABS -> SPECIAL FUNCTIONS usually thats where the tire sizes are changed at. I havent been into a vette for a while for the tire sizes - usually we do the trucks more frequently.
GM can custom make a calibration but again, its vin specific and you have to have GMs authorization to get a custom cal - they wont do just anything.
Nowadays with the advent of GM LAN - we use another module connected to the tech 2 or use a MDI - just for programming. ITs a whole lot quicker, but it programs the car based of the VIN# - so all the RPO equiptment is already known.
Its unfortunate that we cant custom calibrate, but we kinda got to play by thier rules.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask - Ill see what I can do. Thats why im here!
THanks for the info!
I went into Chassis-ABS-Special Functions.....a list of about 6 or 7 things came up, They were mostly brake test stuff, I checked everyone!!!
The Service Manual does not list the tire size as a data element for the Tech2 to display.
The Tech2 User Manual shows how you select, on the PC, "Service Programming", then you indicate you are re-programming an existing module, and finally you select the type of re-programming ..... as the manual says .... "Reconfigure is used to reconfigure a vehicle, such as a truck, for changes in tire sizes or axle ratios."
When you are at the Chevy dealer one of their guys can probably help you do this on your car.







