Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Humpy on 05 December 2008, 15:15:48

Title: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Humpy on 05 December 2008, 15:15:48
I had a mate use his genuine Tech 2 machine on another mates Vectra to diagnose a problem. We solved the problem (airflow meter) but the tickover was low which he upped using the Tech 2 machine! I didn't realise that you could do that sort of thing with the Tech 2 machines.

I wonder, a;what can you do with one of these machines and b; I know they're expensive but how much and how good are the clone equivalents?

Humpy
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: dbug on 05 December 2008, 15:35:29
Real Tech 2 expensive - ask TB
Clone Tech 2 - cheap <£30 - can read most codes and reset a lot of codes - useful but thats it.
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 05 December 2008, 15:52:08
Not much a real Tech2 cant do....and many things it can do including things you shouldn't.....an example being changing the factory default setting for engine idle!

Why did he up it...was it not idling at the ECU request speed?
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Humpy on 05 December 2008, 16:17:20
Mark,

It didn't show any codes but warned that the tickover was low. Is that not good then? My buddy (who is a Vauxhall trained mechanic) says that the ECU's take a few miles to reset these type of things themselves which is why he did it manually (well, manually via the Tech2!)

I see Gunson do a tester for a couple of hundred £ is that any good? Do any of these clones have the funtionality (or near) of the full blown Tech2's?

Edit: The Tech2 warned that the tickover was less than recommended (default?) so he set it to the default 900rpm. Perhaps someone had adjusted it previously to the lower setting? I take it then that you can't alter the tickover manualy anymore?

Humpy
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: dbug on 05 December 2008, 16:55:26
900rpm seems high idle for a V6 - 500-650rpm (dependant whether a/c compressor running) normal for these engines!
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 05 December 2008, 16:58:09
Quote
Mark,

It didn't show any codes but warned that the tickover was low. Is that not good then? My buddy (who is a Vauxhall trained mechanic) says that the ECU's take a few miles to reset these type of things themselves which is why he did it manually (well, manually via the Tech2!)

I see Gunson do a tester for a couple of hundred £ is that any good? Do any of these clones have the funtionality (or near) of the full blown Tech2's?

Edit: The Tech2 warned that the tickover was less than recommended (default?) so he set it to the default 900rpm. Perhaps someone had adjusted it previously to the lower setting? I take it then that you can't alter the tickover manualy anymore?

Humpy
Oh dear.....
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Humpy on 05 December 2008, 17:08:05
Dbug,

It's a 2L petrol not a V6 if that makes a difference to the tickover.

TheBoy,

"Oh dear" :-? Now you've got me worried :(

Humpy
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: dbug on 05 December 2008, 17:35:29
Quote
Dbug,

It's a 2L petrol not a V6 if that makes a difference to the tickover.

TheBoy,

"Oh dear" :-? Now you've got me worried :(

Humpy


Whoops - sorry assumed it was your motor - should have read original post properly! :-[
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 05 December 2008, 18:11:11
Quote
Dbug,

It's a 2L petrol not a V6 if that makes a difference to the tickover.

TheBoy,

"Oh dear" :-? Now you've got me worried :(

Humpy

Yes....ow dear!

The base idle settings are a constant programmed at the factory, they do not adjust, need adjusting or should be adjusted.

The ECU looks at the real engine rpm (from the crank sensor) and compares it to that of the target (factory programmed setting)....it then adjusts the idle valve (very quickly) to raise or lower the rpm until the factory value is achieved.

Sounds like a case of a little knowledge.........
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: markfree on 05 December 2008, 21:46:12
Quote
I had a mate use his genuine Tech 2 machine on another mates Vectra to diagnose a problem. We solved the problem (airflow meter) but the tickover was low which he upped using the Tech 2 machine! I didn't realise that you could do that sort of thing with the Tech 2 machines.

I wonder, a;what can you do with one of these machines and b I know they're expensive but how much and how good are the clone equivalents?

