Just wondering how much the TECH 2 can do
besides a scanner
Is it what you can use to program used body control mods
and used engine ECM'*
and passkey mods
to work in other cars
And the rebuilt ones they sell
just wondering
thank you to all that reply

Well, yes and (kn)o(w)....

One of the main advantages of a Tech II scanner, is it is bidirectional....which means it can send info(commands) as well as receive them......this allows you to run many test on just about all the modules in the car....

One feature that I always found valuable, was to capture data, and then be able to plot it on a graph on the Tech II ....great for diagnostics....

But as far as programming is concerned, not without access to GM.....you can program two ways....one is directly attaching the vehicle directly to a GM accessible computer(most new vehicles)....the other way, on some older models, you can download the programming from a GM accessible computer to the Tech II, and then attach the Tech II to the vehicle and download it to the vehicle from the Tech II....The Tech II, on it'* own, can not program cars....

Also Tech II'* have to occasionally be updated....once again, need access to a GM compatible computer....

And buyer beware.....there are a lot of Tech II'* out there that are knockoffs from China....have heard some horror stories....

I forgot, but the typical cost of a subscription to GM isn't cheap either.

You are better off in the long run just to get an adapter that connects to a laptop so you can watch live data and run diagnostics. If you want any kind of bidirectional control, HPTuners is your best bet. But that runs $500, does not support ABS/Airbags. Or, a SnapOn Solus scanner will run you about $2000, but no programming, but does ABS and Airbag systems.

BTW, please pay attention to sections of the forum. The Buick section is specifically for the discussion of repairs of Buicks, as is the Pontiac section and the Chevrolet section. This would be considered a tool topic, thusly why I moved it to the Tool section.

Thanks for information to put used BTM and ECM would it work on those
or if you get both out of same car they would work together?
just have to do the return process? then or do you have to down load from GM pc
in that case like mike said

sorry I think you answered the question
I wonder what happens if you replaced used BTM and ECM out of a car out of the junk yard would they still talk to each other and run the car ??
thanks for the information

that would be ECM and BTM out of same car that is

Well, what are you trying to accomplish here?

Trying to help out a disabled vet with no money that was homeless for 3 years we have a seat that'* in good shape but it has no side airbag like the car came with.
So we were wondering just going to the yard and get the BTC and ECM out of non side airbag car would work

So the guy can have a car to go to his VA appointments
And give him a sense of being normal again

BCM and ECM don't have much to do with the airbags. Airbags have its own computer.