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[TheBoy]

Markjay loaned me his tech2 lead so I could see how well it works, and compare with my real Tech2.

Well, there never was going to be a comparison - it would be unfair to compare a Ł50 lead and the manufacturer's diagnostic computer costing several thousand quid.

First thing to say is that the hardware looks well built and rugged. As its not mine, I don't want to take apart to check board quality, or what chip its based on (looking at supplied software, I'm guessing a set of optos interfacing to the 4 data lines used by Omega). A small complaint with the hardware is that the plug (which incorporates the interface) is big and bulky, and so you have to unclip the strap on fusebox to give it room to plug in.

Unfortunately, the hardware is the highpoint. The supplied software, whilst the best I've come across for non OBDII Vauxhall's, is very, very poor. I've had a few crashes with it - it is almost as if my 2Ghz P4 laptop isn't always powerful enough.

Much of the screens are Hungarian, as if the English translations haven't been completed.

Engine
I have purposely put some faults on my 1998 MV6 (pre OBDII) to test the lead/software combination, disconnecting sensors. It correctly read the DTCs, but without description (ie just gave the numeric code). It also showed code 31 (you get this if engine not running, but Tech2 clever enough to know this and ignore). However, both attempts to clear the DTCs brought back an 'Invalid response' in the data window. This also caused the software to report additional DTCs (57 and 145) which my real Tech2 couldn't detect.

Automatic Gearbox
It couldn't talk to my autobox ecu at all

Body
I unplugged the driver seat loom (obviously with batt disconnected) to flag up airbag error, then reconnected. Airbag light on, but couldn't get any DTCs to display (real Tech2 could). However, Clear DTCs did turn off airbag light (and confirmed with Tech2 that it did clear code). I don't trust the software enough to do too much airbag checks - it simply doesn't inspire enough confidence (these checks I did, I was outside of car).


I am still testing it, but here are my current conclusions:
Apparently good hardware, rubbish software. Doubtful other low cost software will work with it, as most low cost stuff is based on ELM leads or simple opto leads (this seems to be simple opto lead, but with some kind of switcher in front).

If you have a pre OBDII (but post 1997) Omega, this is currently your only low cost option that I've found (and believe me I've looked an awful lot).

If you have an OBDII car, and want to check engine stuff, www.scantool.net with an ELM lead may be your best option. This cannot do anything but engine though. It is a fairly good bit of kit though, as limited as stated.

If you have an OBDII car and want to do other stuff, this cheapo 'tech2' lead may do the job, but don't expect miracles. It costs around the same as a dealer charges to reset airbag light.

If you have a small garage, you are better off with a professional diagnostic kit.

If you live near Brackley, remember you can get cheap Tech2 work done  


As I continue my testing, I will add to this thread.
Maybe other who have this lead can post that they have attempted, stating car, year, what was attempted, and how successful they were.

[TheBoy]

Here is a list of functions that real Tech2 can interogate on my 1998 3.0l MV6, along with if cheap tech2 lead can communicate with system:

Engine
X30XE Yes

Transmission
AR25/35 No

Chassis
ABS/TC No
Cruise (note 1) No
ServoTronic Yes
Height Control Module No

Body
Immobiliser No
Airbag SAB6 Yes
Instrument No
Addon Heater No (called parking heater in cheap tech2 s/w)
ECC No (start to communicate, then nothing)
Central Door Locking N/A (doesn't exist on my car - part of ATWS)
ATWS Yes
Seat Memory N/A (not installed in my car)
E/Sunroof Yes
Headlamp Levelling No

Infotainment
Triple Info Display No (option not available in cheap tech2 s/w)
Multi Info Display No (option not available in cheap tech2 s/w)
CAR300 No (option not available in cheap tech2 s/w)
CAR400 No (option not available in cheap tech2 s/w)
CDR500 No (option not available in cheap tech2 s/w)
CCR600 No (option not available in cheap tech2 s/w)
CCR800 No (option not available in cheap tech2 s/w)

*Note 1: also tried with a 1997 setting, as cruise unit came off 96 car, and even real Tech2 needs to be set to 97 to communicate with this system.

I was only checking that system could be accessed. I did not have time to put faults on systems, and diagnose.

Even when communication is established, there is little you can do other than read and clear fault codes. There is no ability to see live data, or to actuate systems manually.

However, the lead is only around Ł50 - Ł70 - about the same as a code reader, and it can read more than just engine codes.

However, if you have an OBDII/EOBD car, and want engine only, there are better options. If you are pre OBDII/EOBD, or want to do more than engine,then this lead is your only low cost option.

[fmarques]

The best diag tool i've come across is OpelScanner from http://www.obd-2.de.
It's German but there is an English version.

