Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Big_Roger on 31 January 2008, 16:40:18

Title: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: Big_Roger on 31 January 2008, 16:40:18
Hi All,
Thankfully I don't have any EML problems, but mindfull that my Omega cannot be "Paperclipped" and sure that one day the dreaded EML will show up, I have been looking at some of the Tech 2 offers on e bay.

I am bewildered by how many there are, and various prices, all claiming to do the same job and looking much the same.
From some of the comments I have read, seems they will be in German or Hungarian!!

I was interested in one on e bay at present from someone in France complete with software disc.

Has any one any recommendations to make from experience.
I don't have a Laptop yet, and other than for this application don't see a use for one, so help with which one would be appreciated, what operating sys will it need?

Is there not a version that doesn't need a laptop?

Roger
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: Jay w on 31 January 2008, 16:43:53
the ones you see one ebay are what we refer to as 'cheapy tech 2'

the real one will cost the thick end of a grand and i beleive that will still need a lappy to support it
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: TheBoy on 31 January 2008, 21:49:44
Quote
the ones you see one ebay are what we refer to as 'cheapy tech 2'

the real one will cost the thick end of a grand and i beleive that will still need a lappy to support it
and then some.

cheapo tech2 and real tech2 scanner are very different devices with very different capabilities.
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: Big_Roger on 31 January 2008, 22:31:09
Cheers for the replies
I quite understand that these are not "The Bees Knees" diagnostics tools.

I just want something approx equivalent to a "paperclip" reading to indentify a few common sensor failings etc.

Preferably not using a laptop.

Has anyone trie the Gendan self contained code reader?

Roger
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: alexandjen on 31 January 2008, 22:46:21
Quote
Cheers for the replies
I quite understand that these are not "The Bees Knees" diagnostics tools.

I just want something approx equivalent to a "paperclip" reading to indentify a few common sensor failings etc.

Preferably not using a laptop.

Has anyone trie the Gendan self contained code reader?

Roger

I bought one of these.....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GS400-Pro-OBD-2-Scanner-Diagnostic-Trouble-Code-Reader_W0QQitemZ300193011474QQihZ020QQcategoryZ30921QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Excellent for what I need, gives you the code and the explanation of the fault. It also clears the faults from the ecu  :y
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: TheBoy on 01 February 2008, 07:47:57
Quote
Cheers for the replies
I quite understand that these are not "The Bees Knees" diagnostics tools.

I just want something approx equivalent to a "paperclip" reading to indentify a few common sensor failings etc.

Preferably not using a laptop.

Has anyone trie the Gendan self contained code reader?

Roger
All the lowish cost handheld scanners can do engine ecu only.  For your 3.2, any generic OBDII reader should do, though cas your car is not CAN, if you get a CAN one, make sure it can do non CAN as well.
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: old cruiser on 01 February 2008, 08:57:41
Go for the ELM 327, I bought one of these and there is free software around that works well with it , check out www.talktomycar.co.uk
Cheers Pete
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: TheBoy on 01 February 2008, 11:09:08
elm ones work will with free www.scantool.net software
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: arthill on 01 February 2008, 17:57:45
Is Elm 327 hand held or does it work with laptop
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: TheBoy on 01 February 2008, 18:16:07
Quote
Is Elm 327 hand held or does it work with laptop
elm32x is a chip that many odbII kit is based on. Usually laptop needed.
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: petec on 01 February 2008, 20:28:10
The ELM327 seems to come in different flavours, there is a USB & a serial com port version, both of these seem to be multi protocol from the link above. Then there is an Elmscan 5 which is also multiprotocol.

First assuming your laptop has both a real com port and a USB port do both interfaces perform eqqually well (I have heard of synch problems on the fleabay tech2's when used on USB.

Secondly is the unit marketed as elmscan 5 just a brand of ELM 327 device.

Oh yes and is it possible to diagnose transmission, climate control etc using this type of hardware, possibly with a different software package.
cheers :)
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: old cruiser on 01 February 2008, 21:05:34

The elm 327 I bought from them (talktomycar) works fine with USB on laptop , all I can say is that regarding reading the Transmission;  a software package from www.gendan.co.uk called vauxcheck will soon have the capability of reading transmission as last time i spoke with them, they were working on it. I do believe the Elmscan 5 is a brand of the 327.
Cheers Pete
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: TheBoy on 01 February 2008, 22:43:32
Quote
The ELM327 seems to come in different flavours, there is a USB & a serial com port version, both of these seem to be multi protocol from the link above. Then there is an Elmscan 5 which is also multiprotocol.

First assuming your laptop has both a real com port and a USB port do both interfaces perform eqqually well (I have heard of synch problems on the fleabay tech2's when used on USB.

Secondly is the unit marketed as elmscan 5 just a brand of ELM 327 device.

Oh yes and is it possible to diagnose transmission, climate control etc using this type of hardware, possibly with a different software package.
cheers :)
The ELM based ones are not tech2 (be it proper tech2 or cheapo).

The USB issue will only be a problem with 'dumb' leads such as cheapo tech2 and earlier vag-com compatible leads.  The ELM32x is a chip which itself deals with all car communications, relaying info over whatever interface is needed.

It is unlikely that ELM32x will get low cost diag software that does more than engine due to the complexity of doing the software.  In the case of the Omega, there is a further hardware issue as well...
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: petec on 09 February 2008, 23:14:45
Can you expand a little on the further hardware issue please.
 :)
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: TheBoy on 09 February 2008, 23:16:28
Quote
Can you expand a little on the further hardware issue please.
 :)
It has 4 diag lines rather than the normal 1 (or 2 in case of VAG cars)
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: petec on 10 February 2008, 00:10:22
What is the impact of having 4 diag lines on an elm327 based interface, does it mean that elm based software will not perform as well on an omega as on other vehicles ? :-/
Title: Re: Which Tech 2 ??
Post by: TheBoy on 10 February 2008, 18:10:46
Quote
What is the impact of having 4 diag lines on an elm327 based interface, does it mean that elm based software will not perform as well on an omega as on other vehicles ? :-/
You would need to modify the hardware and the software.