TECH2 how it was used to diagnose and replace the right part

[W M S]

I think the subject deserves a thread added to the forum.

I have used the GM diagnostic tools: TECH 1, TECH 2, TECH2WIN, and GDS2. I have very little experience with other manufacturer's scan tools. I retired from GM Powertrain controls service engineering a few years ago.

Since retiring, and not having ready access to the GM scan tools, I settled on an Autel MS908. It will do OBD II on domestic, Asian, and European vehicles.

I've used it on GM vehicles so far, and it is as capable as the TECH 2 and GDS2 in every respect, with the exception of pass through module programming. I didn't see myself needing that feature in the up-level model Autel.

While many scanners offer code reading/clearing and data display, the bi-directional feature is indispensable to verify the complaint/duplicate the conditions for failure, without disturbing connectors. As we all know, the simple act of disconnecting a harness can 'fix' the problem by changing pin fitment/alignment and/or removing minute bits of corrosion due to contact fretting.

 

[swathdiver]

Don't be a stranger Mike, we all can use a good man around here like you!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Don't be a stranger Mike, we all can use a good man around here like you!

Def so!

 

[W M S]

Thanks guys. Now that it's warmed up a bit here in SE Michigan, I'll be back t it on the daughter's '04 Denali. I am just relieved it got through the winter w/o any issues.

At one point though, I thought I'd have to tear the dash apart to fix the inop HVAC stepper controls, due to no heat. But a back flush of the heater core restored heat to the defrost, which was good enough to get us by.

Now I might dig deeper, and also tackle the rear HVAC distribution - it's just clicking away on all but one setting. I am thinking it is hunting for 'home'.

 

[mountie]

I have been stalling, buying one..... But I will never learn how to use it, until I get one.

 

[BG1988]

The TECH2 or bidirectional scanner is "required" to troubleshoot our systems and deliver us to the most likely component replacement to repair the malfunction. This is extremely important from a cost/stress standpoint and im hoping it is worthy of a thread in the tech forum or any place the members feel it should be placed. Kind of a step by step navigation using the TECH2 and the results of the test performed. I am new to the use of the TECH2 and would love to see the methods/screens that other forum members utilize that are experienced with the scanner. What do you think? And if a thread is created it surely can be effectively renamed and dosent have to be associated with this post.

I had a excellent mechanic he passed away two weeks ago.. I really don't know what to do now.

Very sad the last time I talked to him was me asking if he worked on hybrid vehicles.. it's one of the reasons why I bought the Hybrid... He was one of the only people I trusted to work on my cars.. He was really great at what he did . He knew very well that hybrid is the future and is why he works on them.. other shops will be out of business soon as they refuse to work on them because of the high voltage batteries.... He helped me out a lot we even worked out deals on repair costs.. as we were return customers..me and my dad.
we had many different repairs done over a long time.. he gave me an extra discount on the labor costs.. I even bought my batteries from there even though i could have gotten them way cheaper elsewhere.... he only used the tech2 once on my old car for the TC/ABS


the other times he was able to just use the normal OBD2 and quickly figured it out..

 

[BG1988]

I once plugged the unit into the cigar lighter and it still rebooted when the key was cycled.

Late last year the screen went white on me while I was fooling around with the tire air pressures. The key was on and the motor off and the Hybrid Compressor plugged in to the other cigar lighter was pumping air into the tires. Even after turning off the compressor, the Tech-2 was still acting up and put it away. Took it out a week or so later and it's been fine ever since.

try the cig plug in the center console if you have one I think it's powered when the motor is off

 

[PG01]

try the cig plug in the center console if you have one I think it's powered when the motor is off

They are all powered on with key off. If you cycle the key they momentarily turn off then on which in turn cycles the power on the tech 2

 

[thompsoj22]

I think the subject deserves a thread added to the forum.

I have used the GM diagnostic tools: TECH 1, TECH 2, TECH2WIN, and GDS2. I have very little experience with other manufacturer's scan tools. I retired from GM Powertrain controls service engineering a few years ago.

Since retiring, and not having ready access to the GM scan tools, I settled on an Autel MS908. It will do OBD II on domestic, Asian, and European vehicles.

I've used it on GM vehicles so far, and it is as capable as the TECH 2 and GDS2 in every respect, with the exception of pass through module programming. I didn't see myself needing that feature in the up-level model Autel.

While many scanners offer code reading/clearing and data display, the bi-directional feature is indispensable to verify the complaint/duplicate the conditions for failure, without disturbing connectors. As we all know, the simple act of disconnecting a harness can 'fix' the problem by changing pin fitment/alignment and/or removing minute bits of corrosion due to contact fretting.

Welcome, And thanks for posting. I also hope you can find time to be a member and share your exp related to diagnostic trouble shooting using scan tools. As you stated to be able to verify/duplicate the conditions for failure "without disturbing a connector"! I am really looking forward to being able to use the tech2 to it's full potential, And congrats on retiring from a career in the automotive industry!

 

[Geotrash]

My TECH2 clone arrived last week so I'm in the middle of the learning curve. Spent yesterday setting up a Windows XP VM to run the TIS2000 software and then learned that there is a newer solution from Bosch that supposedly works with the TECH2 and runs on Windows 10, so I'm going to experiment with that this evening. I'm sure I'm not the only one going through this process and making mistakes as I go, so a tutorial with examples is a fabulous idea. In the short term, if any of you have resource links that you can share that were the most helpful for you, I'd be grateful.