I just bought an Actron code scanner off ebay...


All the thing does is turn my friggin fans on...


What da hell?

 

I am betting you bought a little plastic doo hickey that is nothing but a glorified paper clip.
You could use that on an older GM PCM such as an 88 IROC or similar, it will flash the Check engine light and you would count the flashes to read what code , if any, the PCM had stored.
94 and up you have to have an actual Scan tool to pull any codes.
I have an actron scan tool but it cost over 400 bucks with all the cables and software for OBD1 and OBD2.
95 cars had an OBD1 PCM with an OBD2 connector, keep this in mind if you learn enough to start helping your fellow Fbody owners out.

That "scanner" you bought will do nothing but turn the fans on.
Sorry

 

Funny it says it works for 94's

 

and I think it will work for some 94 GM products......just not an Fbody.
Don,t feel too bad.....I did the same thing when I first started wanting to get into reading the PCM.

 

no no, really it says it works for 94 down OBD1 F-bodies....

 

Ok, is it small, light, black and I think it has like a green light on it?
it plugs into the ALDL connector but has no cables or anything?

 

Its as you describe, minus any lights..I believe you in saying it doesnt work, but the manual says it should for a 94 5.7L firebird...I dont get why the hell it doesnt?? Waste of 20 bucks

 

It doesn't work because it is not meant to on an F-body. There is nothing wrong, you just got scammed into thinking you were getting something it wasnt. The guy selling it doesn't know what he was talking about. I would send it back to him and demand your money back, then let him know he's an idiot and doesn't know anytning about his own scam he's tryin to pull (after you get your money back.) Seriously, you can do the same thing with a paper clip. The service manuals actually say you are supposed to use a paper clip or jumper wire in the cars that it actually works in. No need for any "scanner".

 

this sucks