I'm looking for some advice.

Are there two routes to a Tech-2 now? If I have got this right GM make the standalone Tech-2 (several K $), but they now also market a USB type unit that requires a laptop? Is this the case and if so how much is it? I can source a laptop easily.

I can search EBay for a Tech-2 (I can see several there now), if it exists, is this other tool seen on EBay too? If so, what is it called?

Thanks

Jonathan

The Tech2 is a stand alone scanner - it can be hooked up to a PC for additional features.

The USB device you are referring to is an MDI and its replacing the Tech2... and requires a PC to work.

In either case - anytime you hook it up to the PC you need to have access to Tis2web which I believe runs more than $2k a year for an account.

You can buy either tool from ebay or other online tool shops. They both can do the same thing - the MDI is supposed to be faster, but I have no experience with it.

I am positive CC will check in shortly and give you some more input on this subject.

We are fortunate to have a few members that are conversent in this subject

In either case - anytime you hook it up to the PC you need to have access to Tis2web which I believe runs more than $2k a year for an account.



Thanks Deadringer, can you confirm for a fact that neither tool will work when connected to a PC unless there is an active Tis2web account? That would render the MDI device useless to me as I have no intention of that sort of expenditure. Sounds like my only option is the standard hand held Tech-2 which will be fine for reading codes and any other adjustments I choose to make.

I understand that to get the latest patches and stuff then I need a means for the tool to contact the GM support center, I am not concerned about that.

Thanks Deadringer, can you confirm for a fact that neither tool will work when connected to a PC unless there is an active Tis2web account? That would render the MDI device useless to me as I have no intention of that sort of expenditure. Sounds like my only option is the standard hand held Tech-2 which will be fine for reading codes and any other adjustments I choose to make.

I understand that to get the latest patches and stuff then I need a means for the tool to contact the GM support center, I am not concerned about that.

Yes - the java app for the tis2web is loaded over the web... so if you don't have a login, there's no app to load. So there are no PC functions you can use without an active account.

I agree about the MDI - which is why I ended up with a Tech2.

To get the latest updates for the Tech2 and your XLR you will need a Tis2Web account.

Yes - the java app for the tis2web is loaded over the web... so if you don't have a login, there's no app to load. So there are no PC functions you can use without an active account.

I agree about the MDI - which is why I ended up with a Tech2.

To get the latest updates for the Tech2 and your XLR you will need a Tis2Web account.

Thanks Deadringer. Sounds like I need to source the handheld Tech-2. Glad I asked before ending up with a useless MDI!

Hi Gang,

I picked up a device at Costco called "CODEKEY" FOR LESS THAN $40.00 that works on all vehicles from 1996 to present, they claim.
Just plug it into the cars computer socket under the dash and press the 'READ' button and it will display the error codes found and describe which systems need servicing. If it gives an alpha-numeric code but no description, there is a computer site, that's free, that you can go to and it will give you the description of that code. Some codes for GM are the same for other vehicle brands but relate to different systems. When you input the code it will tell you what it means for GM, Dodge, Toyota, etc.
It will not FIX the problem but it will erase the code so you don't have to drive for 150 to 200 miles because you didn't tighten your gas cap correctly or you have a bad gas cap.
The 'Check Engine' light came on in my 2000 Dodge Durango 4X4 a couple of months ago and the dealer charged me $102.00 to tell me my gas cap needed replacing. They wanted $25.00 for it and that was included in their charge for the diagnosis. So it cost me $102.00 for a gas cap I could hav purchased from PepBoys for about $10.00.
So, when I saw this 'CODEKEY' device, I got it and have tried it out on all mine, friends and families vehicles from 1998 to present that their 'CHECK ENGINE' light was displaying and it's been 100% acurate!
We've even tested this out by taking off the gas cap and driving around till the 'Check Engine' light comes on then erased the code after replacing the gas cap to verify it works!
I was really surprised to learn how many people were driving around with there 'Check Engine' light on.

So anyway, you might want to check this device out before spending lots of money on Tech-2s or simular devices.

