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[Merlin]

Hi all, you may remember my posts about a possilble sensor problem? Well Ive bought a Tech2 scanner that arrives tomorrow so hopefully I should determine the cause and repair it. Just wanted you all to know that Im in the Rotherham area, so anyone around here (+ Sheffield/ Doncaster / Barnsley) that needs help with their Vauxhall fault codes should get in touch. - and no, I dont intend charging for it!!! Meega owners (and those little Vectras etc) stick together eh??? Cheers for all the help guys.

[Martin_1962]

Is this a real Tech 2?

[Merlin]

Hi Martin. Well it had better be cos thats what it is advertised as. Got it off ebay. Its the pc laptop cable, Tech2 interface and associated software. Was posted this morning by recorded delivery. If Ive got this wrong then I apologise, but if it does the job - then thats fine by me. If you go onto ebay and just type "Tech2" it will come up. The interface is blue in colour.

[philayl]

I believe the real Tech 2's are about £3,000, a lot of money to invest, TheBoy will know more on this.  

[Merlin]

Oops got it wrong then! Just hope this thing gets me into the ECU. Anyone any views on this? Any possible pitfalls? Glitches etc? All help appreciated!!

[Ken T]

I got a similar one recently. They seem to work OK, the only thing is getting the software to do useful things with it. For example, viewing the stored DTC's ( trouble codes) is only one of about 9 different modes you can use!. You can obtain real time info from sensors, so your laptop could give you graphs of revs, speed, temp etc while you were driving!. Trouble it seems is knowing how to interrogate the ECU for the data. It is interesting, and I intend to try what programs I can get to find out what is happening. It would make troubleshooting very easy if you could ask the right questions, and would have saved me a fortune recently!.

[Merlin]

Cheers for that KenT. Shouldnt be too hard. I work with software in the gas industry and have been thrown on all bloody kinds of courses over the last 2 years, but out of it has come some interesting stuff - like how to rewrite software, and in particular, how to access bios chips ( in emergencies). The ECU cannot function without one so once Ive got familiar with the ECU, Im going to have a look at what vauxhall (or whoever) have put in there. Might be useful stuff for the guys on this site for the future! Anything I post will, of course, be tried and tested beforehand!!

[Ken T]

My scanner uses the ELM327 chip, which along with the ELM322 is used in most of the Ebay scanners for the Vauxhall standard (VPW). There is a fair amount of PD software available, I am currently using Scantool.net and wOBD. Scantool gives you the DTC's and allows you to reset them, and some engine data. wOBD does most of this but also allows you to scan the ECU and also throw Hex at it, although what you do with the answer is anybodys guess! . There is another scanner available which looks very good, the software (some versions) appears to be able to get into the ECU and reprogram keys, so they must know how to make sense of the ecu data. Unfortunately it is based on a custom programmed Atmel chip, so wouldn't work with ELM based stuff. www.opel-scan.com/index.html . They actually allow you to download the software from their page, shame it couldn't be tweaked to suit ELM chips.
Cheers Ken

[BigCat]

Has anyone actually bought the Opel-Scan product? they're based in Russia, and only accept payment by Western Union, sounds a bit dodgy to me.

[TheBoy]

You have the cheapo tech2 lead.  It will read codes most of the time, but the software is buggy. It also needs a pc with a real COM1 port (not a USB based COM adpater).  I doubt there will be further development of the software that will work with that interface....

Most definately not a real Tech2 scanner, there are hugely expensive....   ....though mine is for sale, but we are talking a 4 digit price


Iggy21 has a Opelscan.  Sounds good, though further development needed (and expected) from what I've heard. One to keep an eye on.

[Merlin]

uys, lots of useful info there. And yes, the bloody lead wouldnt fit the laptop ( why didnt you get a proper laptop darling!!!!!!!!!!!). Had to drag the pc from the conservatory. Sodding disc wouldnt load so had to download onto this pc and go that way. Then the prog I downloaded wont speak English, only Hungarian(?). Anyway configured it and got............. P1590. P1335 and P0725. Reset ecu twice and got the same codes come up. Going to have a look for code meanings now but feel free to offer any advice, it will be greatly appreciated!!! Cheers guys.

[star_whites]

Hay Merlin, since your from Rotherham I can recommend a very good electrician. Ive just had loads of problems with my 1998 2.0 auto and he sorted it within a day. Ok it cost me £150 but believe me it was worth it after all the time ive spent on it over the last few weeks. Oh and I also have a brand new cam sensor for the newer models, possibly the same as yours!!

[Merlin]

Hi star whites. Be glad of info for a good electrician. Just read the error codes on my Omega (2.2 CD Dti) and currently trying to find a page that lists them for my model (no luck yet). Cant stand her being ill....................

[star_whites]

I know what you mean, mine has MOT tom afternoon then hopefully back on the road, been over a month now and its like losing a limb lol

Will drop you a message with electricians details.

[Merlin]

Cheers mate - where are you anyway. Im in Wath