Corvette diagnosis: Tech2 clone, GM MDI clone, VX GM Nano

Do a quick write up of the three (Tech2 clone, GM MDI clone, VX GM Nano) on which device to buy.

Go ahead one by one:

1st. GM Tech2 clone: diagnosis + programming ok
Tech II clone will do what the real Tech II will do. Hence diagnostics through the tool, and be used for programming with either TIS2000 or AC Delco TDS with the tool set in pass through mode.

The downside of the clone tools is the knock off DC to DC converter, which tends to burn itself out in a short time. You can replace the converter board on the tool, and the converter itself is not that expensive.

2nd. MDI clone: wants you to have a working account

Next is MDI clone (blue box, and looks like the GM MDI). The MDI clone is a copy of the GM MDI 1, not the MDI 2 that’s transfers data at a much faster rate. On the MDI 1 clones, they all have the serial number, and again, work just like the GM MDI. The downside to the clone MDI, is that it really wants you to have a working account, since it does not have legacy drivers to step it back to work with say most of the cracked software like the Nano. So when using the MDI clone, you will be using real GM Software from the most part/limitations of the GM software without a working account.

3rd. VX GM Nano: has the legacy type drives
Now on the VX GM Nano. Although it’s really just a MDI clone to start with, it does have the legacy type drives that allows it to run the cracked software that you would use with a Tech II. Hence the device will come with a cracked version of Tech2win that adds the needed tweaks To GM MDI that will allow you to use it with the cracked Tech2 , cracked VM TIS2000 that you will build a pass through driver, and then also works for VM GDS2, and AC Delco TDS (using it’s own VX drivers, and not the Bosch MDI/Tech II drivers that TDS will be offered that you do not want to install with the Nano device).

So for Corvette C6, the MDI clone will be the least desirable device the buy (blue box MDI clone that looks like the real GM MDI).

Tech II clone VS VX GM Nano
1). Tech II clone: pros and cons

The Tech II clone is not bad, and I use it sometimes when I have limited space in the car for fast work, The downside right away, it does not work with the newer GDS2 software, so limits it use for cars older than 2013. Also, keep in mind that the Dc to DC converter is going to go south at some point, so plan on buying the better converter chip and replacing it at some point.

2). VX GM Nano: covers vehicles to the current year

The VX GM Nano on the other hand, you do have to use the software for it on a laptop, but that’s not a bad thing for us older guys that wear cheater glasses to begin with. Now the real pro here, it works with Tech2win, Tis2000, GDS2 and acdelco TDS for all the vehicles up to the current year. Plus, when you are running VM GDS2 with the shell having internet access for DTC’s, will bring up a internet page of better descriptions of the problem to help you trouble shoot the problem even faster.

Hell, take it one step farther, A multi manufacturer platform VX plus can be bought that works with three different types of manufacturers. So if you have a GM, the wife has a Ford, and the kid has a Toyota, there is the multi platform nano’s that will work with all three cars, and comes with the needed software as well.

https://www.chinaobd2.com/wholesale/allscanner-vxdiag-a3-support-bmw-land-rover-jaguar-and-vw.html

or VXDIAG Multi Diagnostic Tool for Full Brands if you have a workshop:

https://www.chinaobd2.com/wholesale/vxdiag-multi-diagnostic-tool-for-full-brands.html (Covers HONDA/GM/VW/FORD/MAZDA/TOYOTA/PIWIS/Subaru/VOLVO/ BMW/BENZ etc)

Question: Is the VX GM Nano able to modify body control module functions like tire pressure sensors; edit radio functions; etc?

Is this a worthy example:

https://www.chinaobd2.com/wholesale/vxdiag-vcx-nano-for-gm-opel-gds2-wifi-version.html

Answer:

The Nano running Tech2win and the Tech II can work within the firmware settings, but not modify the firmware itself in a fashion that is against the firmware functions.
With the use of either TIS2000, or TDS, you can reflash the stock firmware back in, but that is about it.
Hence let’s say that we are trying to turn off the TPMS system, and it not something that can be done with either a Nano running tech2win or a tech II. To pull this one off, we would need to mod the firmware file itself, then flash that in with Tis2000.
Will note, when you are firmware flashing with Tis2000 or TDS, you have one of two options. In normal mode, your given a list of firmware file for that vin number that you can select the needed one.
In cases like the upgrade F55 option file that GM sells for the C7, instead of that file being in the normal list, you select the special file option, and will input the special file number that was written for your vin to flash it in instead.
As for the special firmware file you modded to say shut the TPMS system off, it a little more completed since we need to tie that file into your vin in TIS2000 so it will show up in the list to flash instead.

Simply, it not going to allow you modify the firmware in a fashion that HP tuner or EFI live will in regards to the ECM engine tuning.

Question: What do you think of the Autel MaxiCheck Pro?

Answer: The autel has a lot of functions that Tech2win/Tech II has, but not sure it will allow you go the same level at either a Tech II or nano running Tech2win will at the GM level.

Lets say that we are tired of having the DRO’s running during the day time, and don’t want them to come on during the day time instead.
With nano running Tech2win or tech II, we go into BCM programming, change the country use to Mexico (works fine for cars in the usa), and this will bring up the T62 RPO option that will not be listed in the USA RPO option list, and which allows us to turn off the DRL from coming on.

Enjoy.

Thanks to @Dano523 (www.corvetteforum.com/forums/)