Code Scanner advice

Can any of you guys recommend a decent code scanner that will work for a '95 z28? I really dont want to spend too much on one, but I do need one to see what code(s) it's throwing.

I'm not aware of any code-only scanners. Only aware of various OBD-I scanners (read codes PLUS sensors, PCM parameters) that will work on your 95, with the correct adapter plug to connect the scanners 12-pin OBD-I pin to your 95's 16-pin OBD-II style plug. If it doeasn't come with an adapter plug, there is a photo on Shoebox's site showing how to jumper the pins from one connector to the other.

http://shbox.com/1/xraycable.jpg

Look around for a used Auto Xray OBD-I scanner. They had an adapter available. Or, if you have other vehicles that are OBD-II, get a scanner with both OBD-I and OBD-II capabilities. Expensive, but useful.

Finally, you can scan and datalog your 95 with the correct cable from AKM, a laptop, and free scan software like FreeScan or DataMaster.

http://www.akmcables.com/
http://www.andywhittaker.com/
http://www.ttspowersystems.com/

:thumb: Thanks Fred, now I got an idea of what I need. So, if I buy one and it doesnt come with the adapter cable, I just have to jumper it out like the link you posted? Cool, they had one earlier at the auto store, I might have to go get it, I'm just sick of wasting my time and money buying parts that dont fix the problem. Thanks again!:thumb:

Well, I got a got a scanner with both OBD-I and OBD-II, got it to work and check for codes, but there are none present?:confused: , car still runs like crap when its warmed up, hesitation mainly, new plugs and wires, new coil, fairly new cap and rotor. I dont know what to do now...

Your 95 won't set codes for misfires (added with 96 OBD-II) and there is nothing set for problems with the high voltage section of the Opti. There are no codes set by things like leaking or plugged injectors. Exhaust leaks and misfires can screw up the A/F ratio, and not set codes.

Now that you can scan it, you might want to read my online scanner guide, and see how some of the data matches up to what its supposed to be:

http://members.aol.com/InjuneerZZ/ScanMast.htm

Thanks, I looked at the link, alot of great info on there. Had a question about the knock reading. It says your supposed to read zero, but with the engine warmed up, I'm getting like 22*,(at idle) and with a quick rev on the throttle, it goes up to about 32*
I did have a couple things that I didnt know what they were...
LT Fuel TR CL, got a reading of 16
Lt Fuel TRM L, 118
Lt Fuel TRM R, 120

It leads me to think because of the high knock reading, it might be the knock sensor?

There's nothing wrong with your knock sensor.

You didn't read far enough. When you see 22* at idle and 32* when you blip the throttle, that is the ignition advance, not the knock retard. It may have a minus sign in front of it, because that is the advance referenced to TDC.

The Cell and long terms (BLM's) are also explained in the second 1/2 of the writeup. Cell 16 is where the long term fuel corrections are stored for idle. You want the long terms to be as close to 128 as possible, and very close to each other. "0" correction is 128. Your PCM is sensing a slight rich condition at idle, and pulling out 7.8% fuel on the drivers bank of the engine, and 6.3% on the passenger bank. Could be any number of things causing it, like high fuel pressure, miscalibrated or dirty MAF, saturated EVAP canister, EGR stuck open, etc.

I guess I was headed in the wrong direction, I cleaned my MAF today, saturated EVAP canister sounds right because it has been smelling like fuel at the back drivers side. I"ll probably check the canister next, and I got to find out how to check the EGR valve. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

I'm not aware of any code-only scanners. Only aware of various OBD-I scanners (read codes PLUS sensors, PCM parameters) that will work on your 95, with the correct adapter plug to connect the scanners 12-pin OBD-I pin to your 95's 16-pin OBD-II style plug. If it doeasn't come with an adapter plug, there is a photo on Shoebox's site showing how to jumper the pins from one connector to the other.

http://shbox.com/1/xraycable.jpg

Look around for a used Auto Xray OBD-I scanner. They had an adapter available. Or, if you have other vehicles that are OBD-II, get a scanner with both OBD-I and OBD-II capabilities. Expensive, but useful.

Finally, you can scan and datalog your 95 with the correct cable from AKM, a laptop, and free scan software like FreeScan or DataMaster.

http://www.akmcables.com/
http://www.andywhittaker.com/
http://www.ttspowersystems.com/

I have the AutoXray scanner and love it, but it is pretty spendy to use on only one vehicle. I have the 5000 model, which originally came with 4 or 5 cables. I've got 8 cables for different vehicle makes now, along with the PC Link cable to download updates. I've used it on many vehicles, and it's probably paid for itself just on my own problems I've run into over the last few years, when you consider what a shop charges just to hook one up to your car.

Auto Xray made a simple hand-held OBD-I scanner that cost maybe $150 when it was new, more than 10 years ago. You can pick up used or refurbished ones fairly cheap.

Auto Zone has a new one that's OBD I & II. Yellow industrial looking, reads and resets codes, but it's kind of expensive, ~$200.00.

Hi Guys I have a 1999 Stock Camaro 5.7L and was looking for some advice about these OBD-II Scanners. Down here in Australia we as you know have Holdens that have the same (I think) Motors LS1 in them, my question is can I get the Dealers to scan my car using there units or is the pin configuration different ??? :confused:
I found this info which put the doubt in my mind.
http://www.techedge.com.au/vehicle/aldl8192/8192hw.htm

Regards Graeme

The serial data, ground and +12V pins appear to be the same as the US. The unidentified/shaded pins are in different locations than shown on a US connector. Best/safest thing to do would simply be to contact the manufacturer of the scanner or software/cable you are looking at, and ask them about compatibility with an Australian ALDL connector.

