A little OT but... OBD2???
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
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From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
A little OT but... OBD2???
My 93 is OBDI equipped and I love that I can check the trouble codes with a simple paper clip.
Now my wife's car is a 98 Grand Prix and is OBDII equipped. And I'm afraid that my next Vette will be also. Is there any way to retrieve OBDII codes without a code reader (I'm afraid I know the answer
)??? If I must buy one, which is the most cost effective??? Any suggestions?
TIA
-Ed
Now my wife's car is a 98 Grand Prix and is OBDII equipped. And I'm afraid that my next Vette will be also. Is there any way to retrieve OBDII codes without a code reader (I'm afraid I know the answer
)??? If I must buy one, which is the most cost effective??? Any suggestions?TIA
-Ed
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 1
From: Norcross GA
No, you need a scan tool.
Most auto parts stores will read codes for free. OBD1 or 2.
I believe there are some cheap OBD2 reader's on the mkt. (Scan tool in disguise.) That is what the parts store will use/sell.
BTW OBD2 is a whole new animal.
Most auto parts stores will read codes for free. OBD1 or 2.
I believe there are some cheap OBD2 reader's on the mkt. (Scan tool in disguise.) That is what the parts store will use/sell.
BTW OBD2 is a whole new animal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
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From: San Diego, Ca
A simple reader is under $100 and will clear the codes too. I like OBD2. Much more info and codes (the most frustrating being the P440's which is usually nothing more than a loose gas cap) and all cars have the same communication protocols meaning you don't need separate cables or software between manufacturers. Before you dive in, make sure you learn the basics as some of the subsystems need to go through "cycles" before the MIL turns off and the best source is the Shop Manual. Also, the emissions warranty on your Gran Prix is much longer with the PCM and Cat being covered for at least 7/70,000 - 8/80,000. And, if you're in California, GM has issued a 200k warranty on the injectors for most '97 & '98 models.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 306
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From: Cotati CA
You may want to spend more and get a scanner. I bought an Autoxray last summer for about $475 -- I figure it will pay for itself the first few times I use it. The model I got (5000, I think) reads all OBD I and II and will read the next generation (can't remember it exact name). I agree with one of the earlier posts in this thread in that OBD II is much more helpful in that it tells you so much more.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,931
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From: Norcross GA
Not to get too nit-picky,... the all makes use the same cables & software. This isn't necessarily true. The codes and protocals are standardized, but the actual communications isn't. There are 3 different methods of communication to the cars PCM. All the car makes, use the same one. (All GM cars use the same method. All Audi's use the same method,....) I forget which other systems uses the same one as GM.
If the scan tool company does their interface correctly, it could interface to any of the 3 comm methods. I havn't looked recently, but I'm sure this common hardware is available by now.
Bottom line,... just make sure what auto makers the tool will interface with,... if it is important to you.
If the scan tool company does their interface correctly, it could interface to any of the 3 comm methods. I havn't looked recently, but I'm sure this common hardware is available by now.
Bottom line,... just make sure what auto makers the tool will interface with,... if it is important to you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
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From: San Diego, Ca
Maybe you're right, but that isn't how I interpret the mandate. In any event, I've had no trouble using mine between European (VW), Domestic (GM/Ford) or Asian (Toyota) and the literature that came with it advertised that it was good for anything that was out there. Oh, it's an Innova or something like that and there were 4 manuals - English, French, Spanish & German (so maybe it really wasn't meant for the Asian market).
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by SunCr
Maybe you're right, but that isn't how I interpret the mandate. In any event, I've had no trouble using mine between European (VW), Domestic (GM/Ford) or Asian (Toyota) and the literature that came with it advertised that it was good for anything that was out there. Oh, it's an Innova or something like that and there were 4 manuals - English, French, Spanish & German (so maybe it really wasn't meant for the Asian market).
