Okay here is the deal. I mostly worn on 4wd trucks, and 85% of them are GM. I have a snap on red brick that is only updated to 2005, and a tech2 updated to 2011. I am considering buying a solus ultra and wondering about selling off the tech 2. What will a tech 2 do on a gm that a solus ultra won't. Thanks for any info.
Tech 2 versus snap on solus ultra
- Thread starter lugnut71
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wafrederick
Well-known member
Keep the Tech 2,out does the Snap On.The Tech 2 is the best scan tool on the market and the only one with a built in missfire graphic.Have a customer with a 2001 and newer GM come in with a locked radio?The Tech 2 is the only way to unlock them,the radio is programed to that vehicle.Same with newer GM keys,have to be programed with the Tech 2.The trailblazers and envoys,the window switch has to be programed if replaced.Won't work out of the new parts box right away.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Yep. Needed a tech 2 to program a pk3 module that goes around the key switch on 2010 Chevy express. The wire inside of it broke off right where it was soldered to the board. Tried to re solder it but no go.
Professur
Well-known member
The electric power steering units are the same. IMO, that's taking proprietary too damn far.
My experience on a lot of the programming is not only having the tech2 but also paying the monthly subscription to download into the tech 2. I don't have that, and could never justify it. I used to reprogram tire size a lot on 95-2007 classic trucks, but found out I cant do that on 2007 and up. Just trying to justify the solus, thought it might do enough that I could get by without the tech 2.
Shopteacher
Well-known member
It depends on what you want to do...
Do you have the candi module for the tech 2 if not it is useless on 2008 and newer vehicles...
Do you have the candi module for the tech 2 if not it is useless on 2008 and newer vehicles...
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I use a tech 2 at work and own a solus ultra. I grab the solus every time. And to the guy who said you don't have a misfire counter.. That is incorrect. Only time a tech 2 comes in handy is doing programming. But everything is going to MDI anyways fr GM so soon tech 2 will be a dinasaur.
True, I have unlocked radios before and programmed key fobs, but you cant do any programming unless you have the subscription for the down loads. Yes I have the candi module. I am also aware that it wont work on some of the new gm stuff, however the older ones are gonna be around a long time to work on. I just wondering if the solus will do the guage sweep test, cycle door locks, pwr windows, htr controls all that kind of stuff. I did think the solus had the misfire counter. I basically need to update my red brick for ford and Chrysler but have been getting by cause mostly work on gm. Thought if the solus would do it, selling the tech 2 would help offset the cost.
Always thought I would keep it since I have a 2002 sierrs, 2004 suburban,2005 Silverado, and a 2006 grand prix. Also its my personal tool and the shop would be buying the solus. So the money would go in my pocket. And there seems to be a good demand for the tech2 nowadays.
wafrederick
Well-known member
The Tech 2 has a missfire graphic.I have seen missfire codes on GMs that say PO300 not saying which cylinder it is.Find out which one going to the missfire graphic which is built into the scan tool.Even the GM BCMs,can't program them with the solus done with the Tech 2 only.Have to watch it when buying a Tech 2.There are the Chinese made versions,they are good as the real deal and there is one thing you don't do to one.Don't ever have the updates installed in the Chinese version,they crash and throw it away when this happens.The real deal was made by Vetronix which Bosch bought out in 2003 made by Bosch now.
Fastbird
Well-known member
I have a solus ultra. While you can't do most programming features, you can activate the ABS Pump, you can monitor misfiring (it's a PID display by cylinder rather than a graphic). I'd put the solus on par with the Tech II until it comes to programming features, then the Tech II is the obvious winner.
GTA Matt
Well-known member
I have a tech2 and a snap on scanner. Not much the snap on can't do other then reflashes and a few programming features, especially with the latest 13.2 and 13.4 updates. I rarely pull the tech2 out, but its not worth it to sell for $500 or whatever a used tech2 and candi module are going for, for the once every few months I really need it. And graphing anything on a tech2 is next to worthless, you would absolutely love what the SO scan tools can do.
Can you cycle the ABS Module with the Snap-on scanner?
That's needed to bleed the air out of the ABS Module.
GTA Matt
Well-known member
Yes, been able to do abs automated bleeds with the SO scanner for several years now, and a whole lot better misfire graphic then the tech2 has.
Interesting. Thanks.
wafrederick
Well-known member
The newer GM automatic transmissions in the 2007 and up GM fullsize trucks,everything gets wiped out of the computer which is in the transmission when you unplug something from it.Has to be reprogramed by the Tech 2.
