How to check codes: 1994 OBD1.5

[tractorman]

I've just finished some major repairs on the 3100 in my '94 Corsica. Details here:

http://www.60degreev6.com/showthread.php?t=38907

I've driven the car for a couple days with no problems whatsoever... until this morning. I was driving down the freeway at 71mph with the cruise control on. The check engine light came on for about 20 seconds, then went off. The engine never stumbled or showed any sign that anything was amiss other than the light. Now the car still runs fine, and the light is gone.

So I'd like to know what's going on. I've read on this site that this OBD1.5 essentially has obd2 wiring with obd1 software. I've also been told that the old paper clip method won't work for checking codes... and neither will most obd2 code readers (please correct me if I'm wrong on either count). So how does one go about reading codes on this vehicle? Any particular (cheap!) readers that ya'll would reccommend?

Also, since the code is no longer active... will there be any stored code to read? Or is it just gone?

[IsaacHayes]

Go to www.tunerpro.net and download Tunerpro RT. Then get the $1FA .ADS file. Use an ALDL cable and you should be good to go.

In other news that sounds like your EGR valve. Take it off, and clean it and the port where the gases go in the plenum. If it's sticking open then it may be why you have carbon all in your heads possibly.... ?

And some vehicles that are 94/95 flash OBD1 like ours has an OBD2 connector, but ours is not the case. We still have the 12 pin OBD1 connector. Just 2 wires, ground and serial data. You can't use the paper clip trick either.

The code will be stored. Autozone has a crappy scanner and they will either not be able to interface with ours or if they can they will say they can only read codes if the SES light is on. They can't pull stored codes. Snap on scanner can pull stored codes though.

[94GPGTP]

im searching for ALDL cables and found one for 69.95 through ebay.. is that good pricing??

[IsaacHayes]

You can get them cheaper, some are not as good as others but most of the time they work but some laptops or USB adapters will not work with them.

You can even get kits to build your own for $35 if you can solder. Search around I came up with at least 5 sites. Or build your own:

I just ordered the stuff to make 2 cables from www.jameco.com using the above diagram which I modified to add an activity LED. I will build and test soon. That one uses a 9V battery so no issues with stealing power from the serial port so it should work with ALL laptops, and since it doesn't use the 12v cig plug that's free for powering the laptop.

[94GPGTP]

You can get them cheaper, some are not as good as others but most of the time they work but some laptops or USB adapters will not work with them.

You can even get kits to build your own for $35 if you can solder. Search around I came up with at least 5 sites. Or build your own:

I just ordered the stuff to make 2 cables from www.jameco.com using the above diagram which I modified to add an activity LED. I will build and test soon. That one uses a 9V battery so no issues with stealing power from the serial port so it should work with ALL laptops, and since it doesn't use the 12v cig plug that's free for powering the laptop.

Do you want to make me one?? Ill pay you no problem!!

[IsaacHayes]

I'll be selling one I'll probably just put it up for sale in a thread and say first one who say's I'll take it gets it. I don't have any plans to make more.

[94GPGTP]

LMK thanks