"Code Acquisition"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 17
From: Cape Coral, FL
"Code Acquisition"
reading and researching through these various threads...most folks seem to be able to pull (and clear) their "codes" at will. I am assuming these are the codes on the red and black box the service technicians hook up to the car.
So-do all these forum folks buy one of those red and black boxes??? To be sure they aren't taking it to the shop for the $88 hook-up everytime?
Still new with lots of Q's
Thanks
JTK
So-do all these forum folks buy one of those red and black boxes??? To be sure they aren't taking it to the shop for the $88 hook-up everytime?
Still new with lots of Q's
Thanks
JTK
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 17
From: Cape Coral, FL
Originally Posted by PsychoNumber1
nope, I use a paper clip in the top right 2 holes and read the code off of the "check engine light"
Cute...
Seriously, I am in a $10,000 world of hurt here due to my corvette learning curve and the install of an aftermarket alarm system.
Lookin for some help please
TXH
JTK
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The best thing you can buy for your Vette is a factory service manual. Go to www.helminc.com and order one. It's the same set of books that the dealer techs use and you can find an explanation of the various trouble codes and even how to use the paper clip trick by counting the flash sequences.
While the right scan tool is great to have but terribly expensive, the paperclip does work. There are some code readers available that will identify codes but not for all of the car's systems. The cheap ones will not pull FX3, C68 Climate Control, or ABS codes. BTW, any AutoZone part store will pull the codes at no cost to you. There should be an AutoZone in Lakewood on Bridgeport Way.
See you are at Ft. Lewis!
I was born there!
While the right scan tool is great to have but terribly expensive, the paperclip does work. There are some code readers available that will identify codes but not for all of the car's systems. The cheap ones will not pull FX3, C68 Climate Control, or ABS codes. BTW, any AutoZone part store will pull the codes at no cost to you. There should be an AutoZone in Lakewood on Bridgeport Way.
See you are at Ft. Lewis!
I was born there!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 17
From: Cape Coral, FL
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
The best thing you can buy for your Vette is a factory service manual. Go to www.helminc.com and order one. It's the same set of books that the dealer techs use and you can find an explanation of the various trouble codes and even how to use the paper clip trick by counting the flash sequences.
While the right scan tool is great to have but terribly expensive, the paperclip does work. There are some code readers available that will identify codes but not for all of the car's systems. The cheap ones will not pull FX3, C68 Climate Control, or ABS codes. BTW, any AutoZone part store will pull the codes at no cost to you. There should be an AutoZone in Lakewood on Bridgeport Way.
See you are at Ft. Lewis! I was born there!
While the right scan tool is great to have but terribly expensive, the paperclip does work. There are some code readers available that will identify codes but not for all of the car's systems. The cheap ones will not pull FX3, C68 Climate Control, or ABS codes. BTW, any AutoZone part store will pull the codes at no cost to you. There should be an AutoZone in Lakewood on Bridgeport Way.
See you are at Ft. Lewis!
I was born there!Cruiser-many thanks for the information, I'll do a search on the specifics of the "paper-clip" trick.
The auto-zone was where I putted it to for the tow truck to pick it up-he wouldn't come on post.
Thanks again for the responses
Any additional info would not be frowned upon...
JTK
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 2
From: Wake Forest, NC
St. Jude Donor '05
Yeah, the paperclip is definately the poor-man's way 
Leave ignition off, put the paper clip in, turn ignition on (not cranking, just on) and count the flashes of the check engine light...
What year Vette do you have? Are you OBDI or OBDII? If you tell me the year, it will give it away
If you have a laptop and want to get a little more elaborate then the paper clip method, I'd recommend WinALDL. It's a piece of software you can download and run on your laptop. You'll need to make a cable to interface between the OBD connector and your serial port, but then you'll be in business.
Google WinALDL and you'll find the site. There is also a company that makes cables that you can buy without fabricating your own. Check their site too... I believe they do have a better description of the paperclip method as well with a diagram of how to use it. They also have a link to a list of codes to help you diagnose your findings. (If you don't have a manual)
Hehe.. I'm too lazy to google the site for you and post the link, but sned me a PM if you can't find it and I'll be happy to help you out.
Leave ignition off, put the paper clip in, turn ignition on (not cranking, just on) and count the flashes of the check engine light...What year Vette do you have? Are you OBDI or OBDII? If you tell me the year, it will give it away
If you have a laptop and want to get a little more elaborate then the paper clip method, I'd recommend WinALDL. It's a piece of software you can download and run on your laptop. You'll need to make a cable to interface between the OBD connector and your serial port, but then you'll be in business.
Google WinALDL and you'll find the site. There is also a company that makes cables that you can buy without fabricating your own. Check their site too... I believe they do have a better description of the paperclip method as well with a diagram of how to use it. They also have a link to a list of codes to help you diagnose your findings. (If you don't have a manual)
Hehe.. I'm too lazy to google the site for you and post the link, but sned me a PM if you can't find it and I'll be happy to help you out.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 11,108
Likes: 0
From: Behind The Redwood Curtain, The State of Jefferson
The paper clip jumpers the link. The Helms manual is a MUST you count the number of flashes of the check engine light and they refer to specific codes. There are plenty of posts to help you out somewhere. I was able to pull the codes w/out the manual and have them explained here. A search should help you out.
What I remember was that it would flash once pause flash twice (code 12) and repeat that two more times and then it'll flash your codes (each on three times, I had a code 32 so it flashed 3 times paused flashed twice and then repeated two more times) Then it'll flash the code 12 again to signify the end of your codes. That's off the top of my head from about 9 months ago...
good luck
What I remember was that it would flash once pause flash twice (code 12) and repeat that two more times and then it'll flash your codes (each on three times, I had a code 32 so it flashed 3 times paused flashed twice and then repeated two more times) Then it'll flash the code 12 again to signify the end of your codes. That's off the top of my head from about 9 months ago...
good luck
