1/2 scan tools !
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,114
Likes: 669
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
1/2 scan tools !
I'm looking to see if I can buy a scan tool, I can't afford too much and was wondering if the Autel AL539 is something I might be able to use. It does have the ability to read the input date of the PCM, has anyone ever used this tool, or have experience ? I have a Ancel AD 530, but it's a different kind of tool.
Thank you !
Thank you !
Last edited by killain; May 31, 2021 at 08:25 AM.
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,428
Likes: 3,979
From: Cape Coral, Florida
How much is too much ??...a bidirectional scan tool is your best bet...around a grand or you can get a Chinese Tech 2 knock off for $300-400. BTW a scan tool is not going to tell you always what’s wrong...if the trouble code says O2 sensor a lot of times it’s not the sensor...wiring, computer etc...
Last edited by C5 Diag; Jun 7, 2021 at 08:01 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 877
Likes: 102
From: TX Hill Country
The Thinkdiag is a bi-directional scan tool for around $130. When you buy you choose one or two (depending on who you buy it from) manufacturers that you have full usage of for one year. After that it's $40-50 per year per manufacturer. Does not have an o-scope function but does have the following:
- 【All Vehicle System Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner】The Thinkdiag OBD2 Scanner support all Systems diagnostic function, it can read/clear fault codes, read live data, read control module information,actuation tests and maintenance functions for ECM,BCM, SRS,TCM, BMS,TPMS,SAS,A/C system etc... It can works with most car models after 1996 year of 120+ car brand, All software have 1 year free update.
- 【30+ Maintenance Functions (Adaption / Initialiazation / Matching)】Thinkdiag OBD2 Scanner have 16 reset functions menu and more maintenance function under the exact car menu: Service Reset, ABS Bleeding, Injector coding, Gear Reset, SAS Reset, TPMS Reset, DPF Reset, BMS Reset, ETS Reset, AFS Reset, EGR Adaptation, GEARBOX, SUNROOF, SEAT Calibration,Key coding etc. Thinkdiag is perfect diagnostic tools for mechanics.
- 【Bi-Directional Test + ECU Coding】Thinkdiag can actuate solenoids and actuators for active testing, send commands to systems/components to test their working status, without using the vehicle controls. It will save much times to identify malfunction causes. ECU CODING allows you to match the replaced components with ECU, flash hidden functions, for BMW,GM,Benz etc.
- 【Intelligent Diagnostic tool+Autovin】Thinkdiag Bluetooth OBD2 scanner make your smart device became a professional vehicle diagnostic tool,it can compatible with android and ios.Autovin function can let the thinkdiag identify most car model automatically. Full system Vehicle health report will be automatically created after diagnosis,it can shared and printed via email.Live Data Stream combined Graphing+Data Record can better for monitoring vehicle performance and analyze the abnormal parameter.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
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Will be running Tech2 win under Win 10 with the Nano (which the software comes with the device and is free to use), and Tech2win is the same program that GM uses for the C6 for diagnostic and special programing of the car to begin with.
Note, the Nano is a MDI 1 clone, and it runs cracked GDS2 (for free) for the new cars as well
Hence Brake position sensor goes out, need to replace it, will need Tech2win to put the BCM into BPS relearn mode to program the new sensor into the car.
Take it one step farther, and one of the modules ****** the bed and needs to be replaced,
Will be using the VX gm Nano with either Tis2000 or TDS, to reflash the new module into the car to program and security lock it with the system as well.
As for basic scanner, Wifi Elm327 that cost about $10, and can use a programs like Torque on your smart phone to pull and erases basic codes.
Last edited by Dano523; May 31, 2021 at 04:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,114
Likes: 669
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
https://www.amazon.com/VXDIAG-Multip...2493307&sr=8-1
Will be running Tech2 win under Win 10 with the Nano (which the software comes with the device and is free to use), and Tech2win is the same program that GM uses for the C6 for diagnostic and special programing of the car to begin with.
Note, the Nano is a MDI 1 clone, and it runs cracked GDS2 (for free) for the new cars as well
Hence Brake position sensor goes out, need to replace it, will need Tech2win to put the BCM into BPS relearn mode to program the new sensor into the car.
Take it one step farther, and one of the modules ****** the bed and needs to be replaced,
Will be using the VX gm Nano with either Tis2000 or TDS, to reflash the new module into the car to program and security lock it with the system as well.
