What is a "Tech 2 Scan Tool" and where can I get one?
 

Fellow Do-it-yourself (DIY) Corvette Enthusiasts,

I currently have an HVAC problem (dead blower motor) and the 3 Volume set Corvette service manual refers to a "Tech 2 Scan Tool" frequently in the HVAC section.

Could someone tell me...

1) Who makes this scan tool?
2) Where can I get it?
3) How much does it cost?
4) Do you need be a GM trained Tech to use it, or can the DIY'er use it successfully?

Thanks and Regards,
Matt

Matt,

www.vetronix.com makes the GM Tech II for GM dealers. You can buy one for around $3500-$4000 from Vetronix.

Anyone can use the Tech II. At first, it is a bit odd to get used to, but I mastered it pretty quickly once I started playing around with it.

SG

SG, Thanks for your quick response to this thread.

Oh Man, its going to take a lot of repairs for this to pay for itself.

I think I found a cheaper one at,

http://www.usatoolwarehouse.com/usat.../OTC-3628.html

But, I don't know if this is the same item that you mention.

I wonder if there any alternative to this... is there some hand held device that could a laptop and perhaps have some software installed on it that imitates what the Tech II device does?

Don't the tuner suites (HP Tuners, EFI Live) provide the same (or better) data?

look into HP tuners-should be what you can use for about $500

The GM Tech II does everything for GM vehicles only. I like it over any other scan tools that I have seen or used on the market. Vetronix also has a service that you pay yearly for and it gives you all the GM updates for all GM vehicles so if there is a software update, you can do it yourself.

SG

These are not even close to doing what the Tech II will do.

Thats the tool you need.

:iagree:

SG

Those are for tuning the motor. Not for trouble shooting other things in the car.

The website does not discuss much. Can you tune a car? Turn on and off certain aspects of the engine performance?

R U sure? I thought you could turn codes in the PCM off etc. I could be wrong.

The "HP tuners" are model and year specific. They also only let you change a few things, but nothing to do with the BCM or the PCM. Just a tune and code scan.

Find a local shop that you like, my local non-dealer, has a Tech II. He only charges labor at $60 an hour to program or delete things. My 99 Z I had the CAGS shift light deleted, he charged me $15.

Dealers keep them under lock and key and charge hundreds for 10 minutes of work. :crazy:

Also if you buy a Tech II, you need to have it updated everytime there is a software release, I know in 2004 there were 19 releases, or even more.

I don't have the VCM suite yet (it'll be here next week), but here is information from the HP Tuners site. There is a whole lot more going on than a tune. Here is some info from their site. BTW it does look like they do the AC paramaters (request of origional post).

http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2933
What parameters can I edit?
The million dollar question..

Here is just a basic summary of some of the things you can edit with our package. A complete list would be quite lengthy.

The exact parameter set for your particular application may be different. Due to the number of applicaitons we support, we cannot list all of the supported parameters on a per application basis.


Engine
EGR, Air Pump, COT Enable/Disable and controls
Rev Limiters, Idle Speed and characteristics
Throttle Follower and Cracker
MAF Tables, Main VE and Cranking VE
Power Enrich fuel controls
Closed Loop/Open Loop characteristics
Injectors
Spark Advance and Retard

Engine Diagnostics
MAP Error Values
MAF Error Values
Misfire Values
DTC's (trouble codes)

Transmission
Shift Speeds
Shift Firmness and Time
TCC Parameters and Tables
C.A.G.S.
Transmission Diagnostics
Trans Slip Test Conditions

System
PRNDL Flag
Fan Type Select
VATS
Fan On/Off Temps
A/C Parameters

Speedometer
Speedometer
Speed Limiter

To me a "HP tuner" is a Hypertech or a superchips. Sorry for the confusion.

HPTuners will allow you to scan pretty much any GM vehicle's PCM/BCM from 97+ for codes as well as hundreds of other parameters. It also allows you to reprogram the pcm and in most calibrations that consists of over 500 editable parameters not including codes ;). Although it will NOT allow you to program the bcm it will show you any bcm codes you may have which can help in diagnosing any issues you may have.

:cheers:

good thing about living here in Detroit, about 10 of my friends have them and we have 2 at work

Tech 2 is good for doing anything for GM vechicals like updating your PCM firmware, Removing the dreaded Theftlock if you buy a radio off of Ebay..EtC those tuners won't do that

:iagree:

but it does not have the bidirectional controls necessary to troubleshoot like the tech II has.

I've owned HPtuners and it's more of a tuning tool with the ability to retrieve codes and eliminate diagnostic tests.

can i clear my BCM codes with my HP tuners?

I'll quote myself for the blind :cool: