[oldeerslayer]

I guess someone has to start off this scan tools section so I'll give some of my experience. ELM327 is the basis for a lot of low priced scan tool adapters that work with Smart?phones. Problem I found with them is getting a genuine Elm 327 chip. The real ones are around $100. Clones may or may not work. I had good luck with BAFX Bluetooth adapters for OBD2 from Amazon, as much as I hate recommending Cloneazon. I seem to recall they were around $25 and work well. Doing most thing a $100 scanner can. You'll need to download an App from Google store or what ever. BAFX has just released an iphone version. Torque Pro or Car Gauge Pro are around $8-9 and work well, although both are getting long in the tooth and not really supported. you want the PRO versions. I use it often to do simple things like read or clear codes.
If you have OBD1 or god forbid a 95 S10 a Tech 2 is your best bet. It also does OBD2 as well. The clones are around $300 and are manufactured to the best of my knowledge in the same factory that made them for Bosch who bought the rights from Vetronix who bought the rights from HP. Vetronix made them here. Bosch went to China where they're still made today.
The Big advantage a Tech 2 has is that it is a bi-directional scanner and can do all the necessary testing asked for in the GM FSM's. Plus anything a 1 direction scanner can do. They come with a DVD called TIS 2000 which has most GM factory tunes on them. You can change gear and tire sizes only to what GM offered. Got to get a Tuning device for other combos, but that's in another section of the forum.
To be able to use the TIS 2000 disc I bought an old Dell E6400 off eBay and loaded it with both Windows 7 and Windows XP. The Tech 2 needs XP. Remember they were designed before Windows even had a mouse or GUI (Windows95). You'll need the only GM approved serial to USB adapter to connect to the Tech2,

Keyspan RS232 to USB-A Adapter, DB9, 3-ft Cable | Eaton

Connect a DB9 RS-232 serial device to a computer or laptop with a USB-A port. High-speed data transfer and unbeatable compatibility. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

tripplite.eaton.com

https://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5806221

A few others have been found to work, but it's hit and miss.
Programming modules will require a subscription to AC Delco TDS Service Programming System (SPS2)
2 years for one vin is $45
If you'd like more info on the Tech 2 go to:

The official Tech 2 clone thread

Well, as most of you probably already know, I wouldn't say I liked wondering if these china tech 2's worked. So after a couple of weeks of searching the internet, I finally picked one I would try. I searched all over eBay and Aliexpress. eBay was way too expensive for their clones. The cheapest...

www.saabcentral.com

3774 posts on 189 pages. It's been running for 10 years. Bare in mind they are talking Saabs. You'll need to order one with a GM card.
This link will get you a 154 page PDF with Tech 2 pathing to find every possible function:

https://tech2wiki.com/content/tech2/tech2_using/tech2_shortcuts/gm_tech2_paths.pdf

The home page is:

TECH2WIKI.COM · tech2wiki.com

Why a Tech2 Wiki? We believe in the freedom of information and open and equal access to information for everyone. Working with the Tech2 device req...

tech2wiki.com

Not saying there aren't other choices. But this is what has worked for me. I have also added an HP Tuners mpvi2 to my arsenal. Too bad I don't know what I'm doing with it yet.

 

[hit_4_show]

Pine Hollow Diagnostics (YouTube) recently released a video on a Saab ECM Replacement using Tech2Win. Have you used Tech2Win at all? He already had an interface, though. Not certain what interface options are available, or their costs.

 

[oldeerslayer]

Tech2win is Tech 2 emulator software and needs a 32 bit OS or can be run in compatibility mode. Seems it is kind of hit and miss what it'll run well on. I would image most geeks can get it to work on their laptops, but that stuff is over my head. One review I read talked about a couple days getting it to work and it won't do all programming an actual Tech 2 can do.

One point I didn't make clear in my initial post is that quite a few of the newest scanners are very CAN bus oriented and don't work real well on the these older trucks using Class 2 serial data. Read a number of reviews where folks couldn't get the newer scanners to work on vehicles built prior to 2003. By 2008 CAN bus was required on new vehicles so scanners from then on concentrated on that system of network communication. I'm very unsure on a lot of this stuff because I retired in 2000. Maybe a member with serious computer knowledge can explain it better. 😕

 

[hit_4_show]

Ivan (Pine Hollow) also had a number of issues to resolve before he was able to use Tech2Win.

I did not realize the newer scan tools performed poorly with our trucks. All I use now, and have ever used, is a BAFX Bluetooth adapter + Torque/Torque Pro. Thank you for all the information.

 

[oldeerslayer]

Thanks for your reply. It is good to know what's involved in all the alternatives. I think the thing to remember is these trucks are 25 to 40+ years old and technology continues to move forward and evolve. Not many guys doing engine swaps have ventured much past 2004 in their engine and transmission choices yet. Because the newer more integrated computer systems with all their separate but connected modules make it just too difficult and/or expensive. It can be done, but being a trailblazer has it's drawbacks.
We need to do just what you did. Find something that works with this era vehicles and stick with it.

 

[hit_4_show]

Regarding use of a Tech2 scanner, is a PC and adapter only required to program an ECM or BCM? I do not have a laptop. Trying to determine cheapest method of obtaining reliable, bi-directional scanner capability for S-vehicles.

 

[oldeerslayer]

You understand it correctly. To program a ECM/PCM/VCM you need the laptop to put the TIS2000 DVD into and then use the Tech2 to pass the programming thru to the vehicles computer. When you start doing modules, including the BCM, you have to get that data from ACDelco TDS via the internet.
The Tech 2 by itself is a fully functional bi-directional scanner. Designed for these trucks along with most all GM vehicles from mid 80's thru 2010. It only needs the Laptop for programming.
If you ever find you need that capability I'd recommend the E4600 Dell series of laptops. They were the top of the line road warrior laptop in their day and the last Dells to be able to run Windows XP, which is the Tech2's preferred OS. Since they are getting older now they aren't terribly expensive. Should be able to get one for around $100 if you watch eBay.
But a laptop is not necessary for any functions as a scanner.

 

[Harley]

I'll add a couple things in here as I recently used my Clone to reprogram modules on my 03 Silverado.

I had an XP laptop for a long time for using with this, but I was using the online interface through AC Delco and it wasn't working great for me on the older OS. Fortunately it works pretty well with Windows 10/11 as they've continued to update while maintaining Tech2 compatibility.

I was able to successfully program with my Win11 laptop and Tech2 Clone after a helpful call to the ACDelco TDS help line. They're super helpful without much waiting on the line and walked me through the process with Win11.

For programming there is a Tech2 method that doesn't require a computer next to the car - like if you didn't have a laptop. The Tech2 can store the vehicle info and after hooking up to a computer will download the correct module programs. Once hooked backup to the vehicle it will make the updates.

I took some screen capture videos when I did this latest round of updates and will someday convert it to a helpful youtube video. There aren't any current videos on the system out there, unfortunately.