[Markjay]

I have tested two different programs with my Chepo Tech2 - the main screens are showing below. The one on the top is the program that was provided by the guy who sold me the device, and one at the bottom was obtained elsewhere. It would seem that the program at the bottom is a newer version of the original software - but the original software did work (to some extent) with the Cheapo Tec2, while the supposedly newer version did not work at all with my particular device.

[Markjay]

As mentioned above, the original program only partially worked. My car is a 2001 Y-Reg CDX 2.6, and below are the results received when queries the ECU with the Cheapo Tech2. I understand from others who tried, that on other models of Omega different modules work, so the results below are not necessarily what you will get with your own car. Also, the Hungarian does not help…


Engine – Y26XE:

GM Number: 09173199      Date:            Alpha Code: AA

ECU Sikeresen Inicializálva.
Keyword 2031 protokol
Keyword #1: EF
Keyword #2: 8F

Alvázszám: W0L0VBM6911133166
OPEL alkatrész szám: 09173199 AA
Gyártó alkatrész szám: BOS  01200261206490
Gyártó ECU szoftverszám: 1037360515
ECU Szoftververzió: 0D41
ECU tipusbizonylatszám: B01003
ECU motor típus: Y26SE
RepairShopCodeOrTesterSerialNumber: Nincs programozva
ProgrammingDate: 20010315
CalibrationRepairShopCodeOrCalibrationEquipmentSerialNumber: 2020
CalibrationDate: 21130401
CalibrationEquipmentSoftwareNumber: 0602      
ECUInstallationDate: V-Car 0006
VehicleManufacturerSpecific: 0261206490

Transmission - AR25/35:

(No connection)

Chassis – ABS-5.3/5.4 (+TC):

GM Number: 09156806      Date:            Alpha Code: DZ

ECU Sikeresen Inicializálva.
Keyword 2027 protokol
Keyword #1: 6B
Keyword #2: 8F

OPEL alkatrész szám: 09156806 DZ
CalibrationRepairShopCodeOrCalibrationEquipmentSerialNumber: 0160
ECU motor típus: ASR5.3
ECUInstallationDate: 32
Gyártó alkatrész szám: 0273004230
Gyártó ECU szoftverszám: 028048

Chassis – Cruise Control:

(No connection)

Chassis – Servotronic:

(No connection)

Chassis – Height Control Module:

(No connection)

Body – Imobiliser:

(No connection)

Body - Imobiser-II:

GM Number: 24445098 LS      Date:            Alpha Code:

ECU Sikeresen Inicializálva.
Keyword 2021 protokol
Keyword #1: E5
Keyword #2: 8F

Body – Airbag:

(No connection)

Body – Instrument:

(No connection)

Body - Parking Heater:

(No connection)

Body - Electronic Climate Control:

GM Number: 24449468      Date: 0000      Alpha Code:
(no further data displayed)

Body - Central Door Lock:

(No connection)

Body – Anti Theft Warning:

GM Number: 24426916      Date: 1501      Alpha Code: ES
(no further data displayed)

Body - Seat Memory:

(No connection)

Body – Electronic Sun Roof:

GM Number: 90565382      Date:            Alpha Code: JP
(no further data displayed)

Headlamp Levelling Device:

GM Number: 90565931      Date:            Alpha Code:

ECU Sikeresen Inicializálva.
Keyword 2027 protokol
Keyword #1: 6B
Keyword #2: 8F

Alvázszám: W0L0VBM6911133166
OPEL alkatrész szám: 90565931  
Gyártó alkatrész szám: 2397
systemSupplierECUHardwareVersionNumber: 04
Gyártó ECU szoftverszám: 2197
ECU Szoftververzió: 43
RepairShopCodeOrTesterSerialNumber: Nincs programozva
CalibrationRepairShopCodeOrCalibrationEquipmentSerialNumber: 0002
CalibrationDate: 010425

ECU Sikeresen Inicializálva.
Keyword 2027 protokol
Keyword #1: 6B
Keyword #2: 8F

Alvázszám: W0L0VBM6911133166
OPEL alkatrész szám: 90565931  
Gyártó alkatrész szám: 2397
systemSupplierECUHardwareVersionNumber: 04
Gyártó ECU szoftverszám: 2197
ECU Szoftververzió: 43
RepairShopCodeOrTesterSerialNumber: Nincs programozva
CalibrationRepairShopCodeOrCalibrationEquipmentSerialNumber: 0002
CalibrationDate: 010425

Tárolt hibakódok vannak!

B3413  Nincs jelen
( 0 )  <Ismeretlen DTC>

B0926  Nincs jelen
( 0 )  <Ismeretlen DTC>

B1001  Nincs jelen
( 0 )  <Ismeretlen DTC>

[Markjay]

Is it worth the money? I suppose so, it is an engine code reader for Ł50, so I can’t complain. But it seems to be able to do little more than that.

