OBD I Code Reader Info Needed.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: Dardenne Prairie Mo
OBD I Code Reader Info Needed.
Hey everybody! I own a 89 coupe and mainly through this forum I found out I need a OBD I code Reader for this animal...the problem is everywhere I go I find the OBD II cheap( 69.00-98.00) and no OBD I.
I have been to a couple of websites that have massively exspensive ones ( 300.00-700.00) that say they will read both but I ain't got that kinda jack to spend....
The only one I have found so far is this little dude
http://www.autoshoppingcenter.com/te...canner_GM.html
Is this all I need? Is there a better one out there cheaper?
Thank you for all of your past awesome info!
Happy turkey day to all
I have been to a couple of websites that have massively exspensive ones ( 300.00-700.00) that say they will read both but I ain't got that kinda jack to spend....
The only one I have found so far is this little dude
http://www.autoshoppingcenter.com/te...canner_GM.html
Is this all I need? Is there a better one out there cheaper?
Thank you for all of your past awesome info!
Happy turkey day to all
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
All these cheapo readers do is short out some pins on the ALDL connector so you can read codes displayed on the dash cluster through a series of flashes and numeric displays. There is a tech tip that tells you how to do the same thing with a paper clip. A real dianostic tool like a Tech1 or Tech2 allows you to do far more, but will cost a lot of money.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
To rephrase what scrange said: To read fault codes all you need is a paperclip. See tech tips. If you want a full up scan tool plan to part with more than one Ben Franklin. Since you are asking the question go the paperclip and FSM route. If,and when you outgrow the paperclip think about a scaner. That last comment is directed at me more than you. I have bought not one but two laptops, Datamaster, RT Pro, plus some freebies and still do almost all my troubleshooting with a paperclip,a $1,00 test light and my FSM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,304
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
$38 for a paperclip in a plastic case ...''buy it now''...
i had to buy a whole box of paperclips, never one around when you need one...79cents IIRC...actually i gotta get a new box, current one is almost empty, use em all the time and they grow legs apparently.
i also have a $200 scanner that is worth having for 96 and ups, does help on earlier because it displays sensor inputs...if the paperclip isn't enough to find the gremblim.
old laptop and ''winaldl'' freebie software is best but a minor pita with inverter, patch cords, old laptop personality quirks
i had to buy a whole box of paperclips, never one around when you need one...79cents IIRC...actually i gotta get a new box, current one is almost empty, use em all the time and they grow legs apparently.
i also have a $200 scanner that is worth having for 96 and ups, does help on earlier because it displays sensor inputs...if the paperclip isn't enough to find the gremblim.
old laptop and ''winaldl'' freebie software is best but a minor pita with inverter, patch cords, old laptop personality quirks
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Frederick Colorado
Obd I reader
Originally Posted by Bob89c4
Hey everybody! I own a 89 coupe and mainly through this forum I found out I need a OBD I code Reader for this animal...the problem is everywhere I go I find the OBD II cheap( 69.00-98.00) and no OBD I.
I have been to a couple of websites that have massively exspensive ones ( 300.00-700.00) that say they will read both but I ain't got that kinda jack to spend....
The only one I have found so far is this little dude
http://www.autoshoppingcenter.com/te...canner_GM.html
Is this all I need? Is there a better one out there cheaper?
Thank you for all of your past awesome info!
Happy turkey day to all
I have been to a couple of websites that have massively exspensive ones ( 300.00-700.00) that say they will read both but I ain't got that kinda jack to spend....
The only one I have found so far is this little dude
http://www.autoshoppingcenter.com/te...canner_GM.html
Is this all I need? Is there a better one out there cheaper?
Thank you for all of your past awesome info!
Happy turkey day to all
Advanced Auto will download from diagnostic output and take it inside of store and print it out for you. Now thats awesome.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
I agree with using the paperlip or better yet, go to Autozone and ask them if they can give you a free code key (two teeth for A and B terminals). It's a lot easier to use and is shaped to fit directly into the ALDL terminals.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
Originally Posted by RRT vette
I agree with using the paperlip or better yet, go to Autozone and ask them if they can give you a free code key (two teeth for A and B terminals). It's a lot easier to use and is shaped to fit directly into the ALDL terminals.
with the comment on the free Auto Zone key:
However, I have a laptop and Turbo Link for my scan software. The flashing SES light is OK, but you can see a lot more with the software....and do graphs too
Last edited by Sam Lam; Nov 23, 2006 at 07:26 AM.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 297
Likes: 1
From: anacortes washington
[QUOTE=redrose]$38 for a paperclip in a plastic case ...''buy it now''...
i had to buy a whole box of paperclips, never one around when you need one...79cents IIRC...actually i gotta get a new box, current one is almost empty, use em all the time and they grow legs apparently.
i also have a $200 scanner that is worth having for 96 and ups, does help on earlier because it displays sensor inputs...if the paperclip isn't enough to find the gremblim.
not to hi-jack this thread, but is it worth getting a obdII scanner for my 91? or any other L98?
this one is on sale for $49.99 at harbor freight
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...unction=Search
i had to buy a whole box of paperclips, never one around when you need one...79cents IIRC...actually i gotta get a new box, current one is almost empty, use em all the time and they grow legs apparently.
i also have a $200 scanner that is worth having for 96 and ups, does help on earlier because it displays sensor inputs...if the paperclip isn't enough to find the gremblim.
not to hi-jack this thread, but is it worth getting a obdII scanner for my 91? or any other L98?
this one is on sale for $49.99 at harbor freight
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...unction=Search
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
[QUOTE=f451degrees]
not to hi-jack this thread, but is it worth getting a obdII scanner for my 91? or any other L98?
this one is on sale for $49.99 at harbor freight
QUOTE]
the obd-II connector will not work on earlier obd-I cars, connector shape is different.
some obd-II scanners have software to display obd-I car data, but you need an adapter (abt $40) to connect up....if you have info to interpret the sensor inputs, it can be extremely helpful.
the harbor fright sale item does not look like it will work on your car, but read the package ( i have not)....always, always, always read the package when buying a scanner, to avoid bringing home something that will work on your wifes car but not yours
not to hi-jack this thread, but is it worth getting a obdII scanner for my 91? or any other L98?
this one is on sale for $49.99 at harbor freight
QUOTE]
the obd-II connector will not work on earlier obd-I cars, connector shape is different.
some obd-II scanners have software to display obd-I car data, but you need an adapter (abt $40) to connect up....if you have info to interpret the sensor inputs, it can be extremely helpful.
the harbor fright sale item does not look like it will work on your car, but read the package ( i have not)....always, always, always read the package when buying a scanner, to avoid bringing home something that will work on your wifes car but not yours