Jack

Hi Gang,

I picked up a device at Costco called "CODEKEY" FOR LESS THAN $40.00 that works on all vehicles from 1996 to present, they claim.
Just plug it into the cars computer socket under the dash and press the 'READ' button and it will display the error codes found and describe which systems need servicing. If it gives an alpha-numeric code but no description, there is a computer site, that's free, that you can go to and it will give you the description of that code. Some codes for GM are the same for other vehicle brands but relate to different systems. When you input the code it will tell you what it means for GM, Dodge, Toyota, etc.
It will not FIX the problem but it will erase the code so you don't have to drive for 150 to 200 miles because you didn't tighten your gas cap correctly or you have a bad gas cap.
The 'Check Engine' light came on in my 2000 Dodge Durango 4X4 a couple of months ago and the dealer charged me $102.00 to tell me my gas cap needed replacing. They wanted $25.00 for it and that was included in their charge for the diagnosis. So it cost me $102.00 for a gas cap I could hav purchased from PepBoys for about $10.00.
So, when I saw this 'CODEKEY' device, I got it and have tried it out on all mine, friends and families vehicles from 1998 to present that their 'CHECK ENGINE' light was displaying and it's been 100% acurate!
We've even tested this out by taking off the gas cap and driving around till the 'Check Engine' light comes on then erased the code after replacing the gas cap to verify it works!
I was really surprised to learn how many people were driving around with there 'Check Engine' light on.

So anyway, you might want to check this device out before spending lots of money on Tech-2s or simular devices.

Jack

Thanks for the thoughts Jack. As I understand it, Codekey type devices will only look at the mandated emissions codes, all other codes are excluded. The XLR has many other equipments and is basically not servicable without a comprehensive Tech-2 capability.

Thanks Deadringer. Sounds like I need to source the handheld Tech-2. Glad I asked before ending up with a useless MDI!

Can anyone comment on the following?

On EBay there is a supposed Tech-2, new for around $2,100. See 150387410139. It links to a site possibly in China. I have seen various sites that offer a Tech-2 at this pricing, the scanner comes from either China or Lithuania it seems.

Now at a guess the 'official' Tech-2 could well be made in one of those places and these are perfectly good and about half the money of a so called 'official' Tech-2 which run around $4,000.

I have talked to a supplier and they insist that these are identical in every way with one exception, they won't connect to the GM site for updates. Well, I don't want or need that, the dealer can sort those sorts of things out for me. I get a 12 mo warranty from a reputable supplier who assures me that they have supplied these tools for a great many years and have had zero complaints about the functionality, they do exactly what a Tech-2 does. Given they are supplied in the identical packaging with the identical handset, it does seem possible to me that these are indeed factory direct and therefore at a significant discount.


PS, why is that threads in this forum section don't appear in the 'active topics'? At least, I'm not getting it. Also, why do I have to click twice to get to the forum, is there some kind of configuration error? Not a problem, just an observation.

I don't know about the click twice thing but in the case ofthe discussions in my experience I think there has to be a lot more posting traffic. I have been using the New Posts tab to locate the most recent postng traffic.

Hopefully CC will be able to help you on the Tech 2 questions.

Regards

I bought a used Tech2 on ebay... you also need the CANDi module.

Mine was bought from a US seller, and it was clear that he was a GM tech based on our conversations.

You do NOT want a new one as it may not have the current software load on it from GM... if it doesn't have the current load, you will need a Tis2Web account to load the software on to it. Its likely that if you buy one out side the US it won't have the right load for US cars.

As for the 4k price on new US units - it typically includes a one year subscription to Tis2Web so thats where a lot of the cost is going.

But regardless, you should be able to find a used Tech2 with CANDi from a US dealer, with the current US software load for about $2k.

There are a ton of them on ebay when all the dealerships were closing a few months back - which is when I got mine... so YMMV

Congratulations on your purchase!!!

We'll need your input in the Tech2 Section as you learn more about how it works and the solutions for trouble codes.

CC is working on his as he completes his move into his new Californnia residence. So you will be in very good company.

Regards