Tarheelgarage
Well-known member
GTA Matt
Well-known member
If the OP is aftermarket its going to be a few more years before that matters.
wafrederick
Well-known member
True.Jasper engines and transmissions has a test stand for these transmissions spending $100,000.00 on that also programs them.The 6L80 and 6L90 are this way
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Or in the field you can use a cardaq plus or GM dongle from Cardaq and a 55 dollar short term subscription to GMs SPS and program the TCM in those transmissions on replacement. FYI replacement is the only time you need to flash those other than a TSB correction
wafrederick
Well-known member
It is getting this way,unplug something from the transmission and computer gets completely wiped out of info.The replacement transmission does not work right away.The way Jasper does it is they get the vin off the truck from the Jasper dealer and they put the remanufactured 6L80 and 6L90 on this test stand programing it off the vin all ready to install.Plus with the Jasper reman is it does not need to be programed since it is done at Jasper.It is getting this way,transmission shops will be installing remans instead of rebuilding them.That test stand,transmission shops won't spend that money on one.GM and Chrysler are the only two that do this I know of.
You do not need to program a TCM if it is just unplugged, only if replaced, on a rebuild no programming needed, just a relearn needed, FYI MB has done this for years.
wafrederick
Well-known member
The 6L80 and 6L90 do have to be programed.Jasper rep that comes to my father's shop since my father is a Jasper dealer explained how a 6L80 and 6L90 is ordered.Jasper dealer gets the vin off the truck and calls Jasper giving the vin number to Jasper.Jasper needs the vin on the spot.The transmission is put on the stand and tested with the programing done also putting the vin in.Jasper is the only one that does this.
Um jasper needs the Vin on any order as the warranty is tied to the Vin, I was a Jasper Dealer but the quality is just not there.
As For the programing I have done ,many programing sessions, nothing hard to do. And as I stated the TCM can be programmed in the field. any modern shop should have no trouble with this, and again unplugging a Trans does not wipe the memory only the adaptions those just need to be relearned not reprogrammed. When you unplug your computer is everything wiped off it? no same with those transmission.
Please do not type thing you know nothing about.
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I work on a lot of 6l80-90 transmissions, and worked for GM. You kinda wrong here man. You can unplug that trans all day and it does nothing to the Tcm. Only if swapping a trans is a reprogramming needed. You can unplug to check connections and harness issues and such and affect nothing at all. Programming them is very easy and quick. Even faster on the mdi. Relearning adaptive strategies is all that's necissary as stated.
Better bone up on some stuff bud there's some good gm techs on here......quit spouting ****
Better bone up on some stuff bud there's some good gm techs on here......quit spouting ****
For instance I have an 07 Avalanche has something wrong with the back up sensors, I can not scan those with my Souls Ultra with 13.4, would have to have a Tech 2 in order to figure out my issue. Also have a problem with the air ride pump, so far I haven't found anywhere to turn it on through the Ultra to test it.
jimindm
Well-known member
If most of your work is on GM then invest in the tech2. I have a SO modis, that is updated to 13.4. Its a very good all makes-all models tool. Can it do a lot of what the tech2 can do? Sure it will. Will it do everything the tech2 does? No. Have not checked since the last update was installed, but radio, navigation, onstar, some of the parking sensors, stuff like that.
There are cheaper versions of programming out there. You do not need SO or GM equipment to do it. You do need a GM subscription to get the downloadable information.
SO equipment is pretty good, but it is not, and likely never going to be as good as any OEM scanner. Will it let you get to places and perform functions that most everyday shops are faced with day in and day out. With out a doubt it will.
There are cheaper versions of programming out there. You do not need SO or GM equipment to do it. You do need a GM subscription to get the downloadable information.
SO equipment is pretty good, but it is not, and likely never going to be as good as any OEM scanner. Will it let you get to places and perform functions that most everyday shops are faced with day in and day out. With out a doubt it will.
A Tech 2 is a J tool for GMs that work with a tech 2 aka No global A cars, so he only needs the sub to reflash GMs plus the required serial cable and laptop
Speaking as a potential buyer of a Tech 2...
If I only work on one GM vehicle (my 2005 GMT800 truck, Class II data, not CANbus), but want a full capacity scan tool with all the proprietary capacities that will do all the tasks that the 2005 GM Service Manual talks about... is a used Tech 2 without a subscription and without Candi a good tool for my DIY purposes?
If I only work on one GM vehicle (my 2005 GMT800 truck, Class II data, not CANbus), but want a full capacity scan tool with all the proprietary capacities that will do all the tasks that the 2005 GM Service Manual talks about... is a used Tech 2 without a subscription and without Candi a good tool for my DIY purposes?
My tech2 is an original hewlitt Packard from dealership, updated to 2011 and I bought a candi module couple yrs ago from dealership. Pretty sure I can get 2500 bucks out of it. Sell my graphing red brick for 600 and i'm only 400 bucks away from new ultra.
Yes it is the Same tool used by every GM dealer, you will not have programing abilities without a subscription to GM SPS.
