I'm looking to pick up a diagnostic tool and am not sure what to get. Prices seem to range from $80 to $500. Is it basically "you get what you pay for" or is there a decent scanner out there for under $200? recomendations??

 

Yes, your car has one built in... its the DIC!

 

DO you have a laptop?

 

DIC?? so u can pull the codes from the DIC?? how can u pull em??

 

READING YOUR Engine Diagnostic Codes



The Diagnostic Display Mode is entered with the following procedure:
1) Turn on the ignition but don't start the engine.
2) Press the RESET button to turn off any warning messages. (i.e. door open, trunk open ect)
3) Press and hold OPTIONS
4) While holding OPTIONS, press FUEL four times within a 10-second period.


Initially, on-board diagnostics go into an Automatic Mode which shows diagnostic codes in a pre-set sequence: PCM - TCS - RTD - BCM - IPC - RADIO - HVAC - LDCM - RDCM - SCM - RFA. All codes will be displayed for each. ( i.e. PCM = 4 codes) If none are present in a given module, you will see No More Codes on the display.
There are two kinds of diagnostic codes, Current and History designated with a letter suffix, “C” or “H”. A current C code indicates a malfunction is present and active in the module displaying data. A history code indicates a problem existed sometime in the last 40 or 50 ignition cycles. When not accompanied by a current code of the same number, it's potential evidence of a previous problem, now resolved, that was not removed by clearing the codes.
More likely it's an indication of an intermittent malfunction.
Intermittent codes are the most challenging of the diagnostics. An intermittent code may have happened once, may have happened more than once but is inconsistent or may be happening on a regular basis but not at the time the codes are displayed. History codes can also be caused by a current malfunction in a system that is not operating at the time codes are displayed. An example is the rear window defogger which doesn't operate until the Body Control Module detects engine rpm. For history codes set by a module that does not operate with the key on and engine off, a special diagnostic tool called a Scan Tester is necessary to properly diagnose the malfunction.
Once the system has displayed all modules, it goes into the manual mode which allows selection of each module using combinations of Driver Information Center buttons. Manual mode can also be entered during the automatic sequence by pressing any button except English/Metric (E/M). Once the display shows Manual Diagnostics, select a module by pressing the OPTIONS button to go forward or the TRIP button to go back. Once a module is selected, a code is displayed, and if more than one are present; press GAGES to go forward or FUEL to go back.
To exit the diagnostic mode at any time, press E/M. If you want to erase codes in a given module, press and hold the RESET button To reset the codes once in manual mode, press and hold RESET until it displays NO CODES Press OPTIONS to go to the next module. Repeat the steps until you have reset the codes in all the computer modules.
NOTE!! Only reset the codes IF you want to - it is NOT necessary to do this. Clearing a code does not repair a problem. You are simply erasing the evidence of it in the module's memory. If you clear the code/s, and extinguish the Check Engine Light, your emissions status ready will NOT allow you to pass an emissions test until you have completed the required driving cycles.
Once you have the codes, the next question is: What to do with the information?
First, consult the factory service manual. Any serious C5 Do-It-Yourself owner should invest in the Corvette Service Manual of the appropriate model year. The Service Manual is really a requirement if you want to understand and work on your C5. You can GOOGLE the DTC and also find information on it.




Here is very good site that explains the DTCs:


http://www.corvette-web-central.com/C5DTCcode.html


http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_cod...d-ii-codes.php



Make sure to include the H or C suffix!!

 

I bought one of those laptop ELM OBD interfaces and cables from EBAY. Was only $80 and it was the best money I ever spent. You can find these even cheaper these days.

You can get as fancy as you want buying aftermarket software or use the free programs like DigiMoto Lite.

This is the place I bought it from when they were selling on ebay.

http://mechanicdoctor.com/p-3235-elm...onnection.aspx

Like I said, they can be found cheaper, but be careful about sellers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ELM32...motiveQ5fTools

 

However,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,IF ,,,,,,,,you wanted a very good scanner, heres the one that I purchased for my 06 C6 Coupe (05-2010 dont have the self diagnosic feature ) and my 08 Jeep.

Actron CP-9180 AutoScanner PLUS. Excellent Scanner.

It does a LOT. It can even data log and display 02 Sensor data and LTFT & STFT data.

It cost me $140 (NEW) off the internet.

Remember,,,,most of the Aftermarket scanners will NOT display BODY Module DTCs

Bill

 

There may be more information about your car that you're not aware of. The owners manual is a wealth of information.

If you don't have one, you can download a copy...FREE...courtesy of Gene Culley of GMPARTSHOUSE (keyword)...