07 Monte Carlo SS

Is there any software where I can do diagnostic/tuning with my laptop with my own OBD2 cables?

I use Nissan Datascan 3 for Nissans and Infinitis and was wondering if something like that existed for these cars.

 

I don't know anything about the software you mentioned, but there's only 1 option for real tuning of the stock ecm/tcm hardware in your year / engine - HPTuners.

 

​​​​​​
​​​​​​Datascan is just software made by people (not Nissan) to mimick Nissans consult software used by dealers for diagnostics. For instance I was dealing with a misfire on my G37S and didn't know the cylinder (generic p0300) and was able to use the software to disable each cylinder one by one to find the one misfiring.

You are also able to take logs of a bunch of different parameters such as rpm, speed, a/f ratios, etc.


I'm looking to see if there's something similar for an 07 Monte Carlo SS (5.3L) to help with diagnostics and repair on that car.


Would HPTuners work with an OBD2 cables from Amazon? I have a VAG+KKL cable and a VAG K+CAN cable. What cable would be needed for HPTuners or whatever software out there exists?

Thank you for the help!

 

So there's a few different options depending what your main goal is here:

-Scan tool. When you're mentioning things like cylinder misfire counters, logging data outputs, etc- this sounds like fairly generic scan tool functionality. Theres lots of choices for generic OBD scan tools to pull this kind of data. I use a mid range standalone Autel for doing that kind of stuff, but there's lots of good options out there. They can't do advanced diagnostics stuff like shutting off individual cylinders, but it sounds like it would cover the VAST majority of what you're looking to do here, and would be far cheaper.

-OEM technician level scan tool. Back in 07 GM Techs would've been using the "tech 2" for advanced diagnostics stuff. Thats also right about the time that GDS2/MDI would've started coming into play for complete re-flashes (say if GM updated maps for a recall), but all diagnostic stuff would've likely still been done on tech 2s. This sounds like more what you're after, but there isn't really a 'go to' path for this for the DIY person. Real tech 2s are very expensive, so it wouldn't make much sense to buy it for 1 car. There are a ton of tech 2 "clones" out there starting around a couple hundred bucks, but most I've seen have various known issues (not that the real one is perfect either though). But if youre interested in this path, theres tons of reading online by Google searching 'tech 2 clone'.

I don't personally own one of either (a real one or a clone), so I can't really give any useful advice on brand. Ive just never had a need for more than a good scan tool can provide in 30 years of working on GM stuff at home.


-Tuner. You mentioned tuning in the original subject, but none of the things you mention wanting to do are actually tuning. If youre looking to make permanent changes to the values in the pcm (say change fueling, change the idle speed, etc etc) - then there is only one option for doing that- HPTuners. It doesn't have all of the functionality of a tech 2, but it does have all of the capability of a scan tool (including nice logging features).

I noticed you didn't mention tuning here either - it really feels like a nice OBD scan tool with quality logging features or a tech 2 clone are going to be what youre after.


You don't use an obd cable at all with HPT, it plugs directly into the port (its a small module, less than baseball size). You'd then hook your laptop up to it when needed.

For the other options- a scan tool or tech 2 / clone, you don't need extra cables, they'll come with a cable already to plug into the obd port.

 

Just chiming in on a couple of things.
1. - The GM Tech II (which handles GM cars I believe up to 2013), I know someone with a clone. Works GREAT! I have personally used it for a variety of things (unlocking radios is a common one). It can grab data that most OBD-II tools don't offer (such as what DTCs have not been performed since last clearing codes). And it can read all computer modules in a GM car (PCM/BCM/EBCM/SIR/Transmission, etc). It can also offer functions not available on a basic scan tool (but are usually available on upper level tools), such as reading misfire data graphs, controlling things like the IAC or EGR, various diagnostics like activating all lights on a instrument cluster or sweeping the needles. Very handy and I believe available for like $400ish?

2. - There are TONS of scan tool options on the market. Some are basic and hand held. Others can connect with a computer. I have a cheap-o ELM327 bluetooth adapter. Most people pair it with a cell phone, I have it paired to my laptop and a piece of software on my laptop (I forget what it is but it is old and requires a license).

3. - I have a HPTuner. I tested it on a GM car that the TechII is too old for (Chevy Equinox). It will read codes and let me control some items like EGR and data log. But if I want to do tuning, I have buy and use credits to "unlock" that car (if HPT supports it). If you are not looking to do tuning, this is probably a bit excessive. And you have to use the HPT software with the HPT hardware that also requires a laptop.

 

Just looked up that datascan and saw how cheap it was, literally $40. You're definitely not going to find anything with that level of functionality anywhere near that price for GM stuff at least not from a legitimate source.