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Also, more and more generic scan tools are popping up on the market, but so far they can only handle the federal mandated faultcodes.
I'm going to try to give you some hints for the Tech2.
First, you can buy whatever Tech2 that you see for sale. It doesn't have to be a Saab OEM one. The only thing that makes it possible to use on a Saab is the PCMCIA memory card that is installed at the top of scanner.
So far I have seen GM,Mac tool, SPX/OTC, Saturn,Opel Tech2's. My boss have a Saab OEM and I bought a Mac tool one.
If you keep an eye on the E-bay auction site it's usually one popping up now and then. That's where I bought mine. Search for Tech2 or OTC.
If you only want to use it for 96 and up cars with OBD2 ( I'm not sure if Canada is using OBD2 with the 16 pin standard connector) you can use the cable and 16 pin connector that all the different models comes with.
If you want to use it on the 95 and older Saab's, you need to buy the 10 pin connector from Kent-Moore tools ( which is the tool distributor for Saab)
OK, so the next step is, if you find a non Saab Tech2, that one most likely comes with a GM PCMCIA card. This card cannot be used on a Saab right away because it is loaded with GM cars information. What you can do next is to order a new Tech2 PCMCIA card from Saab eg. Kent-Moore tools, or if you don't mind erasing the GM information you can update the card that came with the Tech2.
Which brings us to the next step, If you buy a new PCMCIA card from Kent-Moore it will have no information for any specific Saab in the card when you get it. The card will only be prepared to accept software to be installed, so you also need to buy a CD from Kent-Moore called TIS 2000. On that CD is the latest software that Saab have come out with and you load that CD onto your PC. When that is done you hook the Tech2 scanner up to the PC Com1 or 2 port with the cable that came with the Tech2 and load the software to the PCMCIA card in the Tech2.
Do I have you confused by now?
Now to the pricing.
My boss bought his from a Saab dealer in Seattle,WA ( our dealer didn't want to sell it to us) and he paid almost $4000.00 for it. Since it was a Saab OEM it came with the 10 and 16 pin connector and the Saab PCMCIA card.
I picked up my Mac tool Tech2 at E-bay and paid $1750.00. That one came with the GM card and also a card called 3 in 1 (Chrysler/Ford/GM). plus all the cables needed.
I then had to buy the 10 pin connector and a second PCMCIA card (didn't want to erase the GM card) from Kent-Moore, the connector is $80.00 and the PCMCIA card is $400.00.
But I also had to buy the TIS 2000 CD with Saab software, since the new card is blank. That CD is $300.00.
So, for about $2500.00 did I get a Tech2 that is just as current as my bosses.
But several times a year does Saab come out with a new TIS 2000 CD, so it all depends on how current you want to keep your Tech2. The latest version of the software is called 42.500.
I have also seen the Tech2 for sale from a shop on the East coast called The Tool Warehouse, they sell it for $3500.00 all the time, but it comes with the GM card only.
And finally, if you want to be able to flash the new computers that Saab have in the 2000 and up models you need to buy a hardware key from Kent-Moore and plug that one into your PC. With that key you can update the software program in the ECU of the car. That one cost $230.00.
That's it for now. If you have any question feel free to write.
Anders Johannesson
http://www.swedishcarclinic.com
posted by 66.134.55...
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