Anyone who makes a living doing high end diagnostics, automotive module programming and re-programming knows how expensive the equipment is. As the fortunes of the big 3 automotive manufactures go to hell we see some very troubling trends shaping up in the automotive industry. GM and Chrysler used bankruptcy to cheat the share holders and retirees out of billions. Everyone in vehicle programing knows how expensive the equipment is. As the fortunes of the big 3 automotive manufactures go to hell we see some very troubling trends shaping up in the automotive industry.
Simply put, us technicians are the folks who use this stuff all the time and many of us spend a lot of time doing some very unique things with OEM software. Trying to link OEM software programs like TIS (When it was on disc), Ford IDS, Chrysler Bench top Client, and Bench top Programmer, Toyota Techline, and many many more to J2534 pass thru units is a passion of mine. Some are easy to do, like GM TIS and Toyota TechLine and others I have not found the way to just yet like Ford IDS and Benchtop Programmer.
Than there is those of us who have the OEM equipment and are engaged in the life long struggle to be able to get data and flash programming without having to pay for it. Thats where the information sharing comes in. Lots of us know that GM TIS on Disc has all GM flash programming on it up to early 08 and can use it with Tech 2 and J tools to flash directly from the program to the automobile. For the newer cars, however, we are forced to go on line and download flashes from GM TIS ON WEB to get flash programming. Now someone out there has figured out a way to get the flashes off of TIS on WEB and on to a hard drive, question is, how do I get that? I, for instance, have TIS up to 07 but cant find the last update disc for November of 08. Someone out there has the disc I need and may need, for instance, a Nissan Supercode key generator. A potential software trade has just been born! You may have something I dont need, but I know someone who does need it and has some cool programs that you may want. The possibilities are limitless! Problem is, if we are not organized and dont get the word out, no one knows anything and we all end up getting screwed in the end!
Some of you have been slammed by this latest rip off by WiTech where you may have gone out and bought a Pod and the Witech Software from WiTech, only to now have your Pod locked out and your software trashed because WiTech has greedily mandated that you must now buy ANOTHER POD and all the other garbage you dont need just to get the stuff you had working. To add insult to injury, WiTech is going to charge you almost 300 bucks a year to add the Pod you already bought to your new account that, when all is said and done will cost you over 4 grand. This is unacceptable and we should not stand for it.
These Review forums on Ebay are a great place to spread the word and make connections. I have met hundreds of folks who have been VERY forthcoming with software as have I. Im not trying to create my own competition, but we are all over the world. Take for instance the tech in Germany who has access to Land Rover, Audi and Porsche software that will run wonderfully on a typical J tool. He cant get his hands on GM TIS on Disc over there. A trade is born!
Someone in another part of the country may need a flash for a 09 Chrysler 300 but does not have a subscription to TechConnect. He simply shoots me an Email and I download the flash, and email it to him/her. That may not be the best example because a one day subscription to TechConnect is only like 25 bucks, but you get the idea. Getting flashes for Volkswagen's is not an easy task especially if you need a dashboard or radio program. Most J tool sites for the OEM's only give you PCM and Transmission flash programing.
Like all of my Reviews out here, they are a work in progress. I like to establish contact with Ebay users who cruse the guides and keep a catalog of what folks have so I can connect folks with other folks. There is a lot of stuff out there and we need to start to connect or the OEM's will simply wipe us out with high cost and lack of access to information.
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