GM Tech 2

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Rivieraracing

Full Access Member
Joined
May 2, 2009
Posts
3,810
Reaction score
82
Location
Oregon
Thanks for the info and link, totally going to look into this setup here in the very near future! Hit this thread up with an update after using it some if you don't mind, would love to know how you like it or not!
 
OP
OP
rockola1971

rockola1971

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2016
Posts
2,605
Reaction score
3,512
Location
Indiana (formerly IL)
What was it like working on fighter jets? Is everything the same or different between unit's? Im sure "basket cases" even exist in aviation, I'm in canada so theirs no need to thank me for my tax dollars!
The first thing you do when working on a Jet is memorize the serial number of the aircraft you are working on. The Pubs (Mcdonnel Douglas equivalent of a helm manual) list all maintenance procedures and due to changes throughout manufacture of the F/A-18C Airframe there were wiring, equipment, software changes, improvements, etc. So one aircraft could be different in many ways when compared to others even though they are the same model. It was not uncommon to read a maintenance procedure and the pubs say for serial # xxxxx thru xxxx do step 20. For serial #xxxx thru xxxx goto step 36 and on and on. There was of course "That Bird" (Aircraft) the problem child, if you will in every squadron. One that likes to break down and have all kinds of gremlins. In the navy they were hangar queens because they spent more time in the hangar getting worked on than out on the line ready to be flown. The Hornet was alot of fun to work on, great job....actually amazing job but the pay sucked which is the main reason I got out after my enlistment was up.
 

03YukonNH

Full Access Member
Joined
May 9, 2010
Posts
188
Reaction score
8
Location
Manchester, NH
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr..._2007952323.html?spm=2114.12010615.0.0.EfrRux THis is where I got mine. You will have to get the dongle seperately. Its $12 to be able to link up to the net and download PCM, BCM, etc file updates.

Just took a look at the link and its going for $259. Is that right? How are you liking it so far? Which dongle are you referring to? This one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-TECH-2-S...:g:aOIAAOSwARZXmWQ9&item=131912394541&vxp=mtr
 
OP
OP
rockola1971

rockola1971

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2016
Posts
2,605
Reaction score
3,512
Location
Indiana (formerly IL)
Just took a look at the link and its going for $259. Is that right? How are you liking it so far? Which dongle are you referring to? This one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-TECH-2-S...:g:aOIAAOSwARZXmWQ9&item=131912394541&vxp=mtr
Yes I got it at that link. I got like $5 off for opening a free account and the starting price was a little lower. They must have raised it some. Still a good deal for what you are getting. You can goto the home page of aliexpress and search tech 2 and it will show all the ****** sellers that sell it. Price it that way. I can only vouch for the sellers on the link i gave. They did me good and fast shipping. You can search on there for a tech 2 dongle as well. The dongle is just a USB jump drive with a cracked authorization .exe file that makes your tech 2 legit when you need to get any files from the GM website using TIS2000. You can also search the net for the same file and install it on your computer in the TIS2000 directory. The TIS2000 is just a software suite that allows your Tech 2 to be checked for software revisions and its the interface to GM's website for any program downloads you need. For example if you need to reprogram a PCM then you would attach your tech 2 to a computer, run TIS2000, have either a dongle or the cracked file in the directory, goto GMs website and get the file from there. Now keep in mind that ANYONE needing a file off GM's website to program a PCM, BCDM, etc. will have to have a subscriber paid membership. I believe they offer a 3 day access for one vin for $55 or you can get other periods of time and vin uses. You will not be able to install a file that is older version than the one you already have. The tech 2 will not allow it. You will also need a computer (Desktop or Laptop) that is running XP. Windows vista, 7,8,10 are not compatible from what I understand. There are youtube videos and all kinds of forums that have how tos on the TECH 2. It is actually fairly simple once you learn the TECH 2 menus and how to navigate to get to where you need to be and the TIS2000 interface is made for dummies.

I have 4 GM OBD2 vehicles so it will pay for itself this year for me alone.
 

Red Rider

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Posts
383
Reaction score
19
So I am trying to figure out if the tech 2 is worth picking up. Does anyone know if there are other computers that might do everything that the Tech 2 does, plus work on most vehicles? I own some Toyotas, non OBD, but if I were to invest in a computer, it would be nice to have something more flexible.

As far as the clones go, Found this one on Ali that has all adapters plus some additional cards for other vehicles:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/201...a01e3ccd-6927-440b-a2a1-773a1d4bf3a0#feedback
 

fiatdale

Houstons Best
Joined
Jan 3, 2012
Posts
3,890
Reaction score
810
Location
Houston
I have a GM Tech 2 and MDI at work, a Snap on Solus ultra and a clone Tech2 at home. The clone does everything the real deal does, but you cant do reprogramming after 2009 with it - you need the MDI and subscription.

And still remember - its all copied, and bootlegged, so yes, it is illegal.

The Snap on scanners, while expensive are excellent. It can do everything the Tech2 can do (except passthru for programming, but again, need subscription, or STEAL the software), and the snap on will work and diag for any vehicle. Just remember that they are Diagnostic tools, not tuners. They aren't magical tools which will just tell you why your motor isn't running correctly, you need to be able to understand what they do and how to read different systems.
 

Red Rider

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Posts
383
Reaction score
19
I am mostly looking at it for repairs and maintenance. Not for tuning or magic fixes :)

I need to bleed brakes and did not realize i needed computer for ABS flush.
 
OP
OP
rockola1971

rockola1971

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2016
Posts
2,605
Reaction score
3,512
Location
Indiana (formerly IL)
I have a GM Tech 2 and MDI at work, a Snap on Solus ultra and a clone Tech2 at home. The clone does everything the real deal does, but you cant do reprogramming after 2009 with it - you need the MDI and subscription.

And still remember - its all copied, and bootlegged, so yes, it is illegal.

The Snap on scanners, while expensive are excellent. It can do everything the Tech2 can do (except passthru for programming, but again, need subscription, or STEAL the software), and the snap on will work and diag for any vehicle. Just remember that they are Diagnostic tools, not tuners. They aren't magical tools which will just tell you why your motor isn't running correctly, you need to be able to understand what they do and how to read different systems.
It is ONLY illegal for the company that bootlegged it and sold it. (Could be copyright infringement). It is NOT illegal for you or I to own and use. GM or anyone else for that matter cant do anything for what we use to work on our own property.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,323
Posts
1,866,003
Members
96,919
Latest member
steezy5oh
Top