FBeitel

OK here is my question I have been thinking about buying this scan tool http://www.equus.com/Product/Detail/...D-0582F1452540 for around the shop not just for the corvette. My question is will a program like HpTuners do everything that a scan tool like this do? If I can get away with buying a tuning program for the vette and using it for a general scan tool for the shop it would be easy to justify. Would you have to buy credits for every car you wanted to diagnose?

FBeitel

Someone has to know about this?

dougbfresh

Most scan tools only do so much, for instance many will only read GENERIC OBDII codes. Some like the one I use will talk to all the modules (ECM, HVAC, BCM, SCM,...) and can talk OBDII and CAN. You need to decide what you want tuning or diagnostics.

printmanjackson

There is only two software companys that are on the top of tuning, HPTuners and EFI Live

I went with HPTuners but they are both about the same

T A WS6 M6

That's great, but do you need VIN licenses to scan, or just to tune? That was the OP's question.

dgrant3830

Send a PM to Bil Curlee as he's got more than one scan tool. Ideally, a bi-directional scan tool would be better than just a reader but of course they cost more money too. For those where money is no object, then a Tech 2 by Vetronix is ideal, but its not cheap...last I looked it was like $3600

dougbfresh

My Autoenginuity is Bi-directional and relatively inexpensive. You can add software modules as you need them.

T A WS6 M6

Do you guys just read "scan tool" and start posting? Read the post. The key part is:

Perhaps a PM to one of the vendors who sell these products would answer the question.

dgrant3830

Well, I was thinking more along the lines of a better use device that has more than just tuning and in these cars, its needed.

feeder82

I have this code reader, the equus 3160, it works on all my cars it is just a code reader- scanner, it checks and clears codes. I havent been able to update it since I purchased it, which the manufacture claims you can do. It lacks a usb hookup for the computer,you have to buy an adapter. I paid $200 shipped for it. It will not tune a car

dougbfresh

Most of the cheapy ($100-300) will only read GENERIC codes. If you want to find out whats going on with HVAC,BCM. ABS,... modules you need at least something like the autoenginuity type PC interface. I think with the GM and Ford Modules I'm using (which allows me to talk to everything), I think I'm into it for ~ $400. You still need an occasional update but I've had it for several years now and it works pretty nice.

clemsondave

HPTuners will scan/clear codes. Almost certain EFI Live will as well. However, I think you will need a license for each type of car you want to scan. If you are planning scanning a bunch of different cars, I'd get an ODBii enhanced scanner. You can find them for around $100-$150. If you don't care about reading the other modules, like ABS, you can get a real cheap scanner.

Bill Dearborn

How many gigabytes does the software consume when installed? How easy is it to install? I have been thinking about buying it and installing on my laptop, along with the GM Service Manual that I have. The SM application eats up about 11 gig.

Bill