An interesting note is that Actron and AutoXray, along with a few others, are now owned by the same company.

Down here in Australia I found out Holden (GM down under) do not have the software to read my 1999 Camaro's codes, found a company in Sydney who can do it but wants $150 AU to download the codes ! Bit rich I thought. As I can buy one on eBay for about the same price !.
Could someone tell me if these are any good or where I should be looking.
O yes I checked the plate in the engine bay and it is OBD11 compliant.

The eBay item is from the US, are these OK, I do not want to buy one that is rubbish or will not work as I think I would be stuck with it and no chance to return it:alert:.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200179981204&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010

item No- 200179981204

OR http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Universal-CAN-Bus-OBD2-OBD-II-Code-Scanner-Reader-NEW_W0QQitemZ190177510510QQihZ009QQcategoryZ43989Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Item number: 190177510510

Just found this one going for $90 US, after reading another thread which recommended them, what do you think would it be ok in my 99 Camaro ?
:rolleyes:

description: OBD II Autoscanner CP9175 by Actron OBD 2 Scan Tool The CP9175 is the Next Generation of Actron Scan Tools- designed by and built with Market Intelligence derived from you-the consumers. The new OBD II AutoScanner has more functions and benefits than other code readers currently available in the aftermarket. The new trilingual code reader from Actron is Internet updateable, displays freeze frame data and users can choose to view screen data in English, Spanish or French. OBD II AutoScanner CP9175 easily retrieves diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and code definitions from your vehicle's computer, leading you to the problem area. Use on all 1996 and newer OBD II compliant vehicles: North American, Asian & European. Features * Internet Updateable * Trilingual Display Screen (English, Spanish and French) * Displays freeze frame data (“snapshot” of the operating conditions at the time of the fault) * Review data off-vehicle * Battery Powered * Reads and erases Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and turns off check engine light * Retrieves all Generic OBD II trouble codes (P0), their definitions and pending codes * Enables user to quickly and easily link to their vehicle * Large easy-to-read LCD screen provides the Diagnostic Trouble Codes and their descriptions * Extremely user friendly menu provides: o Monitor Status and I/M Readiness to determine if vehicle is ready for an emissions test. I/M Readiness is an excellent function to use prior to having a vehicle inspected for compliance to a state emissions program o All emission testing facilities will fail a vehicle which has the "check engine light" lit at the time of the test o Alerts user to any pending Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), and reads Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) status o Menu-driven interface combined with "hot keys" for Read and Erase functions for quick and easy use * Includes CD software that contains an additional 3,000+ Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and their descriptions * Tool is updateable, accommodating future vehicles * Attached OBD II 16-pin connector cable provides both data and power connections * 8 ft. cable, rugged housing, oil and grease resistant * Assembled in the USA

Just found this one going for $90 US, after reading another thread which recommended them, what do you think would it be ok in my 99 Camaro ?
:rolleyes:

description: OBD II Autoscanner CP9175 by Actron OBD 2 Scan Tool The CP9175 is the Next Generation of Actron Scan Tools- designed by and built with Market Intelligence derived from you-the consumers. The new OBD II AutoScanner has more functions and benefits than other code readers currently available in the aftermarket. The new trilingual code reader from Actron is Internet updateable, displays freeze frame data and users can choose to view screen data in English, Spanish or French. OBD II AutoScanner CP9175 easily retrieves diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and code definitions from your vehicle's computer, leading you to the problem area. Use on all 1996 and newer OBD II compliant vehicles: North American, Asian & European. Features * Internet Updateable * Trilingual Display Screen (English, Spanish and French) * Displays freeze frame data (“snapshot” of the operating conditions at the time of the fault) * Review data off-vehicle * Battery Powered * Reads and erases Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and turns off check engine light * Retrieves all Generic OBD II trouble codes (P0), their definitions and pending codes * Enables user to quickly and easily link to their vehicle * Large easy-to-read LCD screen provides the Diagnostic Trouble Codes and their descriptions * Extremely user friendly menu provides: o Monitor Status and I/M Readiness to determine if vehicle is ready for an emissions test. I/M Readiness is an excellent function to use prior to having a vehicle inspected for compliance to a state emissions program o All emission testing facilities will fail a vehicle which has the "check engine light" lit at the time of the test o Alerts user to any pending Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), and reads Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) status o Menu-driven interface combined with "hot keys" for Read and Erase functions for quick and easy use * Includes CD software that contains an additional 3,000+ Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and their descriptions * Tool is updateable, accommodating future vehicles * Attached OBD II 16-pin connector cable provides both data and power connections * 8 ft. cable, rugged housing, oil and grease resistant * Assembled in the USA


Work's great if you are pulling codes & erasing them. I wish, though
that when I bought it I had of gone a step further to a CP9145 or CP9150 as the CP9175 will not give live sensor data - I.E. as you drive down the road. :(

If new, $ 90 bux seems cheap - I think I paid around $ 170.00 at Auto Zone a year or two ago.

Britt

Damn I thought I jumped in too quick, there is a CP9145 at $63 Dollars but it has 1 Day to go on eBay. O well can not bitch about it as I could not get one over here (Australia) for this car, and if I had not seen a thread on them on CamaroZ28.com I would still be scratching my head.;)
Now waiting for it to come from the States, Thanks will let you all know how it works out for me.

Regards Graeme.