[JONNYWAKEY]

Guys, I am a little concerned to see that most scantools dont read the AR25/35 gearbox.

I have a codescout which is showing 1 code P0700 Auto transmission malfunction, this is only code present on my 2001 2.2 Automatic.

Was at local Vaux dealer on friday, he couldnt clear EML with tech 2, how do I get the gbox ecu read and the fault diagnosed if Vaux dealer cant sort it?

Please help!

[Taxi_Driver]

Guys, I am a little concerned to see that most scantools dont read the AR25/35 gearbox.

I have a codescout which is showing 1 code P0700 Auto transmission malfunction, this is only code present on my 2001 2.2 Automatic.

Was at local Vaux dealer on friday, he couldnt clear EML with tech 2, how do I get the gbox ecu read and the fault diagnosed if Vaux dealer cant sort it?

Please help!

Some dont....depends on the software really

Presumably if the dealer couldnt reset the code then it must be a 'present' fault.
Did they read the gearbox ecu to see why it was complaining?

First thing they should do is read gearbox ecu and see the reason why.

Do you get any other symptoms like gearbox going into limp mode.

Since i had my cam sensor changed .....ive had the EML on twice.....not when starting but just while driving and then goes off after a few mins......reading the codes i keep getting P1700.....in the program i dont have it says do you get P0700 as well so i click on no......diagnosis is change the g/b ecu.....so as it recently had a new one and its at latest firmware version.....im ignoring it.

P0700 on its own says read the gearbox codes tho.

My cheapo lead carnt read the g/b ecu anymore....since the ecu was changed....so its a bit hit miss really......tho my local garage code reader can

Im am looking at get a hardware device with an EML327 chipset in it then see what i can read with various software

Sorry carnt help more  

[iggy21uk]

I've got an ELM327 does not work with a 99 2.5 V6. tried lots of sotware packages.  

[TheBoy]

I've got an ELM327 does not work with a 99 2.5 V6. tried lots of sotware packages.  

ELM327 I believe is CAN only, hence for Veccy-C and Astra-H only...   ...also, ELM chips arew oBDII only, hence will not work on non DBW engines.

[iggy21uk]

If you use Vauxcheck software with the ELM327 it will do most Vauxalls from 97 except the X25XE engine.
I think they may add it ?? I think the 2.5 V6 has the motronic 2.8.3 ECU I'm  told this uses KW82 [Keyword] protocol which is an older protocol.  


Use Enginecheck with the ELM327 for other cars

[TheBoy]

If you use Vauxcheck software with the ELM327 it will do most Vauxalls from 97 except the X25XE engine.
I think they may add it ?? I think the 2.5 V6 has the motronic 2.8.3 ECU I'm  told this uses KW82 [Keyword] protocol which is an older protocol.  


Use Enginecheck with the ELM327 for other cars

ah, so 327 is the all protocol chip then, not just CAN

[TheBoy]

If you use Vauxcheck software with the ELM327 it will do most Vauxalls from 97 except the X25XE engine.
I think they may add it ?? I think the 2.5 V6 has the motronic 2.8.3 ECU I'm  told this uses KW82 [Keyword] protocol which is an older protocol.  


Use Enginecheck with the ELM327 for other cars

Has someone confirmed this - when i checked, elm chips could only do obdii....

[Marks DTM Calib]

ELM chips simply interface to the logic standard (ISO/CAN/VPW etc), the codes you send via them could be anything....totaly down to the software.

[iggy21uk]

Think we have been down this road before

http://www.enginecheck.co.uk/vauxcheck/vauxcheck.php

VauxCheck Coverage

To use the VauxCheck package, you'll need an ELM327 interface - these are available with the software from us.

Please also check that the car is listed in the following table, and that it has pin 7 present in the diagnostic socket on the car. The socket layout is shown here:



