Upgrade from Autel MS906TS?

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Hey all. The tool is MANY years old so before I go and purchase a $550 upgrade card for the software again... does anybody have any recommendations for an AS capable or more capable tool that doesn't cost a fortune? I hooked up to a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it wouldn't let me scan without a subscription which i thought was odd so I had to use my Bluedriver, but i often use bi-directional functions, etc. so i'd need something as capable and i'm wondering if throwing the $550 into a new tool makes more sense?

 

[zmotorsports]

Can't speak for others, but I just updated my Autel MS906TS Pro about six months ago. I was able to negotiate a little less expensive update through my local NAPA store. Not much, but slightly less than what Autel wants and I feel it was worth it. The MS906TS is a solid performer.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Can't speak for others, but I just updated my Autel MS906TS Pro about six months ago. I was able to negotiate a little less expensive update through my local NAPA store. Not much, but slightly less than what Autel wants and I feel it was worth it. The MS906TS is a solid performer.

It is. But at 8 years old I feel like if I throw $550 into a new tool with 1-2 years of free updates and potentially better hardware it may be more worth it. I just don't want to lose functionality.

 

[cgrutt]

Not sure if this is needed for your vehicle but somebody was talking about $50 subscription needed to use scanner on certain newer vehicles equipped with a Secure Gateway Module (SGM). I know he said Chrysler after around 2018-2019. He also said scanner subscription needs to be up to date within past year. Just mentioning because sounds like this may be situation with your vehicle and you may not need to update scanner (if it recently expired) but purchase the $50 SGM subscription instead.

 

[signcrafter]

It is. But at 8 years old I feel like if I throw $550 into a new tool with 1-2 years of free updates and potentially better hardware it may be more worth it. I just don't want to lose functionality.

That has been my philosophy over the last decade. I buy a new scan tool and it comes with a year or two of free updates and then it's still good for a few more years since I'm not working on brand new vehicles usually. When I start needing it for newer vehicles then it's updated to I just buy a new scan tool for 1000-1500 and it's good for another 5 or so years(2 years of updates plus a couple years since I don't see any vehicles until they are a few years old). But I'll be losing those extra few years since you need a scan tool with up to date subscription for newer vehicles.

I have done this and have 3 autels now but next one is going to be something different. I like my autels but it's nice to have different scan tools because some work better with some makes then others.

Not sure if this is needed for your vehicle but somebody was talking about $50 subscription needed to use scanner on certain newer vehicles equipped with a Secure Gateway Module (SGM). I know he said Chrysler after around 2018-2019. He also said scanner subscription needs to be up to date within past year. Just mentioning because sounds like this may be situation with your vehicle and you may not need to update scanner (if it recently expired) but purchase the $50 SGM subscription instead.

Yes no matter if he updates his tool or buys a new scan tool he will need a scan tool with a current subscription and auto auth subscription. Without it you can have the best scan tool but it's only good for reading codes. I've been looking into this which means getting a new scan tool(or updating my current one) because my subscription ran out in 2023. But haven't cared since I don't work on anything newer.

 

[Rusted Nut]

For your 2019 Grand Cherokee, you coukd get “jscan”. It’s a phone based app. Costs about $30 for the app, and around $90 for a dongle that connects your phone to the vehicle. You’ll need 12+8 bypass cable. jscan does a lot, has some bi-directional functions, etc… You can download a free version to check it out. I looked into Autel, etc… I just use jscan on my 2018 Jeep.