ColoradoDave

The message "Service Battery Charging System" is not the DTC code, its the human readable equivalent of a check engine light for problems that are managed by the BCM. The BCM has interpreted there is a charging problem. This is based on any number of sensors readings the ECM and the BCM use to interpret the health of the charging system, exactly as your research that you posted has shown. Once the BCM determines there is a problem, it will set a DTC. The BCM then sends a message to the DIC (a human readable message...not the actual DTC) so you know there is a problem. What Rob is saying without specifically saying it is that you'll need something more than an OBDII scanner to read the GM specific code related to this DTC. Because this is not an emission related DTC, DIY handheld scanners will not be able to read the DTC and will report all is fine (as has been noted twice in this thread). Scanners that are able to communicate over the GM bus, have the necessary GM modules loaded and can communicate with modules like the BCM will be able read the actual DTC that is triggering the DIC human readable message you see. You need the DTC code (as well as specific diagnostic procedures related to the DTC) to be able to correctly diagnose the issue, particularly since basic diagnostic work done so far has not found any obvious problems. Hope this helps.

part number 41

I understand what you are saying, however, does your scanner say you are ready for emission testing?

Forgot to mention for you iOS guys out there, OBDLink MX Wifi speaks Apple for around 110 dollars. MX is android and windows phone is right at 100. if I were going to do it again, I'd get the MX so I could cover both (cough) Ford (cough) and GM. Looks like the MX may have additional GM features my LX does not have. Also, Gov is right. Get a subscription to alldatadiy.com BUT DO NOT PAY FULL PRICE for it though. Do a search for discount codes and you can get a deal. For example, I got a two year sub for 13 dollars using code "springdiy" See what you can find for a deal here http://www.retailmenot.com/view/alldata.com

I have no doubt thats what the marketing literature says, but have you actually confirmed that it will scan the ABS system on GM trucks? I've not seen a scanner for that price that will do ABS. Several of the reviews on the link you provided even mention this fact., although none specifically say anything about GM trucks. While you could be right, id definitely verify that before i bought it. To the OP, IMO (for what its worth), if you are intending to do serious diagnostic work, none of the scanners mentioned previously do what needs to be done. Only VERY high end scanners typically handle ABS systems and the BCM, and even then, you need to be careful which one you are considering. Only a Tech II will handle all of what you could want on a GM truck. Dont bother checking the price if you dont want a heart attack. Considering that you are not that familiar with OBDII diagnostic work, it probably makes the most sense to either take it to a shop with a scanner that can read these subsystems (dealer or good independent shop) or get it scanned for free as was mentioned earlier. If you really want a scanner just to have around to check the check engine light that pop up from time to time, nothing wrong with the ones previously mentioned, but you dont need to spend that kind of money. Case in point, I have two scanners....an Innova 3160 that costs 220 dollars (looks and sounds an awful lot like that Matco) and an OBDLink LX that cost 70 dollars that interfaces with my android phone. I can read the exact same items and do the exact same things with the 70 dollar scanner and my phone that I can with the 220 dollar scanner and its a hell of a lot more convenient. I would consider the LX about as cheap as you want to go on a OBDII scanner and have it be good quality. Its by no means a Tech II, but thats not what I got it for.