VXDIAG VCX NANO GDS2 Cadillac CTS 2011 Honest Review

I have the wired vxdiag vcx nano gm interface from vxdiagshop.com.  It comes with a USB plug, GDS2, Tech2Win, and a license but needs to be renewed using VXManager periodically (60 days).

The GDS crack may be out of date but certainly miles better than those cheap Bluetooth scanners.

Great for bi-directional commands. It works the ABS pumps on a ’96 Corvette (first year of OBD2) and a ’03 Z06. But it won’t work on a C5 corvette and 4th gen camaro for ABS and airbag.  As I was told it is better for newer vehicles. It works fine on my notebook for my 2011 Cadillac CTS though.

The sequence you have to go through for it to start is interesting. Open the VXManager first and make sure the dongle is found. Then open the Tech2Win via the configurator so must select “North America” first. If not are liable to get the menu with just F0 and F1.

Just had a surprise with my NANO. Said “license has expired”. Had to go to VXDIAG, download latest VX Manager, Firmware Upgrade, then Upgrade License.

Licenses say “2030” so that is good but at top it talks about 60 days.

So I tried the VXDIAG VCX NANO GDS2, and seemed to have got the cracked software installed after disabling anti-virus or it will go nuts. I can connect to the 2011 CTS, it is been able to get it to show me useful DTC history.

 

You must load the software components in the right order. But first go to VXDIAG.NET and

Download VX Manager Please download latest vx manager . After download, please install the new vx manager.

Update the Firmware Then connect device to laptop, laptop connecting network. Open new vx manager, click “Firmware” to update

Update the License Click “Update license” to renew on the vx manager.

then

• Install the VM software (i prefer load it on VM)
• Install the VX software (the VX software is for the diagnostic connector that connects to the car, and takes the place of GM’s MDI)

• Use the Tech2 Win auto-install
• Install the GM MDI Manager

Important
– Before you open Tech2Win, you must first open and run the VX Manger software and connect the vehicle connector (blue thing) to the USB, so the VX manager recognizes it.

 

I have not had to use it for pass through programming, but from what I’ve seen it is supposed to be able to pull firmware from acdelcotds and flash to the various modules in the vehicle.
If nothing else, it is really nice to be able to view more than just the standard pcm data that regular odb2 scanners do. For example, my traction control keeps encountering errors, this lets me know the problen is somewhere in the driver side front wheel speed sensor signal. On my CTS it let me know my traction control random errors were coming from a bad steering wheel position sensor.