A guy on ebay sells them for £2,500 - that's about 10 Omega's. :o

Humpy
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 05 December 2008, 22:39:02
Yeah, expect to pay just shy of £3k for one brand new, or around half that for 2nd hand.  Add around £300-500 for CANdi if required.
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Humpy on 05 December 2008, 22:57:11
Ok guys, thanks for all the replies. I see I've now got Santa hats on my smilies, must be the time of year ;D

Humpy
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: benbrunt on 06 December 2008, 11:12:24
The "My Naff Code Reader" I bought a while back can programme keyfobs, immobiliser and the airbag system and for the sake of the £20 I paid was well worth it from ebay.

The only system it point-blank refuses to work with is the climate control system
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 06 December 2008, 11:14:31
Quote
The "My Naff Code Reader" I bought a while back can programme keyfobs, immobiliser and the airbag system and for the sake of the £20 I paid was well worth it from ebay.

The only system it point-blank refuses to work with is the climate control system
Sounds like the one with the illegal software  :-X
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: ngrainqey on 06 December 2008, 11:16:56
Quote
Yeah, expect to pay just shy of £3k for one brand new, or around half that for 2nd hand.  Add around £300-500 for CANdi if required.

what is CANdi?

also..TB do you mind having a nosey on ebay at cheapo tech2 units for under 100 pounds just to see what you think would be the best one for us that want a cheapo solution to tech2 with most of the vital abilitys?
if you can then thats great, doesnt matter if you cant
thanks anyway :y  the thumbs up doesnt get a hat! haha!
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: benbrunt on 06 December 2008, 11:38:40
Quote
Quote
The "My Naff Code Reader" I bought a while back can programme keyfobs, immobiliser and the airbag system and for the sake of the £20 I paid was well worth it from ebay.

The only system it point-blank refuses to work with is the climate control system
Sounds like the one with the illegal software  :-X
I'm shocked  :o   ;)
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 06 December 2008, 11:49:08
Quote
Quote
Yeah, expect to pay just shy of £3k for one brand new, or around half that for 2nd hand.  Add around £300-500 for CANdi if required.

what is CANdi?

also..TB do you mind having a nosey on ebay at cheapo tech2 units for under 100 pounds just to see what you think would be the best one for us that want a cheapo solution to tech2 with most of the vital abilitys?
if you can then thats great, doesnt matter if you cant
thanks anyway :y  the thumbs up doesnt get a hat! haha!
Newer Vx models - Astra-H, Zafira-B, Veccy-C, Signum - use a different protocol called CAN.

In CAN, the nearest ECU to the device deals with it. For example, the bulb failure is not an ECU in itself - the rear brakelights are dealt with by the tailgate ECU.  There is no central locking ECU - the BCM tells each door ECU to lock/unlock etc.

CANdi is the adapter that allows the Tech2 to join this network of ECUs.


As to diag tools for Vauxhalls under £100:
Generic ODBII for 2.2/2.6/3.2 (will do engine only).
Cheapo Tech2 if you have a laptop with COM port (flakey as hell, simple code reads and resets only).

Beyond that, you're looking at Opelscanner or whatever its called this week, around £400.

Nothing but a real Tech2 will give you anywhere near the functionality of a real Tech2 - £3k new.
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 06 December 2008, 11:54:05
And later Corsa C....which has a mix of CAN and ISO!
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Entwood on 06 December 2008, 12:33:22
For OBDII cars only ..... 2.6 /3.2 ....

For engine/transmission code reading and EML resetting, with a small amount of live data reading, but NO reprogramming at all the Maxscan GS500 is a reasonable piece of kit, it has certainly done all I've wanted to do so far.

I wouldn't trust myself with anything as complex as a Tech2 without a fewe months trianing by TB or MarkDTM !!!  Seems to me in the hands of an idiot ( me and/or stealers) it is either useless or dangerous !!!!