Year Model Engine codes
1997
 Astra-F X14XE, X16SZR, X16XEL, C18SEL, X18XE, X20XEV
  Calibra X20XEV
  Corsa-B X10XE, X14SZ, X14XE, X16XE
  Omega-B X20XEV
  Sintra X30XE
  Tigra X30XE, X14XE, X16XE
  Vectra-B X16SZR, X16XEL, X18XE, C20SEL, X20DTL, X20XEV, X25XE
1998 Astra-F X14XE, X16SZR, X16XEL, C18SEL, X18XE, X20XEV
  Astra-G
 X12XE, X14XE, X16SZR, X16XEL, X17DTL, X18XE1, X20DTL, X20XEV
  Corsa-B X10XE, X12XE, C14SEL, X14SZ, X14XE, C16SEL, X16XE
  Omega-B X20DTH, X20XEV
  Sintra X22DTH, X30XE
  Tigra C14SEL, X14XE, C16SEL, X16XE
  Vectra-B X16SZR, X16XEL, X18XE, X18XE1, C20SEL, X20DTL, X20DTH, X20XEV, C22SEL, X25XE
1999 Astra-F X16SZR, X16XEL, C18SEL
  Astra-G X12XE, X14XE, C16SEL, X16SZR, X16XEL, X17DTL, X18XE1, X20DTL, X20XEV
  Corsa-B X10XE, X12XE, C14SEL, X14SZ, X14XE, C16SEL, X16XE
  Frontera-B X22DTH
  Omega-B X20DTH, X20XEV
  Sintra X22DTH, X20XEV
  Tigra C14SEL, X14XE, C16SEL, X16XE
  Vectra-B X16SZR, X16XEL, X18XE, X18XE1, C20SEL, X20DTL, X20DTH, X20XEV, C22SEL, X25XE
  Zafira X16XEL, X18XE1
2000 Agila Z10XE, Z12XE
  Astra-F X16XSR, X16XEL
  Astra-G X12XE, X14XE, C16SEL, X16SZR, X16XEL, X17DTL, Y17DT, X18XE1, X20DTL, X20XEV, X20XER, Y20DTH, Z22SE
  Corsa-B X10XE, X12XE, C14SEL, X14SZ, X14XE, C16SEL, X16XE
  Omega-B X20DTH, X20XEV, Y22XE
  Tigra C14SEL, X14XE, C16SEL, X16XE
  Vectra-B X16SZR, X16XEL, Y16XE, X18XE, X18XE1, C20SEL, X20DTL, X20DTH, X20XEV, C22SEL, X25XE
  Zafira X16XEL, X18XE1, X20DTL
2001 Agila Z10XE, Z12XE
  Astra-F X16SZR, X16XEL
  Astra-G Z12XE, Z14XE, C16SEL, X16SZR, Z16SE, Z16XE, Y17DT, X18XE1, Z18XE, Z18XEL, Y20DTL, Y20DTH, Z20LET, Z22SE
  Corsa-B X14SZ
  Corsa-C Z10XE, Z12XE, Z14XE, Y17DTL, Y17DT, Z18XE
  Frontera-B Y22DTH
  Movano G9T720 (2.2l)
  Omega-B X20XEV, Y22DTH, Z22XE, Y26SE, Y32SE
  Vectra-B X16XEL, Y16XE, Z16XE, X18XE, Z18XE, Z18XEL, C20SEL, X20XEV, Y20DTH, C22SEL, Y22DTR, Z22SE, Y26SE
 
  Vivaro F9Q760/762 (1.9l)
  VX220 Speedster Z22SE
  Zafira Z16XE, Z16YNG, Z18XE, Y20DTH, Z22SE
2002 Agila Z10XE, Z12XE
  Astra-F X16SZR, X16XEL
  Astra-G Z12XE, Z14XE, C16SEL, Z16SE, Z16XE, Y17DT, Z18XE, Z18XEL, Y20DTL, Y20DTH, Z20LET, Z22SE
  Corsa-B X14SZ
  Corsa-C Z10XE, Z12XE, Z14XE, Z16SE, Y17DTL, Y17DT, Z18XE
  Frontera-B Y22DTH
  Movano F9Q 772 (1.9l), G9T 720 (2.2l), G9T 722 (2.2l), G9U 720 (2.5l)
  Omega-B Y22DTH, Z22XE, Y26SE, Y32SE
  Vivaro F9Q 760/762 (1.9l)
  VX220 Speedster Z20LET, Z22SE
  Zafira Z16XE, Z16YNG, Z18XE, Y20DTH, Z20LET, Y22DTR, Z22SE
2003 Agila Z10XE, Z12XE
  Astra-G Z12XE, Z14XE, C16SEL, Z16SE, Z16XE, Z16XEP, Z16YNG, Y17DT, Z17DTL, Z18XE, Z18XEL, Y20DTH, Z20LET, Y22DTR, Z22SE
  Corsa-B X14SZ
  Corsa-C Z10XE, Z12XE, Z14XE, Z16SE, Y17DTL, Y17DT, Z18XE
  Frontera-B Y22DTH
  Meriva Z16SE, Z16XE, Z18XE
  Movano F9Q 772 (1.9l), G9T 720 (2.2l), G9T 722 (2.2l), G9U 720 (2.5l), G9U 724 (2.5l)
  Omega-B Y22DTH, Z22XE, Y26SE, Y32SE
  Vivaro F9Q 760/762 (1.9l), F4R 720 (2.0l), G9U 730 (2.5l)
  VX220 Speedster Z20LET, Z22SE
  Zafira Z16XE, Z16YNG, Z18XE, Y20DTH, Z20LET, Y22DTR, Z22SE