Help me buy a diagnostic tool

[Chubbs]

Confession: I don't really know much about OBD diagnostics. I probably know more than the average guy, but definitely not a ton.

I've been trying to troubleshoot my inop cruise control on my goblin for a while. What I really need is some sort of tool that will show me, in real time, what switches are active. Is the clutch switch working? Press it an see if the status changes. Is the cruise button working? Press it and see.

I have heard the GM Tech 2 tool will do exactly this (is that the "bidirectional" part of a scan tool?). But, they are $250-ish, and I'm guessing only do GM stuff. Are there other tools that will also do what I need, but service more vehicles? What sort of "features" should I look for in a good tool?

Any recommendations appreciated. I have only used crummy $50 tools in the past that check codes. It's time for a "real" scan tool that does more than that.

 

[Gtstorey]

I just spent $1000 on an Autel MS906BT scanner. Plus a lot more to add the oscilloscope. I haven't had a chance to use it yet though.

You can get VXDAIG Nano for GM for $120 (if you have a laptop it will work on, I'm a little confused about whether newer laptops will work) that will do what you need for the Goblin, but it can be a pain to get started. It takes me an hour to get it running every time I use it, which is about once a year. The only bi-directional control that I have found that it is missing is the speedometer step motor test.

Here is what it should be able to do. t2paths-en.pdf (tech2wiki.com)

There are other options between $120 and $1000 but I think they are well above $500. You have to look at what options you really need. My Autel can't program modules, TPMS, or full battery testing, since that would have added another $800. It's hard to know where to draw the line.

 

[Goblinfanclub1234]

at one point I owned a knock off tech2 from amazon and it worked okay. I reset my oil life and clutch switch and then returned it haha

do you have a 3rd brake light installed? (and a load resistor if you are using an LED 3rd brake light).

 

[Gtstorey]

There are options on the VXDAIG NANO for most vehicle makes for $529, but at that point I decided to spend more for the AUTEL since it should be a lot simpler.