Maxscan GS 500 is around £80 for a GENUINE AutelTech one ... fake copies that don't have all the bits and don't work as well are cheaper on fleabay .. but I had to send it back ... then bought a "real" one .. :)

http://www.ecufix.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&products_id=206&zenid=4lboqgmfar6evi815sv5hv7vn4
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: bikers1 on 06 December 2008, 13:04:38
Quote
As to diag tools for Vauxhalls under £100:
Generic ODBII for 2.2/2.6/3.2 (will do engine only).
Cheapo Tech2 if you have a laptop with COM port (flakey as hell, simple code reads and resets only).

Do any of these eBay thingys read the 2.5 V6 '98 ?

Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: benbrunt on 06 December 2008, 13:18:05
Quote
Quote
As to diag tools for Vauxhalls under £100:
Generic ODBII for 2.2/2.6/3.2 (will do engine only).
Cheapo Tech2 if you have a laptop with COM port (flakey as hell, simple code reads and resets only).

Do any of these eBay thingys read the 2.5 V6 '98 ?


The "My Naff Code Reader" stuff on ebay will go back to 1998, mine is a usb only system and works ok without a com port without the need for adapters etc
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 06 December 2008, 23:56:04
Quote
Quote
As to diag tools for Vauxhalls under £100:
Generic ODBII for 2.2/2.6/3.2 (will do engine only).
Cheapo Tech2 if you have a laptop with COM port (flakey as hell, simple code reads and resets only).

Do any of these eBay thingys read the 2.5 V6 '98 ?

For under £100, cheapo tech2 is your only option - but for engine only, remember the free paperclip test ;)
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 06 December 2008, 23:56:30
Quote
Quote
Quote
As to diag tools for Vauxhalls under £100:
Generic ODBII for 2.2/2.6/3.2 (will do engine only).
Cheapo Tech2 if you have a laptop with COM port (flakey as hell, simple code reads and resets only).

Do any of these eBay thingys read the 2.5 V6 '98 ?


The "My Naff Code Reader" stuff on ebay will go back to 1998, mine is a usb only system and works ok without a com port without the need for adapters etc
But a legal version is £400 ish :(
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: ngrainqey on 06 December 2008, 23:59:53
Quote
Quote
Quote
As to diag tools for Vauxhalls under £100:
Generic ODBII for 2.2/2.6/3.2 (will do engine only).
Cheapo Tech2 if you have a laptop with COM port (flakey as hell, simple code reads and resets only).

Do any of these eBay thingys read the 2.5 V6 '98 ?

For under £100, cheapo tech2 is your only option - but for engine only, remember the free paperclip test ;)

for me tb it's only really the fault code reset that i'm interested in (so i can reset it and see which are current/saved codes
thanks for info
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 07 December 2008, 00:01:20
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
As to diag tools for Vauxhalls under £100:
Generic ODBII for 2.2/2.6/3.2 (will do engine only).
Cheapo Tech2 if you have a laptop with COM port (flakey as hell, simple code reads and resets only).

Do any of these eBay thingys read the 2.5 V6 '98 ?

For under £100, cheapo tech2 is your only option - but for engine only, remember the free paperclip test ;)

for me tb it's only really the fault code reset that i'm interested in (so i can reset it and see which are current/saved codes
thanks for info
cheapo tech2 then, but you need a lappy with real com port, and accept the software is flakey
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: ngrainqey on 07 December 2008, 00:03:58
is the plug and play handheld stuff not ok?
can get one an a 10 pin aldl cable or whatever it is for 50 :(
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 07 December 2008, 00:21:00
Quote
is the plug and play handheld stuff not ok?
can get one an a 10 pin aldl cable or whatever it is for 50 :(
the handheld sub £100 stuff is all obdii, thus as much use as a used condom smeared in dogshit to you.
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: feeutfo on 07 December 2008, 00:38:40
Quote
Quote
is the plug and play handheld stuff not ok?
can get one an a 10 pin aldl cable or whatever it is for 50 :(
the handheld sub £100 stuff is all obdii, thus as much use as a used condom smeared in dogshit to you.

