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The Tech2 is still a great scan tool for many more years yet. As the years go by it will become obsolete but that is in the future as it will always scan OBD1, OBDII, CAN GM vehicles thru 2013. It's software is updated as far as it will get.
As many have already said, 1,2 or 3 trips to the dealer for a scan and it paid for itself already.
The Tech2 is still a great scan tool for many more years yet. As the years go by it will become obsolete but that is in the future as it will always scan OBD1, OBDII, CAN GM vehicles thru 2013. It's software is updated as far as it will get.
As many have already said, 1,2 or 3 trips to the dealer for a scan and it paid for itself already.
Very true. If you have the dough though, you could get the MDI 2 and handle from 1996 to present and beyond.
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Originally Posted by PCMusicGuy
Very true. If you have the dough though, you could get the MDI 2 and handle from 1996 to present and beyond.
I would like to learn more about what a MDI setup would look like. The Tech2 does the job for 4 of the cars I own plus a couple more in the family, but I also have two others that are MDI.
My questions are:
1) What's the hardware setup? From what I read, it's an MDI-2 module and a Windows-based PC.
2) Does this setup have some functionality when operating stand-alone like the Tech2, or does it always need to be connected to TIS2WEB or some other subscribed service? From what I've read, you need to have a subscription for the calibration files, but it is not clear to me that a MDI system will operate stand-alone and what the scope of those stand-alone functions are.
3) Subscriptions. I see there are short-term, relatively low-cost subscriptions available for calibration files. Not sure if I need a subscription just to hook the system up to a car.
Comments appreciated from anybody who has some experience. Not intending to hijack the thread - someone was bound to mention the next generation of GM scan tools.
all tech2 scanners are made in china,even vertronics
real'' ones
a mdi,is just a pass-thru device for programming,you need gm software on a laptop,and pay extra to get a tech2 screen on it,a tech2 can be used in pass-thru also [its in the first set-up screen]
a tech2 will do 100x the things anybody elses scanner will do
ive used a real tech2 and several clones,they are almost the same [looks wise],and they function the same[clones seem to run a little slower]
you need to use them a lot to understand everything they do,start by going into every sub group you can everytime you use it,and start reading ''live data'' ,it will teach you whats right and whats wrong with a running car/truck,
What is a TS2000 and what is the USB to RS232 cable used for? Is this for upgrading the firmware on the Tech 2 itself?
The TIS2000 disc has the software to let you connect with a GM server to DL files if you were planning to reflash modules on your car. Can be dangerous if you aren't careful. Also you can view and operate the Tech2 screen on a laptop and view movies, snapshots you recorded when it was connected to your car full screen on your laptop.
Connect it with the 232 cable to laptop. Won't need to update firmware for Tech2 as most all the sellers offer the latest and last upgrade it will get. 33.004 for GM.
The TIS2000 disc has the software to let you connect with a GM server to DL files if you were planning to reflash modules on your car. Can be dangerous if you aren't careful. Also you can view and operate the Tech2 screen on a laptop and view movies, snapshots you recorded when it was connected to your car full screen on your laptop.
Connect it with the 232 cable to laptop. Won't need to update firmware for Tech2 as most all the sellers offer the latest and last upgrade it will get. 33.004 for GM.
I was pleasantly surprised to come home yesterday afternoon and had my Tech2 sitting on my doorstep. A great looking unit and I played with it most of last night so thanks again J. Moore!
I have noticed a couple of things so far. The TIS2000 DVD wont run on my Windows 10 laptop since it wants to run on an old version of MS Internet Explorer. Is it essential to be able to use this disk since I was able to read the *.pdf files on the provided CD?
Another thing I noticed is that the various interchangeable cable adapters require an insane amount of force to couple together. It took quite a while before I worked up enough courage to successfully couple them. It was actually afraid at one point that I was going to break something trying.
I'm looking foreword to connecting this device to one of the 2 GM vehicles in our fleet and playing with and exploring its functions.
Icecap.. cool you got yours,, yes, the connectors are a tight fit at first. The little metal tang locks them together and after you connect and disconnect them a few times they loosen up a bit. Just be careful and don't bend or break the pins.
I'm running the TIS2000 on Windows 10 thru Oracle VM VirtualBox running Windows 2000 and works fine. I can't take all the credit though as my son installed it and set it up. He's an IT geek. He didn't have any problems with the install though.
You don't have to install the software on the disc as the instruction manual for the Tech2 and the TIS software is online by itself. You don't need it to use the tool on your cars either but I always want to get my moneys worth and wanted to see what all was on the 2 discs.
You'll need a serial cable to connect the Tech2 to a laptop too and use the beige adapter unless your PC has a serial port. I got a Tera Grand USB2.0 to RS232 Cable adapter with FTDI Chipset off Azon. Actually I ordered the wrong one with the male thumbscrews, should have got female screws but I made it work.
I was pleasantly surprised to come home yesterday afternoon and had my Tech2 sitting on my doorstep. A great looking unit and I played with it most of last night so thanks again J. Moore!
I have noticed a couple of things so far. The TIS2000 DVD wont run on my Windows 10 laptop since it wants to run on an old version of MS Internet Explorer. Is it essential to be able to use this disk since I was able to read the *.pdf files on the provided CD?
Another thing I noticed is that the various interchangeable cable adapters require an insane amount of force to couple together. It took quite a while before I worked up enough courage to successfully couple them. It was actually afraid at one point that I was going to break something trying.
I'm looking foreword to connecting this device to one of the 2 GM vehicles in our fleet and playing with and exploring its functions.
Some guys are getting outdated $80 refurb laptops that have a serial port and Win XP....the setup that the Tech 2 uses. Use it only for TIS2000 software.
I couldn't get my CANdi module to be recognized. Started wiggling connections until it did. Hopefully not a bad sign of possibly early failure. Appears to be either the VCI that connects inside, or the cable that attaches to it the VCI.
I have had my Tech2 that I ordered as a result of this post for 2 days now. I have played with it and read the documentation and by coincidence yesterday afternoon I logged a DTC and my check engine light came on.
Earlier in the day I spent several hours cleaning and detailing my engine compartment so it looked like it just left the assembly line. I wondered whether I dislodged a plug or something in the process but couldn't see anything obvious.
Hooked up my new Tech2 and scanned for codes. Can't remember the actual Fault Code but it indicated "High Intake Air Temperature". I cleared the code, took it for a 20 minute drive stopping for gas on the way home and it has stayed off so far.
Tech2 is an invaluable tool and what I saved by not having to go to a dealer today just partly paid for it.
Cool, if the code comes back you'll know it is worth investigating. Alot of cars will set a phantom code when there really isn't anything wrong. I've had cars do just that.
If you got the engine or a connector wet that could cause it. Sometimes I'll detail my engine compartment with a light mist of Armour-All and spread it around with an old soft paint brush. Just the plastic surfaces not the actual engine. Haven't had any codes set from it.
Used my Tech2 on my daughters 09 Cobalt yesterday. RF tire sensor is dead. Shows 0 but tire gauge shows 35 psi. Tech2 won't calibrate TPMS and I didn't think it would but I wanted to see anyway. Funny, her car had 3 history DTC's for a radio receiver error. She said radio and CD play fine. I dunno.
It's nice to have the Tech2 so you can look down your cars throat and up its butt so to speak.
My vette has the F55 options "Magnetic Selective Ride Shocks". I want to upgrade to aftermarket shocks. I need a Tech II to remove the option from my car to prevent the error codes. I wonder if this device can perform this for me.
07-12-2017, 07:29 PM
