I just ordered a Tech 2 Chinese clone last night. I have done some research and everyone has been surprised how well they function, and since all I drive is GM vehicles I figured I should own one. I also do all of my own repairs, and I work at a medium duty diesel truck repair shop, so I work on Duramax's quite often. Anyway I have had some issues with my Sonoma losing idle (dying) after warming up and would like some better diagnostics to see what is actually happening. I also plan on getting another LS powered vehicle in the near future and just couldn't resist having the best GM scan tool available for under $300 ($279 to be exact). Here is the unit I purchased for reference: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3297...34b14c4d9PRGFP

I will post pics and a short review once the tool arrives in 1 to 2 weeks. I searched the forums on here and didn't see anyone do a write up just yet, however I did find some on other GM forums, but this has always been my favorite forum so I want to contribute what I can. If this is in the wrong forum please move, thanks.

 

Subscribed. This should be interesting.

Rick

 

Nope, you're good!

 

Looks pretty good, but about half way down the page, I see this...

 

interested.

 

The package shipped from Hong Kong on Wednesday and arrived at my door today, Friday. Amazing! Shipping was free. Everything appears to be as advertised, except I didn't receive all of the stickers. Not a huge deal. I will hook this thing up to my Sonoma and report back with details on the functionality. Here are a few pics I snapped with my phone. The OBD2 reader has 2 pins on the top middle row that stick out a hair further than the others. I saw a youtube video of a guy who noticed the same thing, although he said it worked fine.

 

I believe they are talking about the medium duty trucks, since they have a different type of OBD port. I have seen several videos of guys using them on Tahoes and Silverados.

 

See if it does airbag codes and cycle abs pump

 

I have one of the VCX Nano clone devices. It works great, im interested to see your review on this one

 

Ahh. Well, I'd be very interested if that's the case. Keep us updated.

 

Apparently there IS a medium duty truck option. I will take the Tech 2 to work on Monday and try hooking up to a GMC 5500 Duramax. They have a medium duty diagnostics port AND an OBD2 port under the dash. I have used a Snap-On scanner on these medium duty trucks before, and now I am excited to try the Tech 2!



Here is some engine data from my 2.2L beast. I started the engine and watched everything live. I also recorded some "snapshot" data and re-watched it. Pretty cool. I know most modern scanners can also do this.



Checking for Air Bag codes/communications. I did not have any DTCs. It is nice to know I can pull air bag codes and look at data!

 

I was able to auto bleed the ABS system. I felt the ABS pump vibrating through the pedal. I have done this at work after replacing rusty brake lines coming out of the ABS pump. Very useful, because it is nearly impossible to get air out of the ABS pump without being able to "auto bleed."

 

Overall I am very pleased with the function of the Chinese Tech 2. This technology is ancient by today's standards, so it's no surprise the Chinese are able to easily duplicate the tool and the basic software. I am headed to Best Buy to purchase a laptop and then I will download the TIS2000 software in order to program modules. One more cool thing I found in the "Chassis" section. Tire sizes. I can select a different tire size if I change my wheels and tires, therefore keeping the speedometer accurate. I think that's cool as hell! Let me know if you guys have any questions and I will try to answer them in a reasonable amount of time!

 

Did you get the "carton box" or the "plastic box"?

 

Most of the chinese knockoffs work. I have a tech2 and an mbstar. The problem is that you will not have access to corporate software. In the past you could get the TIS2000 subscription, or the mercedes equivalent, but I think those days are done.

 

I did not. It was an extra $55 just for the stupid plastic box. I will get a laptop bag and put everything in there for $10

 

You have chosen...…. WISELY!

 

I'm really interested in it's ability to program/reprogram the different GM modules...TCM, fuel pump module, etc, etc.

 

Can these read and write the firmware from the other modules? I ask because that might open the door to hacking the brake computer...

If we could tune out the "ice mode" phenomenon in C5 ABS, that would make a lot of road racers very happy.

 

I'm on my second Tech 2 clone and had the most recent one for well over a year now and aside from the issue they all seem to suffer as they age rebooting when the vehicle is cranked(they have a junk voltage regulator in them) it works fine. I've used it with TIS2000 and assuming you did your home work and got a decent one it will also work with SPS online. They are a LOT slower then an MDI or Vx Nano but you can load the file your going to flash into the tech 2 on a bench and take it out in the field with you and program the module/computer with out a laptop or internet access.

My biggest and only real complaint(other then a crap voltage regulator in the tool) is the cords a mile long on most of them and the plugs on the cords are not the greatest. When they lock the connector will still wiggle after its been used for a while and over time it spreads the terminals in the female side of the connector.

@NSFW they will flash other modules in the vehicle assuming it's a programmable module but they do not have any read function....they only write.

@CattleAc I've flashed BCM's, unlocked radios and programmed a couple of TCM's with out an issue. If you want to go newer then 2007(Yes they say it's 2008 but its spotty coverage at best) you need one that's got GOOD firmware or it'll get flagged by SPS. At least that was the case with the first one I had a few years back. The one I have now is one of the "Better Quality" versions and I have used it with the online software but I've only done it once. Once you have SPS installed and setup on your computer it's possible to use calibration files that are manually added into the folder SPS checks before going online to download data for a vehicle. SO if you know someone that's done a lot of flashing before they went to a pay per vin deal and they were cataloging all their flash files by vin or vehicle type it is possible to use those files with out needing to pay for access to get the files assuming you are able to find the files your after from a friend.

@NastyNate65 When they say "Truck" they are referring to vehicles with a 24 volt electrical system.