 ;D The Boy is back.   ;)
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Entwood on 07 December 2008, 00:47:06
Quote
Quote
is the plug and play handheld stuff not ok?
can get one an a 10 pin aldl cable or whatever it is for 50 :(
the handheld sub £100 stuff is all obdii, thus as much use as a used condom smeared in dogshit to you.

exquisite explanation ....   :y :y :y :y

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Albatross on 07 December 2008, 08:31:09
So is "a condom smeared in dogshit" much use for my 3.2?

What can I do with one, given I have an OBDII car?

Which model is good?

How much roughly?

Where from?
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 December 2008, 09:00:56
Quote
Quote
Quote
The "My Naff Code Reader" I bought a while back can programme keyfobs, immobiliser and the airbag system and for the sake of the £20 I paid was well worth it from ebay.

The only system it point-blank refuses to work with is the climate control system
Sounds like the one with the illegal software  :-X
I'm shocked  :o   ;)

I feel they get what they deserve in this case...if he group who owned the "My Naff Code Reader" stuff sold it for 100 quid, there sales would be considerably larger and it would not be worth hacking.
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 07 December 2008, 11:06:27
Quote
So is "a condom smeared in dogshit" much use for my 3.2?

What can I do with one, given I have an OBDII car?

Which model is good?

How much roughly?

Where from?
Generally not much more than the pedal trick for cheap handhelds, except you can reset engine codes.

If you have a decent fast laptop, a £25 elm based one from egay, and free software like www.scantool.net will allow limited live data. Can do engine only
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 07 December 2008, 11:08:24
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
The "My Naff Code Reader" I bought a while back can programme keyfobs, immobiliser and the airbag system and for the sake of the £20 I paid was well worth it from ebay.

The only system it point-blank refuses to work with is the climate control system
Sounds like the one with the illegal software  :-X
I'm shocked  :o   ;)

I feel they get what they deserve in this case...if he group who owned the "My Naff Code Reader" stuff sold it for 100 quid, there sales would be considerably larger and it would not be worth hacking.
I agree - if they priced it for the hobbyist it would sell.  Instead, they are pricing towards garages, who are going to want a more generic system, thus tend to use the Snap-Off stuff etc.
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Albatross on 07 December 2008, 11:30:58
Quote
Quote
So is "a condom smeared in dogshit" much use for my 3.2?

What can I do with one, given I have an OBDII car?

Which model is good?

How much roughly?

Where from?
Generally not much more than the pedal trick for cheap handhelds, except you can reset engine codes.

If you have a decent fast laptop, a £25 elm based one from egay, and free software like www.scantool.net will allow limited live data. Can do engine only

Would this require an RS232 port? I don't have one of those on my laptop.
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: feeutfo on 07 December 2008, 11:42:29
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
The "My Naff Code Reader" I bought a while back can programme keyfobs, immobiliser and the airbag system and for the sake of the £20 I paid was well worth it from ebay.

The only system it point-blank refuses to work with is the climate control system
Sounds like the one with the illegal software  :-X
I'm shocked  :o   ;)

I feel they get what they deserve in this case...if he group who owned the "My Naff Code Reader" stuff sold it for 100 quid, there sales would be considerably larger and it would not be worth hacking.
I agree - if they priced it for the hobbyist it would sell.  Instead, they are pricing towards garages, who are going to want a more generic system, thus tend to use the Snap-Off stuff etc.

Had a play with a Snap off system the other day, Mrs gixers polo abs light on. It seemed to have a massive range of cars in its data base. A fair amount of live data too. Still couldnt reset e39 bmw self levelling suspension sensors tho. 2.500 of your English pounds and a 40 a month sub. Ffs!
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 07 December 2008, 12:39:54
Quote
Quote
Quote
So is "a condom smeared in dogshit" much use for my 3.2?

What can I do with one, given I have an OBDII car?

Which model is good?

How much roughly?

Where from?
Generally not much more than the pedal trick for cheap handhelds, except you can reset engine codes.

