GDS2 or a FORscan/ALPHAobd like program

Keith_Schumaker · January 23, 2021

Does anyone have any experience with GM's GDS2 or know of any program like ALPHAobd for chrysler or FORscan for Ford that would work on GM vehicles?

I was looking at a few things I want to do to my truck and would have a lot of programming for the dealer to do and would rather just do it myself because my trust in dealerships is about non existent. I want to add the high idle, the rear cargo lights and remote start and I am figuring I can do it with a J2534 scanner and GDS2 software but I want to make sure before I throw $150 away and still have to go to the dealer. Does anyone have any experience with this software or have it at work that they would be able to browse it for a few minutes?

Coming from a F-350 I miss FORscan, I used to be able to change almost anything in the system right from my laptop. I could change the temperature of the heated steering wheel, turn seat belt chimes off, change how many times the turn signals would flash if you bumped them, add DPF% screen and much more. I have searched high and low and can't find a similar program for gm though.

GTPprix · January 23, 2021

14 minutes ago, Keith_Schumaker said:

Does anyone have any experience with GM's GDS2 or know of any program like ALPHAobd for chrysler or FORscan for Ford that would work on GM vehicles?

I was looking at a few things I want to do to my truck and would have a lot of programming for the dealer to do and would rather just do it myself because my trust in dealerships is about non existent. I want to add the high idle, the rear cargo lights and remote start and I am figuring I can do it with a J2534 scanner and GDS2 software but I want to make sure before I throw $150 away and still have to go to the dealer. Does anyone have any experience with this software or have it at work that they would be able to browse it for a few minutes?

Coming from a F-350 I miss FORscan, I used to be able to change almost anything in the system right from my laptop. I could change the temperature of the heated steering wheel, turn seat belt chimes off, change how many times the turn signals would flash if you bumped them, add DPF% screen and much more. I have searched high and low and can't find a similar program for gm though.

GDS is just diagnostics nothing at the dealer level will do what you're looking for however this will:

https://www.whiteautoandmedia.com/product/t1-pickup-wams-spec-bcm-programming/

New features getting added all the time

tbarn · January 23, 2021

GDS does not do programing. Diagnostic tool only. Also, GM dealer cannot do custom programing for you.

gSwift · January 24, 2021

14 hours ago, tbarn said:

GDS does not do programing. Diagnostic tool only. Also, GM dealer cannot do custom programing for you.

What he's wanting done isn't necessarily "custom". I'm not sure about the remote start and rear cargo lights that the OP is referring to because it most likely needs the hardware to go along with a BCM reprogram, but I can tell you from experience that I took my 2020 2500 AT4 to the dealer that did NOT have high idle, and I told them I wanted the feature and they programmed it for me for $200, which is how much that feature costs if it was added when you build out your truck.

Keith_Schumaker · January 24, 2021

GDS does not do programing. Diagnostic tool only. Also, GM dealer cannot do custom programing for you.

I know it doesn't "program" but it updates, and with tech line they add what you want to your vin and you flash an update to the computer. At least that is what I am reading, not too sure. And as another user stated I want actual gm codes added which are available at the dealer which they could add, I would just have to add the modules like the remote start fobs and the cargo lights then go to the dealer for the re-flash.

That wams programmer looks promising but they have to add everything you want and it would be $400, I think the dealer might be cheaper than that.

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