Tech 1 or Tech 2 scanner tool

[jcobz28]

It seems like there are a lot of procedures on my 96 SLS that simply can't be done without the Tech 1 (or Tech 2) GM scanner tool. Since they sell for about $3,600 purchasing one is not an option. I won't pay a dealer $90 for 1 read either. Does anybody know of a company or person that rents this tool out? Seems like it would be a good idea. I couldn't find anything from googling or yahoo search.

Just like there is a caddyinfo.com waterpump socket rental, there should be a tech2 rental! =)

[Ranger]

Wasn't Logan renting one at one time?

[BodybyFisher]

We once spoke about buying one to lend out, but as you noted its quite expensive and in reality there is little recourse if someone were not to return it, lose it, break it, or if it got lost in shipping. I'd love to have one, and you are right, there are a LOT of things you can do with it, diagnosing would be so easy..

[Bruce Nunnally]

Here's one on ebay starting at US$1,800.

I can save up and chip in the shipping!

[BodybyFisher]

Hmmm now that is not bad.... I have a sickness,

[Logan]

GM Tech 1. 2 versions available. Tech 1 and 1a. The 1a was a updated version.

Sometimes you can find a used Tech 1a on eBay for a good price. Look for one that has the dealership 'mass storage cartridge', it allows access to all systems. The Tech 1 and 1a were set up on a system by system 'cartridge' design. Pricey little bastards at about $800 each. So for '95 ABS you had to have the '94-'95 ABS cartridge for example. The 'mass' one is a dealership version that covered all systems. We currently have a Tech 1a with both dealership 'mass' thru 1997 and a Global OBDII cartridge.

Vetronix made the Tech 1. GM software support for the Tech 1 ended after 1997. That being said, there is a OBDII Global cartridge that covers powertrain for all OBDII diagnostics, example Ford, Honda, Toyota etc Fed codes only. Seems to work fine on wifes 2003 VUE with Opel V6 engine (software hang up with most OBDII laptop software)

The mass strorage cartridges could be updated with a GM Techline CD release.

GM Tech 2. Originally developed by Hewlett Packard using Vetronix software..go figure. Vetronix ended up buying out the Hewlet Packard production line. So now the Tech 2 is a 'whole' Vetronix product.

That being said....Bosch Germany recently bought out all of Vetronix.

Originaly sent out with a 10 mb PICMA card. Current versions need a 32 mb PICMA card. Be aware...there are different types of PICMA cards. Some bogus ones on eBay cannot be updated. You need the real one.

Software updates...gone are the cartridges. Now all you need to do is insert the 32mb card into a Tech 2 that has the current updates...and copy to the new card...5 minute procedure.

Its all there on the Tech 2, powertrain, abs, air bag, ride control etc..

As for the Tech 2 rental program. Very expensive tool. $2300 is about the best deal you will find on eBay. Also some cars (Saturn Ion) also need an additional CAN module to communicate to CAN systems. Another $800 clams.......!

The demand would be too high. Too much damage. Too much risk....couldnt get it gel up. That being said....watch our next post. New rental equipment program comming!

[Cadillac Jim]

I had decided that I was going to get a PC-based scan tool (connector to laptop, software CD-ROM) because they have all the capability of the Tech II, work on all makes of cars, and are supported by the manufacturer. Cost for a full capability model was about $400 when I looked last year. Here's a sampling of links that I turned up with a search:

Smorgasbord:

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAct...mp;Category=637

Others:

http://www.levineautoparts.com/autcodscan.html

http://www.myscantool.com/

Etc.

My observation is that most pro mechanics and state inspection stations use a PC-based scan tool. That may be because they must service all makes, foreign and domestic, but that hardly seems a disadvantage to the tool, even if you have just one Cadillac to service. Most of them are designed for the full time mechanic but some of them are clearly designed for people like us, who will need them two or three times a year for our personal cars. Note that ToolTopia sells some that work with Palm Pilots.

I can see what may have happened with GM, Vetronix, HP, and Bosch. GM picked a good niche player as contractor for the Tech I but may have them found them less responsive as a contractor during the later product support phases, and if they were too confident about their "ownership" of the Tech I, Vetronix may have lost the bid for the follow-on Tech II project by not trying hard enough when it was offered for competitive bids. If GM paid for the software development for the Tech I, they may have owned it according to the terms of the original contract, hence they would have provided it to HP once HP was the contractor for the Tech II.

HP is a good company, and was once the premier engineering instrumentation company in the world. Tektronics and other magnificent instrumentation companies, most of them in Oregon, are spin-offs of HP. However, the current generation of management spun off the instrumentation division as Agilent Technologies and focused on consumer electronics, particularly PCs and peripherals, and calculators. This is a very volatile business and it does not develop in-depth teams for support of stable infrastructure capabilities like the Tech II, and HP probably saw their Tech II team as providing less profit per dollar investment value than the PC lines, and Vetronix was dying on the vine without the Tech II, so...

Vetronix:

http://www.vetronix.com/

ETAS is a German company that originally bought Vetronix in 2003:

http://www.etas.com/en/index.php

Bosch division that now includes ETAS:

http://www.boschdiagnostics.net/

HP Instruments History from Agilent (PDF file):

http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5980-2090E.pdf

[bobbnsueb@sbcglobal.net]

Hi,

Do any of these tools deal with ABS codes?

Bob B

I had decided that I was going to get a PC-based scan tool (connector to laptop, software CD-ROM) because they have all the capability of the Tech II, work on all makes of cars, and are supported by the manufacturer. Cost for a full capability model was about $400 when I looked last year. Here's a sampling of links that I turned up with a search:

[Logan]

Hi,

Do any of these tools deal with ABS codes?

Bob B

Most laptop software packages only deal in FED powertrain codes. Some GM codes are hidden from aftermarket tools. No coverage for ABS, Airbag etc..

We have a laptop system that cannot 'see' a 2003 Saturn VUE with Opel V6 engine. Kinda pissed but we also have the Tech tools..Our laptop system is a 'Harrison R&D' unit. This same unit also cause a system crash on my 2001 Deville. I was able to clear the Cadillac system using the IPC. Seems to work OK on BMW and Chrysler..

As for ABS..

Tech1 and 1a. Yes, if you have the ABS cartridge or a Mass Strorage cartridge.

Tech2. Should have coverage back to 1990 for ABS. All systems.