Tools & Fabrication - Chinese Tech 2s

Anybody use one? Im going to be doing a trans swap on my truck and will need a tech 2 to reprogram some stuff and I havent had the best of luck finding a place that will do the flashes for me. Besides having it to pull codes, auto bleeds of teh ABS etc, it would be nice to have one. Theres a few on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/V32-002-GM-tech-2-fully-kit-with-candi-32MB-Card-TIS-Tech2-II-Diagnostic-scanner-/271043336277?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item3f1b711855&vxp=mtr
Just dont want to spend the money if they dont work worth a darn. The seller has good feedback but shitty grammar obviously from being over in Hong Kong.

ive actually been thinking about this too, candi is so expensive

the link doesn't work (at least not for me).
is this a Chinese reversed engineered tech 2? does it look like the tech 2?

The description " V32.002 GM tech 2 fully kit with candi+32MB Card+TIS,Tech2 II Diagnostic scanner"

The link works fine on my computer and my phone... Here's the pic they posted in the auction
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/V32-002-GM-tech-2-fully-kit-candi-32MB-Card-TIS-Tech2-II-Diagnostic-scanner-/00/s/NTAwWDUwMA==/$T2eC16FHJHwE9n8igtRQBQJ)okUHpg~~60_1.JPG

would also like to know the durability of one of these "chinese" tech-2's.

have been pondering buying my own.

Just say no........

Can you elaborate more?

Just say no........

While I have to agree with your sentiment, it seems to me that plenty of "SPX/OTC" product lines are made in China themselves. I'm curious as well, and would like to hear more if you're willing to share....

You might get lucky and not have any problems... but when you do have problems, there will be no support.

You might get lucky and not have any problems... but when you do have problems, there will be no support.

Good point!:cheers:

I think GM is in the process of not using Tech 2's anymore and making it completely computer WiFi dongle processed. I could be wrong but one of my buddy's is service manager at a gmc dealer. He also told me they don't use a tech just a gm Computer and WiFi obd plug.
That might be why there are more and more coming from overseas since gm not buying them.

I have never seen a knock off tech 2 but I heard they were bad news...
Used tech 2's are going for short money.
For what the go thru they hold up extremely well.
My personal tech 2 and candi I purchased thru Vetronics brand new.
I have baught and sold a dozen or so tech 2's on eBay .
At one time I was getting almost 3 k for a good used tech 2 and candi.
The last few I have been lucky to get 1/2 of that due to the knock offs getting more popular .
I heard their is no servicing them if they break.
Their is a guy on eBay that fixes the originals for about $300.
Just my 2 cents..
Also what are you going to try to program?

I think GM is in the process of not using Tech 2's anymore and making it completely computer WiFi dongle processed. I could be wrong but one of my buddy's is service manager at a gmc dealer. He also told me they don't use a tech just a gm Computer and WiFi obd plug.
That might be why there are more and more coming from overseas since gm not buying them.

Yes the tech to is being outdated by a unit called a mdi. Do a search for gm mdi .
Some new vehicles the tech 2 won't work on you have to use the mdi and lap top. Gmc terrain equinox regal Cruz are a few that you need the mdi for .
The mdi is also used for programming.
The tech 2 won't be obsolete for a few more years .
I work at the dealer and I use the tech 2 a few times a day and the mdi only a few times a week mostly for programming .

Soare these indeed knock offs or are they the real deal and just dirt cheap since gm is no longer purchasing them?

You might get lucky and not have any problems... but when you do have problems, there will be no support.

Theres no support for genuine tech 2s either if you're a regular guy, so that doesn't really matter.

I have never seen a knock off tech 2 but I heard they were bad news...
Used tech 2's are going for short money.
For what the go thru they hold up extremely well.
My personal tech 2 and candi I purchased thru Vetronics brand new.
I have baught and sold a dozen or so tech 2's on eBay .
At one time I was getting almost 3 k for a good used tech 2 and candi.
The last few I have been lucky to get 1/2 of that due to the knock offs getting more popular .
I heard their is no servicing them if they break.
Their is a guy on eBay that fixes the originals for about $300.
Just my 2 cents..
Also what are you going to try to program?

My truck and in the next year or two I'll be buying my wife a V2. I don't need it for the newer stuff. If I could find a genuine one for a grand I'd consider it.

Reliability is one concern, but even if these ebay units keep working...what about the accuracy of their diagnosis?

If you google the knockoff Tech 2's you'll see there are nothing but problems with them. I would rather buy a used genuine tech 2 than a new chinese one

If all you want it for is as a bidirectional scantool covering all vehicle systems, there are cheaper software/PC solutions out there, such as AutoEnginuity and others.

If all you want it for is as a bidirectional scantool covering all vehicle systems, there are cheaper software/PC solutions out there, such as AutoEnginuity and others.

forgive my ignorance but if systems like autoenginuity are readily available for alot less than a tech 2. Then why are tech 2's so highly sought after and desired? What does a tech 2 tool due that AutoEnginuity doesn't do?

The T2 does a few other things like program OEM calibrations, but only if you have a GM TIS subsription ($$$$)...

I believe it also displays some info in a supposedly more "nicely formatted" manner, for example it displays the misfire counters as bar-graphs.

I've dealt with both "authentic" and cheap Tech 2s. Mine is authentic with the original 1996 build date under the PCMCIA door, this date will not be there on the Chinese versions. I'm not suggesting you take the risk but I will say this. The knockoff I used did everything exactly like mine. They're still supported to those that say otherwise. They're updated VIA AC Delco Tech2Win which is a subscription based service that anyone can purchase. They're still pushing new updates monthly and support GM products from 92-current.

The CANdi module I own is ebay chinese. It looks and works exactly like any other I've ever used. My main cable also failed from being twisting around too many times. I picked up a chinese $50 replacement and the only thing different about it was the price tag. Keep in mind that since these things are shipping from China it might take a month for you to receive them and if they're damaged in shipping or they rip you off you're screwed. I took the gamble and got $700 worth of stuff for $150. Again, this is just my experience but I'm happy. Chances are, these are coming from the same place the real ones are manufactured.

So do I need a subscription to TIS to flash my BCM for the new 6L80e or flashing door modules for changes in mirrors? I dont care about flashing GM updates into the vehicle just want to be able to make changes to the BCM. I added an aftermarket camera that functions like the factory one and had the dealer flash my nav unit with a new VIN and it works great but now my damn backup sensors dont work and the DIC always says "parking assist off" or some crap like that. Its annoying because it chimes every damn time I put he truck in reverse. I just want to be able to change crap like that and to be able to do the ABS bleed procedure on vehicles I do brake jobs on.

So do I need a subscription to TIS to flash my BCM for the new 6L80e or flashing door modules for changes in mirrors? I dont care about flashing GM updates into the vehicle just want to be able to make changes to the BCM. I added an aftermarket camera that functions like the factory one and had the dealer flash my nav unit with a new VIN and it works great but now my damn backup sensors dont work and the DIC always says "parking assist off" or some crap like that. Its annoying because it chimes every damn time I put he truck in reverse. I just want to be able to change crap like that and to be able to do the ABS bleed procedure on vehicles I do brake jobs on.


Short answer You wont be flashing anything without a TIS subscription.