OBD Suggestions General Motors Diagnostic

aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 10:55
Last edited 23/09/2024 - 13:09 by 1 other user

Hi all, I'm looking around for a good way to diagnose our cars, and preferably have the possibility to do bidirectional communication (e.g. injector coding, DPF stuff).

It'd be ace if people could provide insights and recommendations on what they currently use. I've got an ELM27 USB OBD2 from OBD2 Australia with Torque Pro app, but I have very limited insight into almost all PIDs with our cars (Holden Barina Spark, Holden Craptiva). Other cars I can read out balance rates, DPF status, but for some reason Torque Pro and my OBD reader present hardly any info on our (shit) cars.

Are you using Bluetooth OBD dongle and an app on your tablet/phone? Do you use a specific diagnostic reader (e.g., Launch, Autel)?

I'm happy to spend some money getting something good that can check or work with different brand cars, but I mostly find stuff over 600 bucks.

Thanks Bargainers!

Poll Options

  • 2
    Autel (see comment for type)
  • 1
    Launch (see comment for type)
  • 4
    OBD Bluetooth dongle + app (see comment for type)
  • 9
    Go to a mechanic, loser (see comment for further abuse)
Automotive OBD-II Scanner

Comments

  • MS Paint on 23/09/2024 - 11:04
    +1

    I think you may need a scan tool with ALDL capabilities but I'm not 100% sure on that.

    Edit: scratch that idea. It's for earlier Holdens.

    If you want bidirectional then be prepared to spend big.

    • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 12:02

      Thanks! Yeah I saw the price go up for bidirectional.

  • brendanm on 23/09/2024 - 11:17
    +2

    I'm happy to spend some money getting something good that can check or work with different brand cars, but I mostly find stuff over 600 bucks.

    So you aren't happy to spend money?

    You could try the topdon/topscan, I haven't used it but apparently it's decent.

    I would highly recommend selling the Barina and the Captiva and never buying a holden Daewoo product again.

    • Bignudge on 23/09/2024 - 11:38
      +1

      Agreed. My parents had a 2009 Honda Barina and it was worst thing ever. It got to like 90,000KM and we got rid of it. I don't think it had ABS at all… and the thing would rev up to like 2500 RPM on its own everytime it was in neutral.

      • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 12:06

        That's rough, heard pretty bad things. Guess we've gotten lucky with ours. Just keen to do my own work on em given their age while we save up for a new one. Parts are relatively cheap and I've got a left and right hand, so she'll be right

      • blitz on 23/09/2024 - 12:52

        rev up to like 2500 RPM on its own everytime it was in neutral

        Mass airflow sensor?

        • MS Paint on 23/09/2024 - 14:24
          +1

          Faulty launch control by the sounds of it.

    • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 12:01

      We've hit the silicon lottery with them. Both 200k plus kilometers and been with us over 8 years. Biggest repair has been clutch on Barina and an injector (which I pulled out of a scrap car) on the Captiva.

      • brendanm on 23/09/2024 - 17:00

        You followed my advice then 😉

        • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 17:12

          Yeah I did! Thanks for that. I did order a Korean refurb kit to see what it looked like, but the quality was HORRIBLE. Burs and shit everywhere. Immediately refunded

          • brendanm on 23/09/2024 - 17:39
            +1

            @aussiecageman: Good stuff. Look into the topdon topscan about $130 or so on Amazon, bi directional.

            • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 17:53

              @brendanm: "Currently, the TopScan is compatible with Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Fiat 2010-2014 (Compatibility expands as updates release)". I will chuck them an email, see what they say about GM.

              • brendanm on 23/09/2024 - 17:56
                +1

                @aussiecageman: I think you read the wrong bit?

                supports 70+ different vehicle makes across American, Asian, and European vehicles.

                • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 18:02

                  @brendanm: A shit, my bad! Cheers

                  • brendanm on 23/09/2024 - 18:33

                    @aussiecageman: Have a look on the application guide. I had a quick look, and looks like the topscan pro will code injectors for a Chevrolet Captiva.

                    • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 19:26
                      +1

                      @brendanm: You're correct! I trawled a bit through their vehicle compatibility list. Loads on their! I'll check the cost associated with the Pro app subscription and may just buy this. Thanks for the tip mate!

  • Protractor on 23/09/2024 - 11:19
    +1

    Have a look around here as well , or maybe eml them and ask directly?
    https://premium-diagnostics.com.au

    • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 12:03

      Thanks I will have a look and contact them :)

      • Protractor on 23/09/2024 - 12:19
        +1

        and trawl applicable forums (inc foreign versions of your cars)

  • Aldonis on 23/09/2024 - 12:05
    +1

    We use an Autel tablet at work but the annual subscription alone is higher than your budget

  • Protractor on 23/09/2024 - 12:36
    +2

    Grandad what's a mechanic?

  • dassaur on 23/09/2024 - 12:48
    +1

    Check out Gretio - might be able to help with a diesel craptiva (not sure though - it worked with my old diesel cruze)

    • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 17:28

      Looks promising, with DPF regen option! Just need to find an OBDLINK MX+, which at 250 bucks is not too bad

  • sumyungguy on 23/09/2024 - 13:38
    +1

    If you can find one, iCarsoft US V2.0 for Ford/GM Cherolet/Buick/Cadillac/GMC)/Chrysler/Jeep/ Holden can do diagnostics and oil reset for Captiva and Barina Spark

    • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 18:08

      Cheers! I will have a look for it, seems like a good option!

  • pegaxs on 23/09/2024 - 13:45

    Cant wait for your next post… "Guys, I ended up buying a Xianshu Xushan XPR1000TX-K OBD programmer from AliExpress and re-coded my injectors… now the car wont start. What do I do?"

    We use a G-Scan 2 at work… if that is of any use?

    • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 17:10

      Haha nah none of that shit haha.

      I'll suss out the G-Scan, cheers!

  • plmko on 23/09/2024 - 13:59
    +2

    It's possible to get pirated Dealer software and replica OBD communication cables to a PC.

    I have no idea if it would do what you are looking for, but that would cost you no more than $30 and of course all the greyness that comes with it.

    • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 17:30

      Thanks for the tip! Had a solid search on the weekend for pirated software. A lot of it was junk, spyware or couldn't communicate with my USB obd dongle. Happy to save a coin, but rather pay a bit more for something tried and tested.

  • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 17:45

    Anyone experience with Foxwell? Their GT60 appears to be suited for GM, and is on sale ($440 AUD, $299 USD on Foxwell website)

    https://autolines.com.au/products/foxwell-gt60-automotive-ob…

    • aussiecageman on 23/09/2024 - 18:01

      Scrap that, expensive subscription once your first three years run out apparently.

      • Protractor on 23/09/2024 - 19:57
        +2

        You won't have either of them ticking time bombs by then.

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