Tech 1 Scan Tool
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,586
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From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Tech 1 Scan Tool
Other than ebay, does anyone have any suggestions on where the best places would be for me to look to find a Tech 1? I just picked up a 1994 Jimmy 4x4, and since I now have 2 OBD1 rides, I figured it's time to spring for the most important tool I need to give my stable complete support. I do not want some cheapo knock-off aftermarket glorified code reader...I want the real deal that will allow me to give the '87 and the Jimmy complete factory level support.
Other than Tech 1 scan tool itself, what specific modules, cables, etc... should I look for to be included to give me complete support through 1994?
As a side note, I plugged a WTB ad in the C4 Parts section, but wanted to expand my search as wide as possible---I realize not everybody reads the C4 Parts section, so expanding the search starts here.
Any suggestions or help are welcome!
Dave
Other than Tech 1 scan tool itself, what specific modules, cables, etc... should I look for to be included to give me complete support through 1994?
As a side note, I plugged a WTB ad in the C4 Parts section, but wanted to expand my search as wide as possible---I realize not everybody reads the C4 Parts section, so expanding the search starts here.
Any suggestions or help are welcome!
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
It depends on how much you want to do with the scanner. I have a Craftsman that reads both OBD I & II using different adapter cables. It works fine for basic troubleshooting, but for more involved jobs I do go back to the Tech II. You can also check the Snap On forums, they may have a for sale section.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,586
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From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Heck, I can read codes on these two OBD I'ers by grounding pins B to A...and breaking out the FSM. But what I'm wanting is a scanner that I can read sensor values on, perform diagnostic test outlined in the FSM, etc...in other words, I want to be able to do everything the dealer could do, and no less.
I've never researched the Snap-On scanners, but that's about to change now. I need to find out what their capabilities are, and if there are models that can do what I outlined above....starting with the MT2500 mentioned by Bandit.
Thanks!
I've never researched the Snap-On scanners, but that's about to change now. I need to find out what their capabilities are, and if there are models that can do what I outlined above....starting with the MT2500 mentioned by Bandit.
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
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From: San Marcos CA
There are 3 cartridges I'd try to get so you have the most use of that scanner over a wide range of obd1 GM cars-
1)3000003 mass storage cartridge
2)3000003 mass storage cartridge
3)3000003 mass storage cartridge
(it is an all in one big memory cartridge that does everything to all the cars. i think it is only limited by the year it was programmed and newer models after that year would obviously not be included.
1)3000003 mass storage cartridge
2)3000003 mass storage cartridge
3)3000003 mass storage cartridge
(it is an all in one big memory cartridge that does everything to all the cars. i think it is only limited by the year it was programmed and newer models after that year would obviously not be included.
Race Director
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From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,586
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From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
This is all I've ever used in both my OBD 1 cars. Have a look:
Reading OBD-1 Codes on GM 1982-1995 - YouTube
Reading OBD-1 Codes on GM 1982-1995 - YouTube
^^^^
Right-o, which is the same method I use as outlines above, BUT...that's all you can do there. Again, I want the ability to have bi-directional diagnostic capabilities, the ability to look at live ecm values of sensors, etc... and that can only be done with the proper scan tool.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2012
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From: Mechanicsburg PA
Central PA Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
A few videos available on youtube... the MT2500 does have live bi-directional capability.
There is a scrolling wheel (like on a mouse) that allows you to scroll thru the live data.
Note the first video - diagnosing a bad O2 sensor on an LT1.
A Jeep (obd1) - the user had issue with defective modules. Replaced the PROM and fixed the issue afterwards.
A clip (on a Mustang)
There is a scrolling wheel (like on a mouse) that allows you to scroll thru the live data.
Note the first video - diagnosing a bad O2 sensor on an LT1.
A Jeep (obd1) - the user had issue with defective modules. Replaced the PROM and fixed the issue afterwards.
Last edited by Bandit's C4; Mar 10, 2015 at 06:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,586
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From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
I'm looking into those MT2500's now, and I like what I see.
One thing I know is that not every problem posts a code...for example: Rough idle when cold, idle smooths out when warm, no codes present. To fix a problem like this without diagnostic capabilities would involve implementation of the backyard-shadetree-mechanic methods of guessing, tail chasing, and parts shotgunning...to get directly to the source of a problem like that requires real-time scanning of components (ie coolant temp, etc...) to know what's going on when, and the ability to test questionable components.
Thanks for all of the the input.
One thing I know is that not every problem posts a code...for example: Rough idle when cold, idle smooths out when warm, no codes present. To fix a problem like this without diagnostic capabilities would involve implementation of the backyard-shadetree-mechanic methods of guessing, tail chasing, and parts shotgunning...to get directly to the source of a problem like that requires real-time scanning of components (ie coolant temp, etc...) to know what's going on when, and the ability to test questionable components.
Thanks for all of the the input.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: San Marcos CA
One question I have is if the Tech2 scanners have any backward compatibility using cord adapters to emulate the Tech1 functions? Also the bosch-vetronix MTS 3100 scanner is sort of the successor to the tech1 line and might also be functional with obd1 GM stuff since it is the same maker as the Tech1/1A scan tools.
Drifting
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From: Mechanicsburg PA
Central PA Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Team Owner
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From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
One question I have is if the Tech2 scanners have any backward compatibility using cord adapters to emulate the Tech1 functions? Also the bosch-vetronix MTS 3100 scanner is sort of the successor to the tech1 line and might also be functional with obd1 GM stuff since it is the same maker as the Tech1/1A scan tools.
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2021
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doesn't it work on batteries?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
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From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
You can put batteries in the unit, but I am leery of leaving them in for long periods of time. Most of the time I use it for OBD II, which has 12v at the connector. On the rare occasions that I need it for one of my OBD I cars I just dig out the power adapter cable.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,586
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From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Another old thread brought back from the dead. 
Well, since this thread has been resurrected, I will add that I ended up finding a Tech1 with a master cartridge, F/Y adapter, cables, books, and case for $125.00 back in 2015.
Well, since this thread has been resurrected, I will add that I ended up finding a Tech1 with a master cartridge, F/Y adapter, cables, books, and case for $125.00 back in 2015.