If you have a decent fast laptop, a £25 elm based one from egay, and free software like www.scantool.net will allow limited live data. Can do engine only

Would this require an RS232 port? I don't have one of those on my laptop.
Get a USB one.  I think internally they use a usb to serial adapter, but you don't have the issues like you do with cheapo tech2.

Not sure if they work under vista, only tried xp
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Albatross on 07 December 2008, 12:55:11
Cheers TB. What do I look for on eGay?

I did a search on eBay UK for elm obd2 and got a lsit of various stuff ranging across: 320, 322 & 323. I get the USB bit, but I'm not sure which of them I'd need.

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=elm+obd2&_sacat=See-All-Categories



Any chance of you posting a link to the right thing? Preferably being sold from in the UK too.
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Entwood on 07 December 2008, 17:27:46
Quote
For OBDII cars only ..... 2.6 /3.2 ....

For engine/transmission code reading and EML resetting, with a small amount of live data reading, but NO reprogramming at all the Maxscan GS500 is a reasonable piece of kit, it has certainly done all I've wanted to do so far.

I wouldn't trust myself with anything as complex as a Tech2 without a fewe months trianing by TB or MarkDTM !!!  Seems to me in the hands of an idiot ( me and/or stealers) it is either useless or dangerous !!!!

Maxscan GS 500 is around £80 for a GENUINE AutelTech one ... fake copies that don't have all the bits and don't work as well are cheaper on fleabay .. but I had to send it back ... then bought a "real" one .. :)

http://www.ecufix.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&products_id=206&zenid=4lboqgmfar6evi815sv5hv7vn4


As I said before .. these work great on the 3.2 .. and don't require a laptop at all ...
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: TheBoy on 08 December 2008, 15:09:45
Quote
Quote
For OBDII cars only ..... 2.6 /3.2 ....

For engine/transmission code reading and EML resetting, with a small amount of live data reading, but NO reprogramming at all the Maxscan GS500 is a reasonable piece of kit, it has certainly done all I've wanted to do so far.

I wouldn't trust myself with anything as complex as a Tech2 without a fewe months trianing by TB or MarkDTM !!!  Seems to me in the hands of an idiot ( me and/or stealers) it is either useless or dangerous !!!!

Maxscan GS 500 is around £80 for a GENUINE AutelTech one ... fake copies that don't have all the bits and don't work as well are cheaper on fleabay .. but I had to send it back ... then bought a "real" one .. :)

http://www.ecufix.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&products_id=206&zenid=4lboqgmfar6evi815sv5hv7vn4


As I said before .. these work great on the 3.2 .. and don't require a laptop at all ...
Can the maxscan do live data?

www.scantool.net can, and there are times that live data is essential.
Title: Re: Tech 2 Equivalent?
Post by: Entwood on 08 December 2008, 19:36:00
Quote
Quote
Quote
For OBDII cars only ..... 2.6 /3.2 ....

For engine/transmission code reading and EML resetting, with a small amount of live data reading, but NO reprogramming at all the Maxscan GS500 is a reasonable piece of kit, it has certainly done all I've wanted to do so far.

I wouldn't trust myself with anything as complex as a Tech2 without a fewe months trianing by TB or MarkDTM !!!  Seems to me in the hands of an idiot ( me and/or stealers) it is either useless or dangerous !!!!

Maxscan GS 500 is around £80 for a GENUINE AutelTech one ... fake copies that don't have all the bits and don't work as well are cheaper on fleabay .. but I had to send it back ... then bought a "real" one .. :)

http://www.ecufix.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&products_id=206&zenid=4lboqgmfar6evi815sv5hv7vn4


As I said before .. these work great on the 3.2 .. and don't require a laptop at all ...
Can the maxscan do live data?

www.scantool.net can, and there are times that live data is essential.

A limited amount yes .... can't remember which PIDS it reads, I'll be able to check on Thursday for you ...

http://www.ecufix.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=206