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
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From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
Here are a couple of sites to get you started:
http://www.akmcables.com/obdii.htm
http://carputing.tripod.com/9697lt1edit.htm
http://www.autoenginuity.com/order.html
I bought the Autoenginuity on Ebay and only paid about $150.
http://www.akmcables.com/obdii.htm
http://carputing.tripod.com/9697lt1edit.htm
http://www.autoenginuity.com/order.html
I bought the Autoenginuity on Ebay and only paid about $150.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
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Originally Posted by BrianCunningham
Later C4's can make the codes appear right on the dash.
I'm pretty sure that the C5/6's can do it to.
I'm pretty sure that the C5/6's can do it to.
All the way up to and including 95. In 96 they switched to OBD2, and the only way to access the codes is from a scanner.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by Cold_B
All the way up to and including 95. In 96 they switched to OBD2, and the only way to access the codes is from a scanner.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 153
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I got an Equus OBD II Code Reader. It only displays the stored codes and allows you to reset the computer. It seems to be universal and I have tried it on GM, Dodge, Toyota, and Honda. It has worked fine on all of them. It comes with a manual that describes ODBII and has descriptions for all the codes including manufacturer specific ones.
It was $110, you can get it at Autozone or search online.
Cheers,
Lawrence
It was $110, you can get it at Autozone or search online.
Cheers,
Lawrence
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by TrackDayLT4
I got an Equus OBD II Code Reader. It only displays the stored codes and allows you to reset the computer. It seems to be universal and I have tried it on GM, Dodge, Toyota, and Honda. It has worked fine on all of them. It comes with a manual that describes ODBII and has descriptions for all the codes including manufacturer specific ones.
It was $110, you can get it at Autozone or search online.
Cheers,
Lawrence
It was $110, you can get it at Autozone or search online.
Cheers,
Lawrence
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
The most cost effective....
I purchased a universal code reader from Harbor Freight for OB11's. It was $39.99 and the part # is 46030 and comes with a book of the codes. Check it out at www.harborfrieght.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
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From: San Diego, Ca
Slow day - still raining - go here and click on the PDF document under Technical Documents to get the results of some independent testing of different scanners:
http://www.epa.gov/orcdizux/regs/im/...tech/light.htm
http://www.epa.gov/orcdizux/regs/im/...tech/light.htm
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
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From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
Originally Posted by ZylaRace
Not to get too nit-picky,... the all makes use the same cables & software. This isn't necessarily true. The codes and protocals are standardized, but the actual communications isn't. There are 3 different methods of communication to the cars PCM. All the car makes, use the same one. (All GM cars use the same method. All Audi's use the same method,....) I forget which other systems uses the same one as GM.
Originally Posted by SunCr
Maybe you're right, but that isn't how I interpret the mandate. In any event, I've had no trouble using mine between European (VW), Domestic (GM/Ford) or Asian (Toyota) and the literature that came with it advertised that it was good for anything that was out there.
The OBD2 standard can be implemented in slightly different ways and satisfy the government mandate. There are required engine parameters listed in both generic and enhanced (i.e., manufacturer-specific) mode.
J1850, ISO 9141-2 and ISO 14230-4 - describes the various communication protocols and message formats that a manufacturer may use when developing and implementing the OBD software on a vehicle. - EPA420-R-00-017, October 2000.
A generic OBD2 scan tool will scan any OBD2 vehicle sold in the US. Generic OBD2 scan tools are required to automatically determine the protocol use by the vehicle manufacturer and read the appropriate standard OBD2 parameters. The allowed enhanced (i.e., manufacturer-specific) parameters may or may not be readable using a generic OBD2 scan tool.
Ease www.obd2.com sells both OBD2 generic scan tools and manufacturer specific scan tools. They even have a generic OBD2 scan tool softeware package for most PDAs. If anyone is interested I rep for Ease and can get a 10% rebate for those who order through me.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
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From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by elefkow
I purchased a universal code reader from Harbor Freight for OB11's. It was $39.99 and the part # is 46030 and comes with a book of the codes. Check it out at www.harborfrieght.com
Now we're talkin'.... does it clear codes also? Do you like yours, or do you wish that you would've held out for something a little better?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Yes....
Originally Posted by eschoendorff
Now we're talkin'.... does it clear codes also? Do you like yours, or do you wish that you would've held out for something a little better?