Buying your own Tech 2 - Viable for the home DIY mechanic?

[VL Executive]

Hi all

Im looking at buying my own Tech 2 - There are a couple of ebay sellers selling them for between $799 - $899. These are "Vetronix Holden Tech 2 Version 147" I would like to have one as Im in the sticks, and situated about 100 km from the nearest dealer. Plus I like to do my own work to my vehicles. ATM my VY SS needs a dash cluster reprogam as I got a new cluster, and it also keeps bringing up an intermittant ABS light on the dash.

Thing is, I would probably use it for these two things and after that, would probably just sit and get seldom use. Electronics problems are a bit of a rarity. I have a VT series 1 and a VY SS II, and they are they are the only vehicles I have that I could use it on. Also have a workmate that brings his VZ around for servicing, etc.

Really its only for a convenience / handy device for the rare occasions these problems arise.

How long can they be let sit for without use?

[abrowne70]

Dont know if i could justify buying it just for at home.

We have one at work which is bloody useful, and im assuming it can sit for as long as u want before using it again

[bigfoot]

Dont know if i could justify buying it just for at home.

We have one at work which is bloody useful, and im assuming it can sit for as long as u want before using it again

Yeah, I have got together heaps of tools in my shed over the years which I hardly ever use and I have also looked at buying a Tech 2
but as I have mates at Holden dalerships who will help me out whenever and I hardly ever need one I doubt I will ever own one.

[IJ.]

Bit useless without "TIS" approval....

[VL Executive]

Bit useless without "TIS" approval....

What is the TIS approval? Gee, there seems to be a stumbling block with everything. :(

Ebay ad does not make mention of that?

[IJ.]

For a LOT of the operations in a Holden you need to log into Holden and get "approval" to make the change, otherwise it's just an expensive ScanGauge.

[bush_basha]

you obviously know the the tech 2 on eBay is a cloned copy!

also TIS approval is the website gm dealers subscribe too to get access to reprogram updated stuff and what not. apparently the general public can access TIS by paying for the subscription for a certain amount of time.
http://www.acdelcotds.com/acdelco/action/subscribehome

I am also looking at buying one for the off job obviously it's an expensive tool to have for the odd use but I like to be able to muck around with the stuff when I can instead of paying someone else

[VL Executive]

you obviously know the the tech 2 on eBay is a cloned copy!

also TIS approval is the website gm dealers subscribe too to get access to reprogram updated stuff and what not. apparently the general public can access TIS by paying for the subscription for a certain amount of time.
http://www.acdelcotds.com/acdelco/action/subscribehome

I am also looking at buying one for the off job obviously it's an expensive tool to have for the odd use but I like to be able to muck around with the stuff when I can instead of paying someone else

This was the one I was looking at - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vetronix-Holden-Tech-2-Version-147-With-User-Manual-Suit-VT-VX-VY-VZ-VE-HSV (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vetronix-Holden-Tech-2-Version-147-With-User-Manual-Suit-VT-VX-VY-VZ-VE-HSV-/281065722862?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4170d293ee)

So with that straight out of the box, I could not reprogram a VY dash cluster, ie put original odo kms off the old cluster to the new one without TIS issues?

What else can you or cant do with that tech 2 without the TIS? The ebay ad says you can do just about anything with it and makes no mention of TIS.

Sorry about the questions, but I just want to make sure it will do what I want before I buy it. What can, and cant it do straight out of the box?

[bush_basha]

yeh that's a replica of the tech 2 it says it in the add. apparently most of them are just as good as the real thing tho.

I couldn't tell you what it can and can't do out of the box. but I think anything to do with reprogramming has to go on TIS, I think I read somewhere that for the older model cars TIS2000 (a cable and software the tech 2's come with) can be accessed to reprogram certain stuff without the subscription but don't quote me on that.

all I suggest is doing lots more research on it. I've done a bit of research myself but I get mixed results. but I'll still get one eventually I believe.

don't worry about all the questions mate, this is what a forum is all about.

[VL Executive]

yeh that's a replica of the tech 2 it says it in the add. apparently most of them are just as good as the real thing tho.

I couldn't tell you what it can and can't do out of the box. but I think anything to do with reprogramming has to go on TIS, I think I read somewhere that for the older model cars TIS2000 (a cable and software the tech 2's come with) can be accessed to reprogram certain stuff without the subscription but don't quote me on that.

all I suggest is doing lots more research on it. I've done a bit of research myself but I get mixed results. but I'll still get one eventually I believe.

don't worry about all the questions mate, this is what a forum is all about.

Yeah, Ive been doing a bit of searching / research online most of the morning and cant get any real solid infomation about it. Quite mixed really. Some info ive seen even suggests the "cloned" Tech 2 is not compatable with some GM TIS software. Pretty confusing really.

[IJ.]

Thanks BB I looked into one awhile back and got discouraged by the whole TIS thing, would be invaluable living where I do!

[bush_basha]

that's the same problem I'm getting is mixed info, I don't want to spend $1000 on a paperweight. lol. I always ask the seller whether or not it can access the TIS web some say no some say yes but again there word isn't gospel as they just want the money, lol. I guess if you use PayPal and eBay if it doesn't do as described then maybe you have a chance to get your money back??

no worries Ian, it's really hard to get straight info when everyone you talk to has a different answer. lol.

one bloke I did speak to off another forum gave me the web link and said its possible to go on TIS as he has done it. however he wasn't sure if his tech 2 was a clone or not which you really want to know if it works with clones or not before you buy one

[IJ.]

That and the 3K per year to have full access is a touch off putting ;)

[bush_basha]

haha yeh but you can buy like a 2-3 day pass for $55

[Micks]

Not trying to be a downer, but @ the end of the day a home user aint gunna need the tool & TIS access everyday! Be very hard to justify the purchase for the sake of updates or basically a fault resetting tool. Understand the average tuning tools or scanners don't fully replicate a Tech 2 but ya gotta ask yourself is it really worth the outlay!!

[IJ.]

haha yeh but you can buy like a 2-3 day pass for $55
Normal DTC's are easily reset with HP Tuners or EFI-Live, even my ScanGauge-II does a not bad job just doesn't understand what some are so spits out a Generic b2a000 code ;)

My Holden Deal will clear little codes like SRS free most times for the bigger stuff like linking the charges aren't too bad, only real PITA is the 240Km round trip.

[VL Executive]

Hi all, bit of an update

I asked the seller the following question -


I am interested in buying the Vetronix Holden Tech 2. But I have been told about TIS Security approval requirements before some functions can be performed. (Having to log into Holden with the tech 2, and get "approval" to make changes)

What changes cant be done without TIS approval? Id like to reprogram a new dash cluster with the correct odometer km/s. Will this tech 2 do this without having to get approval?



Their Response -


Hey Mate,
TIS approval is required to reprogram bcm links to ecu, depending on software key programming and somethimes setting km's. In saying that we have a version of software that does not ask for tis approval when doing key programming. This is the same for new clusters but sometimes it does ask. You can however get TIS approval from GM Global website but depnding on how often you use it depends on the costs invovled. Its $55 for 2 days access, $275 for 3 months access or $995 for one year. as i said it depend how often you need to do it.
There is no tech 2 out there that will be able to perform these functions without TIS approval.
Thanks

[dgp]

So is he saying that you need TIS access to program a key???