As for basic scanner, Wifi Elm327 that cost about $10, and can use a programs like Torque on your smart phone to pull and erases basic codes.
Will be running Tech2 win under Win 10 with the Nano (which the software comes with the device and is free to use), and Tech2win is the same program that GM uses for the C6 for diagnostic and special programing of the car to begin with.
Note, the Nano is a MDI 1 clone, and it runs cracked GDS2 (for free) for the new cars as well
Hence Brake position sensor goes out, need to replace it, will need Tech2win to put the BCM into BPS relearn mode to program the new sensor into the car.
Take it one step farther, and one of the modules ****** the bed and needs to be replaced,
Will be using the VX gm Nano with either Tis2000 or TDS, to reflash the new module into the car to program and security lock it with the system as well.
As for basic scanner, Wifi Elm327 that cost about $10, and can use a programs like Torque on your smart phone to pull and erases basic codes.
Does this particular one work with a PC or a phone ? If it needs a laptop how does that get enabled or is software for this particular scanner get loaded on a Phone, Or a laptop ?
I'm not to knowledgeable as to a scanner, phone setup.
Thank you,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
So - when you say "can't afford too much" - what are you really looking to spend ? For $25 - $40 you can get a basic OBDII scan tool that will read and clear most non-mfgr specific codes (things like oxygen sensor, evap, etc.) . For around $100 - you are now getting to the point that you can also read transmission codes and SRS codes. Go to around the $350 mark - and you are now looking at a Chinese Knock Off Tech II, that can do bi-directional communication stuff. Above that - you're getting into pro models...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,114
Likes: 669
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
"Useful" scan tools !
So - when you say "can't afford too much" - what are you really looking to spend ? For $25 - $40 you can get a basic OBDII scan tool that will read and clear most non-mfgr specific codes (things like oxygen sensor, evap, etc.) . For around $100 - you are now getting to the point that you can also read transmission codes and SRS codes. Go to around the $350 mark - and you are now looking at a Chinese Knock Off Tech II, that can do bi-directional communication stuff. Above that - you're getting into pro models...
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
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VX GM Nano is used with laptop running windows 10.
Its a MDI clone, so the same device and software that GM uses themselves.
As for elm 37 wifi way ($15 for device and software), elm 327 is a stand alone device that is plugged into the car's PBDI port, you install the program torque pro to your android phone, connect to the elm327 via wifi with the phone, then run the Torque program on your phone to communicate with the car to pull the codes/reset the codes.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...hl=en_US&gl=US
So Torque pro with elm327 I use for basic pulling codes on pretty much anything,Including data logging using Scanmaster Elm on a laptop,
but when it comes down to repairing the C6/pulling down to body level codes/ need to run the needed relearns, then Tech2win is used with the nano for that.
Last edited by Dano523; May 31, 2021 at 10:32 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
I can't speak to the Tech2win as I have not used it, and honestly - I personally don't know anyone who has it.
Torque Pro is definitely a very good bang for the buck solution. (About $40 for app and dongle)
I will say that Blue Driver (app is free - but specific dongle runs about $100) is also quite good.
The Chinese knockoff Tech II is definitely a worthwhile tool. It has far more capacity than most of us will ever be able to use.
Torque Pro is definitely a very good bang for the buck solution. (About $40 for app and dongle)
I will say that Blue Driver (app is free - but specific dongle runs about $100) is also quite good.
The Chinese knockoff Tech II is definitely a worthwhile tool. It has far more capacity than most of us will ever be able to use.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 714
Likes: 106
From: England
I can't speak to the Tech2win as I have not used it, and honestly - I personally don't know anyone who has it.
Torque Pro is definitely a very good bang for the buck solution. (About $40 for app and dongle)
I will say that Blue Driver (app is free - but specific dongle runs about $100) is also quite good.
The Chinese knockoff Tech II is definitely a worthwhile tool. It has far more capacity than most of us will ever be able to use.
Torque Pro is definitely a very good bang for the buck solution. (About $40 for app and dongle)
I will say that Blue Driver (app is free - but specific dongle runs about $100) is also quite good.
The Chinese knockoff Tech II is definitely a worthwhile tool. It has far more capacity than most of us will ever be able to use.
Last edited by Sub8; Jun 7, 2021 at 06:42 AM.