Hello everyone. I have a 1994 Z28 and am trying to find out which scanner is a good one to buy so I can see for myself what is wrong instead of taking it to the shop for answers. I live in Europe and choice of shops are very limited. I just had my Opti (yeah I know about all the bad things mentioned about the Opti) changed Nov 2005. Last month I found out it needs to be changed again. I find it hard to believe after 13 months. So before I pay someone to do this I just need to verify it really is the Opti. Anyone know which scanner I need? Thanks!! My car at: http://www.camaro.fiberworld.nl

 

You need an OBDI scan tool. Are Actron and Autoxray available where you live?

 

That's a beautiful car!

Why do they say you need a new Opti?

 

If you have a laptop, there is free software available, FreeScan maybe. All that's necessary is a cable. Do a search. It's been posted fairly recently. If you can't find it, I'll help. I've never used it, but I'm considering it. All I need is a laptop, the software and the adaptor cable.

 

I am not sure yet. If not then I can order it from the US with my military mail box. But even if it is here, it will probably be double the price in the US. I just did a search on the internet for pages in the Netherlands. Nothing. Thanks for the info. I wasnt sure if it was an ODBI or ODBII. How could you tell which one it needs?

 

Up to 1995, they are OBD1, 1996 and newer is OBD2.

 

THanks!! I dont know why they say that. I was not there when they tested the car. I am not even sure if they have the right software and scanner to get a proper reading from the error. I need a second opinion. The car starts hard like its not getting fuel or spark. Then eventually it starts. The fans (radiator it sounds like) are running fast also and the service engine light is on. While on the highway recently, I tried to pick up speed a little faster to pass a car and the engine sounded like it knocked. So fuel or spark? I dont know. Any ideas?

 

That sounds like a fried PCM. The LT1 PCM, if it gets corrupted will turn the fans on high speed without the engine running and the check engine light will be on. It will also run poorly because it is running in open loop mode at this point.

 

Hi Bill, I am interested in the software. I have a laptop, so only need the software and cable. Its possible to even build the cable if I have a schematic of the pin layout. Or if its possible to buy it, then I would buy it. I just did a search for the software and on this site http://www.aldlcable.com/ there is alot of information. I will try this first. I have to buy a cable after verifying if its a 12 pin or 16 pin. Will check it tomorrow. Has your car really been sitting for 6 years?

 

Could be but I dont remember if the fans came on before I started it. I dont think so. Will the scanner say this if that is the problem? Any idea what a PCM costs? I will start it again tomorrow to see what happens. Right now its 10:30 pm here in the Netherlands. Time for bed. Early day tomorrow.

 

If the PCM is corrupted this way, you will not get any response from vehicle through the OBD1 connector. If you connect a scan-tool it will say "no response from vehicle" or something similar to this.

You can find used PCMs for $50-$100.

 

Hi Bill, I bought the cable from the site I told you about. I also downloaded the software from TTS Datamaster. Its taken some time to arrange this so I hope it works. Tomorrow I will connect it to the laptop to see what it does. Wish me luck.

 

Hi Vgeglia, I bought the cable and connected it to the laptop using the TTS datamaster software, and it connected and now I have the information on my laptop from this software. So is this good enough to rule out the PCM if this worked?