Steve Scheidig

I've got a 90 N/A Vert. Had it only a short time and now my check engine light is coming on and I cant find a code reader. I've checked with Kragen, AutoZone, and Napa. Nobody seams to have code readers for vehicles older than a 96.

The check engine light "was" intermitant, but now its on all the time. Does anyone know what i should check before having to take it to a shop for diagnostic work? Or, any idea where i may find a code reader?

trainwreck517

iTrader: (1)

Any thing can be found with searching.

http://www.1300cc.com/howto/how2/codes.html

SpeedFreak03

The reason nobody has a code reader is because there isn't one for non-OBDII cars (cars made before 95-96 don't have ODBII). Anyway follow these instructions to get your codes, no shops or code readers needed! http://www.1300cc.com/howto/how2/codes.html

mcnannay

Not true, there are code readers for OBD-I systems, there are plenty of them out there, we have one where i work that people can use for free (at a Schucks) so im suprised that Kragen doesn't have one.

SpeedFreak03

Yea but OBD1 isn't universal like OBD2 (there is no standard) so how would that work for all OBD1 cars?

theloudroom

Before OBDII all systems used manufacturer specific interfaces. This meant that you needed a ford scan tool, a chevy scan tool, etc. Many manfacturers also included a way for the ECU to blink out codes on the "check engine" light that makes things easier, if you don't have the tool, but the interfaces have been there for quite a while now, just not standardized.

For example:
My '87 Buick lesabre uses ALDL. One of my projects right now is interfacing a laptop with the aldl port to be able to read out things like engine rpm, etc.

SpeedFreak03

I thought I read that somewhere...intresting. So then how does mcnannay's shop have one that works for all? LOL I'm confused!

theloudroom

Most cheap ($130) readers are only OBDII, more expensive readers, like an acutal shop would have can typically read more types ECUs.

Here's an example of a more expensive unit that can read codes from some pre-OBDII vehicles:

http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDeta...egoryCode=3389

SpeedFreak03

Oh I see! Thanks for the info!

gambone

iTrader: (3)

check out obd-2.com OBDII interface was 187$ down load the program, best buy for the buck any where on this planit, they got for the big three OBDI about the same price per uint, nothing for Japs car OBDI, only a few scaners can do and then it's only a few of the Jap car, Master Teah is the Cadolac of scaners and it is limeted on Jap OBDI cars. O I do this full time for a liven

Steve Scheidig

Cool, i'll check and see if i can figure out what codes i get. Hopefully just one comes up.

DJW3

I'd go with trainwreck517's advice Dont listen to these RICH GUYS.
Be serious, how hard is it to figure out the most simple form of communication,"Morse Code". You dont have to be frugal to attract attention to your FC. All you have to do is give it a little bit of attention every now and then and she'll purr like a kitten for you, and roar like a lion to all those damn Honda Freaks.