GM Diagnostic & Programming: Tech 2 vs MDI vs Snap On Solus

This is software and equipment to get on with GM cars (2003 Monte Carlo SS, and a 2009 Cadillac STS) for diagnostics and programming.
In order to perform "advanced functions" on GM Vehicles you are going to need something that talks with all the computers on the GM Vehicle.
The ones that I know of that do this are:
1) GM Tech 2 (will handle everything including programming the computers "updating calibrations") This tool is being phased out but it's still supported until they can get the MDI fully operational. Either way this works Stand Alone without a Laptop/PC.
2) GM MDI (Some say there are limitations with some model years but others say it's better since the updates) Of course using Tech2Win to mimic what the GM Tech 2 does) - This performs like a J2534 Programmer as a Pass Thru Device. DrewTech and companies like Ease Diagnostics make J2534 Pass Thru Devices that will do this as well. And they sell their own flavor of Diagnostics Scan Software. Keep in mind only the GM stuff will do EVERYTHING for GM Vehicles.
3) Snap On Solus (This will do a lot not only on GM Vehicles but others as well. And it can do some of the advanced functions like Automated Brake Bleed on the ABS unit just like the GM Tech 2 and GM MDI) - Keep in mind there are many functions that the Snap On won't do. The Tech 2 and MDI will allows you the option to access and control everything on GM Vehicles.
There are others but I haven't seen them nor tested them.
I started out with the Ease Diagnostics J2534 Programmer with the Programming Assistant software and Scan Diagnostics Software.
However I found for programming these devices work great and they are also a good scan tool. However when I needed to Bleed the ABS Pumps on both a Silverado Duramax Dually and a Tahoe I could actuate the Solenoids and the Motor but never was able to activate the GM Automated Brake Bleeding Procedure. You can search this on YouTube to see how it works.
Ultimately I ended up acquiring a GM Tech 2 to go along with my Ease Diagnostics setup.
If you purchase Scanners that are less featured and don't support Bi-Directional diagnostics you probably will only be able to communicate with the ECU only. In some cases mid-level scanners have access to the ABS system and sometimes also the SRS system (airbag) but won't allow you to talk with the computers like the BCM (Body Control Module).
Depending on your GM Vehicle it can have as little as 3 computers and up (my wife's Escalade has 8 computers).
Also you have to keep in mind that some of the Newer Vehicles us CAN Communication. In the case of the Tech 2 you have to also have a GM CanDi Module in order to talk withe CAN Bus cars.
I don't believe the GM Vehicles you mentioned have the CAN Bus but you can look that up.
If you decide to go with the Tech 2 it can get confusing especially if you are wanting one that isn't a Chinese Clone.
The Tech 2 has been manufactured by Hewlett-Packard, Vetronix and Bosch/OTC. Regardless of which one you get they should do the job the same.
If you want official updates from GM to update the Tech 2 it will cost you a minimum of $775 per year to update. The good news is the final update for the Tech 2 has already released. If you get a scanner with this version you will never need to update it again.
AcDelco allows you access to the Firmware "Calibrations" for the computers for $55 for unlimited 2 to 3 days access. So regardless of which device that supports programming you get that's what it will cost if you need to program the computers with the latest calibrations.
Ps. If you are looking for tool that is working well only, you can get a decent one from China, much more cheaper than the dealer. There are many good China clone, esp. Tech 2 scan tools

Original: GM Diagnostic & Programming: Tech 2 vs MDI vs Snap On Solus

Corvette ZR1 Navigation Unlock with TECH 2: Done!

Here are tips and guides of navigation unlock with a TECH 2 scan tool
Car: I have a 2011 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 that came with OnStar and Xm radio.
Purpose: I would like to swap the radio for a Navigation unit but remain with the stock Denso style corvette navigation unit.
Reason for navigation unit unlock: I purchased a Denso unit that came from a 2008 ZO6 and it worked when I fist plugged it in but after unplugging it the "Theft Lock" appeared on the screen.
I tried looking on ebay for unlock services and checked with a couple Chevy dealers but have not found anyone that says they can unlock it.
How to unlock a navigation unit using Tech 2:
You need an Tech 2 test instrument to unlock it.
The Tech 2 programs the navigation to the VIN number of your car.
The nearest Chevy dealer in my area should charge me an insane price to unlock it so I bought an Tech 2 myself. I don’t think they knew how to do it so gave me an insane price so I should not come to them, they had the Tech 2 instrument.
It was done in about 3 minutes, because I never used the instrument before.

The GM" >GM radios are VIN" >VIN specific, so the unlock process involves clearing the old VIN # from the nav unit, and allowing it to accept your VIN#. As I said, this can be done by anyone who has access to a TECH II. All GM dealers should have them, and if they tell you they can't unlock the radio, they are not telling you the truth. I went to my local Chevrolet dealer when I installed the nav unit in my 08 base. It's about a 5 minute job, but they charged me a 1 hour minimum labor $130.
I copied the how to shown below from a fellow forum member.
Here is how to use the TECH II to put the Nav unit into relearn mode:
Connect TECH II to car and put the car into acc. mode
At the main screen, select diagnostics
At systems selection menu screen, select body
At the VIN indent screen select
Appropriate model
Appropriate air conditioning
Nav radio
At the body screen, select Nav radio
At the radio screen, select special functions
At the special functions screen, select VIN relearn
At the VIN relearn screen, the scan tool will display, "do you want to clear the radio theft
information?"
To begin clearing, press the soft touch key on the top right of the scan tool. The TECH II will display "clearing theft in progress"
Once done, press exit on the TECH II and cycle the ignition
It's done and the Nav unit will now marry to your car.
The last, Technically there is no "jailbreak" for for OEM" >OEM Navigation radios" >radios for Corvettes.
Once a GM radio is initialized for the first time it learns the VIN" >VIN# from the vehicle and writes it to a flash within the radio. From that point on any time the radio is powered on the VIN" >VIN stored in the flash is compared with the current car VIN" >VIN # and if they don't match it throws up a TheftLock message (and/or lights" >lights a red LED" >LED depending on the radio).
All the technician is doing with the Tech2 is clearing the stored VIN# flash in the radio which causes the radio to relearn the new VIN # on next power-up.
My local GM service" >service dept. gave me the same speech when I asked about having TheftLock reset on a used OEM" >OEM radio(no guarantees resetting a used OEM" >OEM radio and no refund if they couldn't reset it) which is why I purchased a clone Tech2 to clear it myself (as well as be able to reprogram fobs on my other GM vehicles) and never looked back. I have now done several resets and BCM configuration changes for several local Corvette" >Corvette owners free of charge (ok, sometimes I accepted cold beer) and will continue to do so for anyone who asks.
That being said I posted detailed screenshots of how you reset the TheftLock on a Navigation radio here to make it easier for other members to do their own resets.

 original:Corvette ZR1 Navigation Unlock with TECH 2: Done!