FYI Tech 2s are the most cloned scan tool on the market, so most you see on ebay are clones and may cause many problems including not working right and never use for programing as it will go wrong
regguy1
Well-known member
I agree it's BS.
I ended up buying the Maxidas 780, I've read that they copied the GM tech 2 for
in the Maxidas, do you agree? If so maybe that would be a less expensive option for the OP.
GTA Matt
Well-known member
Maxidas is also an excellent tool. I have one, however, I have never used it on a gm vehicle so I'm not sure of its capabilities there. I know what my snap on is capable of, and if I'm not sure if it is capable of the task I'm doing, I just grab the tech2 to save time from going back and forth. On other makes it can do some things my snap on can't do, and my snap on can do some things the autel can't do. It would be a good second scan tool to have, and keep the tech2 since it is half the price of a solus. I would never recommend getting rid of a tech2 if you are doing a lot of work on gm vehicles. I also can't see getting $2500 for a used one.
NissanTechWill
Well-known member
When I was in tech school we called the Tech "Jesus's Scan Tool" because it looks so old.
-Will
-Will
It probably depends on the individual experience and training, but for my hobbyist purposes, I have found that having the same scan tool that the factory service manual refers to is helpful, because I don't have to translate the instructions for the factory scan tool into the menu system of an aftermarket scan tool.
I also have a few Fords, and to work on those I bought the New Generation Star scan tool. which was the official Ford scan tool from 1984 until 2009. It is wonderful having the NGS. Soooo much more bi directional capability... not just reading codes, but being able to identify the software revisions of modules, and monitor all the proprietary PIDs in real time.
When HF came out with the scantool that had the ABS capability, I almost bought it. I'm very happy I didn't waste that $150.00. It isn't enough to just see the ABS fault codes. It is far better to see what each individual wheel speed sensor is reporting in real time, in order to confirm which wheel speed sensor is acting intermittently or lagging.
I also almost bought a software based scan tool with proprietary enhancements. But with those, you have to first boot up Windows operating system, then provide separate power to the laptop, jump through update hoops when the cloud decides it is time, etc. On the other hand, with the hand held dedicated scan tool... plug it in to the DLC and it is ready RIGHT NOW. I read somewhere that 62% of service techs prefer the immediacy and ergonomics of dedicated hand held scan tools. I can see why.
I think there is great value for hobbyists like me to pick up the "obsoleted" factory scan tool for the makes/brands of interest. My cars are all over 10 years old, and the factory stopped releasing new calibrations for both the modules as well as the service diagnostic routines for them. So a five year old factory scan tool is as up to date as it needs to be for these purposes.
I can see where a working pro would want to have the Ford IDS, or the GM MDI, etc. But those are subscription based scan tools, and the subscription is 4 figures a year. Not suited for the hobbyist who is looking for the capability that the dealerships had back when the car of interest was new.
Just random thoughts on the topic of comparing factory vs aftermarket scan tools. The purpose for what they will be used for is as an important part of the comparison equation as the capabilities of the tool itself.
I also have a few Fords, and to work on those I bought the New Generation Star scan tool. which was the official Ford scan tool from 1984 until 2009. It is wonderful having the NGS. Soooo much more bi directional capability... not just reading codes, but being able to identify the software revisions of modules, and monitor all the proprietary PIDs in real time.
When HF came out with the scantool that had the ABS capability, I almost bought it. I'm very happy I didn't waste that $150.00. It isn't enough to just see the ABS fault codes. It is far better to see what each individual wheel speed sensor is reporting in real time, in order to confirm which wheel speed sensor is acting intermittently or lagging.
I also almost bought a software based scan tool with proprietary enhancements. But with those, you have to first boot up Windows operating system, then provide separate power to the laptop, jump through update hoops when the cloud decides it is time, etc. On the other hand, with the hand held dedicated scan tool... plug it in to the DLC and it is ready RIGHT NOW. I read somewhere that 62% of service techs prefer the immediacy and ergonomics of dedicated hand held scan tools. I can see why.
I think there is great value for hobbyists like me to pick up the "obsoleted" factory scan tool for the makes/brands of interest. My cars are all over 10 years old, and the factory stopped releasing new calibrations for both the modules as well as the service diagnostic routines for them. So a five year old factory scan tool is as up to date as it needs to be for these purposes.
I can see where a working pro would want to have the Ford IDS, or the GM MDI, etc. But those are subscription based scan tools, and the subscription is 4 figures a year. Not suited for the hobbyist who is looking for the capability that the dealerships had back when the car of interest was new.
Just random thoughts on the topic of comparing factory vs aftermarket scan tools. The purpose for what they will be used for is as an important part of the comparison equation as the capabilities of the tool itself.