C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Confused over OBD1 and OBD2

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Old Sep 14, 2013 | 08:14 PM
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Default Confused over OBD1 and OBD2

Hi all, I have a 94 LT1 and I am wanting to be able to hook my laptop up to the car for diagnostics, and possibly in the future playing around with programming. I know my car is OBD 1 but my connector is an OBD 2 connector. Can I just use one of those cheap OBD2 cables from China, or is there a special cable for cars using OBD 1 with OBD 2 connectors?

Thanks for any help.
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Old Sep 16, 2013 | 01:28 AM
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OBD refers to the communications protocol. The appropriate software takes care of that. The cable doesn't matter.

OBD I broadcasts a continuous stream of data, which is a series of numbers. The software needs the correct template to know what the data means because the pattern changed from year to year.

OBD II only sends data on request. The software asks for a piece of data (like RPM) and the car sends that information and nothing else. That means that the software and computer in the car are constantly sending messages back and forth. The basic error codes are standardized in OBD II, but it also allows for an expanded set of error codes that are unique for each vehicle.
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Old Sep 16, 2013 | 07:38 AM
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I just bought a cheap cable from a guy and spent hours trying to get it to connect. I would buy this:
http://www.moates.net/aldu1-and-cabl....html?cPath=64

Last edited by MrWillys; Sep 16, 2013 at 11:19 AM.
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Old Sep 16, 2013 | 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by MrWillys
I just bought a cheap cable from a guy and spent hours trying to get it to connect. I would buy anything but this:
http://www.moates.net/aldu1-and-cabl....html?cPath=64
I thought that it was another cable you were having difficulty with. Maybe the "red devil"?
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Old Sep 16, 2013 | 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by WVZR-1
I thought that it was another cable you were having difficulty with. Maybe the "red devil"?
You are correct, thank you for pointing out my error. My post has been edited. Moates "is" who to buy the cable from!
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Old Sep 17, 2013 | 03:31 AM
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I also am confused. What else do you need to reprogram fans for a 160f thermostat. What is the best software. I was looking at LT1 edit, but seem to confusing, other programs, and way to expensive. I get the cable, just a means to connect laptop to car. Is this to expensive to just reprogram the fan speed. Should I just get the Jet Performance coolant Fan switch for $60?

I found Tunercat. The OBD1 LT1 Pro tuning kit for $250, which looks like it includes everything, including Datamaster Progam. Not sure what is is used for yet, but I must need it!!!!

Last edited by rhinoevans; Sep 17, 2013 at 04:22 AM.
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Old Sep 17, 2013 | 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by rhinoevans
I also am confused. What else do you need to reprogram fans for a 160f thermostat. What is the best software. I was looking at LT1 edit, but seem to confusing, other programs, and way to expensive. I get the cable, just a means to connect laptop to car. Is this to expensive to just reprogram the fan speed. Should I just get the Jet Performance coolant Fan switch for $60?

I found Tunercat. The OBD1 LT1 Pro tuning kit for $250, which looks like it includes everything, including Datamaster Progam. Not sure what is is used for yet, but I must need it!!!!
Tunercat work well on those cars.
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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 10:37 PM
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I got the http://www.aldlcable.com/ 16 pin a few months ago. download http://www.ttspowersystems.com/DataM...ownloads2.html (DM35xEE) You get 10 free trials before purchase. I have only had a few months, so I can not help more then that. I have not got all bugs worked out. Sometimes connects and not. I do get to read data.. I am still learning also. Oh I have a 95, I thaught that 95 was the only year that had the OBD2 plug with OBD1 comp.
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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 10:41 PM
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oops I see he posted on 9/14 prob. went elsewhere..
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Old Oct 4, 2013 | 01:38 PM
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Hi all, thanks for the help, been a while since I looked at my post, oops. I ended up getting the cable from red devil and then I tried using tuner pro rt but I found it confusing for what I wanted to use. In the end I used tts datamaster. At first I couldn't maintain a constant connection but that was easily fixed by selecting a couple options on the program. Now I'm getting a constant connection and everything appears to be working well. Now I just have to figure out why I'm getting spark retard and lots of knock counts!!

Loopidoo: I think I read somewhere that some of the later 94 models had the OBD2 plug, I guess mine must have been one of those.
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Old Oct 4, 2013 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by rhinoevans
I found Tunercat. The OBD1 LT1 Pro tuning kit for $250, which looks like it includes everything, including Datamaster Progam. Not sure what is is used for yet, but I must need it!!!!
Datamaster is a data logging software, will also read/clear codes.

Originally Posted by bjankuski
Tunercat work well on those cars.


Originally Posted by nwarner2010
Loopidoo: I think I read somewhere that some of the later 94 models had the OBD2 plug, I guess mine must have been one of those.
All 94 Corvettes had OBDII style ALDL's.
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 01:32 AM
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NWARNER keep us updated , I would like to know too. Why you Are getting spark retard and lots of knock counts!!! Thx for that STL94 ( I thaught only 95 had the OBDII plug with OBDI comp ). So much info here..THANK YOU ALL
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 02:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Loopidoo
Sometimes connects and not. I do get to read data.. .
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-s...e-the-car.html
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
All 94 Corvettes had OBDII style ALDL's.
The CONNECTOR is OBD II style. The protocol is OBD I. Same for 1995.

OBD II wasn't implemented until 1996.
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
The CONNECTOR is OBD II style. The protocol is OBD I. Same for 1995.

OBD II wasn't implemented until 1996.
In fact, ALL 1994 corvettes have the 16 pin connector? I thought the 16. Pin was added late in the 1994 production. I just bought a scanner with the 12 pin connector, thinking it would work with my early model 1994. I do not know what connector I have, am currently not located with car. Now in search of a Autoxray 16 pin adapter, and have found a few on ebay. The adapter almost as much as I payed for scanner. Guess I should have went with Tunercat
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by rhinoevans
In fact, ALL 1994 corvettes have the 16 pin connector? I thought the 16. Pin was added late in the 1994 production. I just bought a scanner with the 12 pin connector, thinking it would work with my early model 1994. I do not know what connector I have, am currently not located with car. Now in search of a Autoxray 16 pin adapter, and have found a few on ebay. The adapter almost as much as I payed for scanner. Guess I should have went with Tunercat
I've got an extra one. PM me your address, and if it works you can send me $15.

Box says it's Autoxray 20211

Last edited by MrWillys; Oct 5, 2013 at 09:59 PM.
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Old Oct 24, 2013 | 10:06 AM
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I seem to not be getting notifications of replies to the thread for some reason. Anyway been chasing this problem still with no luck. i was sure it was a header leak causing it after I found out the drivers side flange was a little warped but after redoing all that, its still the same, lots of spark retard and knock counts. Going to start a new thread in the tech and performance section to see if I can get this sorted. Thanks.
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Old Oct 26, 2013 | 01:25 AM
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Originally Posted by nwarner2010
I seem to not be getting notifications of replies to the thread for some reason.
Did you subscribe to the thread? It's not automatic.

Under the thread replay box, click "Go Advanced". Scroll down. Under "Thread Subscription", select "Instant email notification".
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