GM Tech2 Clone Pontiac Firebird Review

I did get one of those GM Tech-2 clones. Got it here with a plastic case.

https://www.obdii365.com/wholesale/high-quality-gm-tech2-gm-diagnostic-scanner-1362.html

Tech2 clone

Tech2 clone handheld

the CANdi module

Tech2 case

It looks nice with no visible defects except for the main 'Tech 2" label on top which is slightly too large for the recess where it is stuck. Only had it a day now and after using it for a coupe of hours, the "Oh-no I bought a DOA lemon with no way to return it !"  devil hasn't appeared yet. It seems to do everything as advertised, as much as I can tell for now. All the Bi-directional actuators work fine. The graphs and tables of PID's look good. Can read the ABS, SIR, and body modules ok. It came with a 2013 data set already installed, and while I may have to order updates from China from now on, that's ok with me. I may ever need them.

It's larger than I thought, almost takes two hands to carry. The OBD cable is huge, presumably meant for heavy shop usage. The firmware covers the 1991-2013 years, including Saturns. The case is the size of a small/medium size suitcase. There are 5 adapters and 3 power cables (AC, cigar lighter, and battery clips).

I read many, many questions from other people who asked for any recommendations in buying one, why not? It is cheap and working !

Still going strong after many uses. Used it to troubleshoot a cooling fan noise issue. It was nice to be able to switch the fan(s) on and off whenever I wanted.

GM Tech2 Clone Duramax Review

 Since all I drive is GM vehicles I figured I should own a GM scanner under $300.  I have done some research online and found a working Tech II clone with positive reviews.

I just ordered a Tech2 Chinese clone latest night. I didn’t pay extra $55 just for the stupid plastic box.

Here is the unit I purchased for reference:

https://www.obdii365.com/wholesale/gm-tech2-gm-diagnostic-scanner-with-32mb-card-tis2000.html

Shipping was free and fast.  The package shipped from Hong Kong on Monday and arrived at my door on Thursday. Amazing!  Everything appears to be as advertised, except I didn’t receive all of the stickers. Not a huge deal.  Here are a few pictures I snapped with my phone. The tech2 clone 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, but he said it worked fine.

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 airbag 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 GM 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 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!

http://blog.obdii365.com/2021/11/15/gm-tech2-china-clone-review-on-gmc-duramax/

Saab 2006 Rear Window Express Program Retrofit with Tech2

 Rear window "express-up" retrofit

So, as we all know, in 2006 and newer models, SAAB got rid of the express-up feature for the rear door windows when controlled from the driver's switchpack. Call it GM "decontenting" or maybe due to societal stupidity and potential lawsuits (?), whatever the reason, I really like the feature and it's always driven me nuts that the switches are there but don't work as they should. It's like dangling candy in front of a baby! :evil: I probably wouldn't even have thought to do this if SAAB hadn't kept using the driver's switchpack with double-detent rear window buttons! But they did. And I most always drive with my windows down, especially the drivers window and the window directly behind me (so I don't get buffeted in the face, try it sometime!).

So, with that said, here's how to retrofit express-up windows into your 2006+ sedan or Combi.

You'll need the following parts:

- Rear left window motor (6-pin version), part number 12788801
- Rear right window motor (6-pin version), part number 12788802

- Rear left window regulator (pinch-protection version), part number 12793730
- Rear right window regulator (pinch-protection version), part number 12793731

- Rear left door harness (w/6 pin motor connection), part number 12785580
- Rear right door harness (w/6 pin motor connection), part number 12785581

- GM Tech 2, CANdi box, security access with TIS2000 subscription

- Patience and a good chunk of time

Everything is literally plug and play once you've sourced the correct parts. Remove and replace the regulators, motors, and harnesses. Not hard to do at all. 

The only exception is if you have rear door speakers like I do (apparently not that common?). You'll have to transplant the speaker harness into the new harness to keep the speakers. Couple of thoughts on this: rear door speakers really don't do a whole lot, so it's not a deal-breaker if you don't feel like doing this. Or if you want, you can just make a new harness for the speakers. I wanted to do it factory-style, so I moved the harness, moved the pins, re-wrapped the harness, etc.

After everything is in, it won't work. Don't worry! You still need to program the RLDM and RRDM (rear left and right door modules). In comes the Tech 2:

1. Get security access.
2. Diagnostics, select year and car, select "All".
3. Add/Remove.
4. Remove both the RLDM and RRDM.
5. Add the RLDM and RRDM, specify "With Anti-Pinch Motors". Also select "EU" for Market just in case. Here's the tricky part, where I almost gave up! DO NOT SELECT THE YEAR OF YOUR CAR. It won't work. You have to "trick" the system. Select 2004 when it asks the year of the car.
6. Once the modules have been added back in, calibrate the rear window pinch protection just as you would the front windows. You'll hear a "beep" from the SID letting you know the windows have been calibrated.
7. Enjoy your express-up windows!

This may seem trivial but I literally yelped when it finally worked. 

 What good are auto-up windows if only 2 of the 4 work?

Hope that helps anyone else looking to do this!

GM Saab PSG16 Programming by Tech2 via SPS

 Question:

I need to program a psg16 pump vp44 (the Opel Vectra 2.2 dti car got several electrical errors due to a PSG16 change). I see that gm tech2 scanner can do it. If I buy a new PCMCIA card, can I get it working? the MDI/MDI2 can I also program?

Answer:

You can flash/swap PSG16 pump via SPS original software.

If you want to program PSG16 you can easily do it with tech2 and TIS2000, GlobalTis v32 or Tis2web. You can buy any card because you can overwrite the software that you need from TIS.

You also can use GM MDI or GM MDI2 or AVDI or any good/approved J2534 tool can be used to do SPS Programming in PSG16.
You download sps on PCMCIA card then cut from card read.

EDC 15 / PSG 16 Reprogramming by Tech2 via SPS

Follow the description below carefully to ensure success.

 

1. Connect TECH2 scan tool to the data link connector.

2. Start TECH2 and select F5: Service Programming System (SPS).

3. Select F0: Request Information.

4. Then select: model year, vehicle type, group, system

5. Follow the instructions in TECH2.

6. Disconnect TECH2 from the vehicle and connect it to the COM port of the computer (flat cable). TIS2000 must be installed on the computer.

7. Check that the software of the computer is newer than that of EDC 15/PSG 16. If so, download it to TECH2.

8. Disconnect TECH2 from the computer and reconnect it to the vehicle.

9. Start TECH2 and select F5: Service Programming System (SPS).

10. Select F1: Program control module.

11. Follow the instructions in TECH2.

12. Wait until programming is complete. This takes approx. 7 minutes.

13. Once programming is complete: switch off the ignition.

14. Test start the engine.

15. Read and clear any DTCs in the control unit. A DTC will be generated because the pump control unit loses communication with EDC 15/PSG 16 during programming.

16. Final check:

Clear DTCs in all systems.

Execute one operating cycle (run the vehicle at varying engine load and speed for five minutes).

Evaluate the operating cycle (check that DTCs were not regenerated).

http://blog.obdii365.com/2021/03/09/gm-saab-psg16-pump-sps-programming-via-tech2/