Code Reader

    Well my 85 throws the engine light after about 30 min of driving? Usually i drive for about 15-20 at a time and want to go to the beach this weekend and want to make sure she'll make it, any clue how much it would cost have a shop hook it up and check the code?

Most shops would want to sell some diagnostic time to actually determine what the fault is. The code won't tell what's broke, it will just tell what circuits, systems, or electical componets have a failure so the tech has a place to start testing.

I know Autozone will do code reads for free, and then upsell some part by shot-gunning the diagnoses in the lot with no testing. Or using a silver bullet, as it is called in the industry. That is where a pattern failure is so well known that a certain code seen on a certain model is a slam dunk for what part has failed. For instance, GM 3100 V6 from 96 to 99 or so. P0300 set at idle, low RPM. Injectors are most likely plugging up and aren't delivering enough volume at idle causing a slight miss.

Hell, I've done just code reads for free on customers cars. 5pm, they need the car, I'll hook up and tell them. Ok, it's just a simple EVAP code, won't cause you to break down, let's set a time to diagnose the problem. If it reads as something serious, then lay the car up and tell them driving it could ruin it.

In reality, it could be free, all the way up to a hundred or so bucks. It just depends on the shops policy for diagnosing CE lights and the cause of the light.

Use the paper clip in the A+B connectors and watch the check engine light.

Im pretty sure ive tried the paper clip method and nothing but if you want to explain it again its worth a shot...And im almost positive that the auto part stores only have the obd2 when i need obd1??

A and B are the upper right corner.

Flash 12 three times, then the code listed will flash three times. 12 is no rpm signal, which makes sense since the car isn't running.

Google the code, you'll have a general idea if it's a issue.

i feel stupid in asking this but will an actual # flash or a certain amount of flashes? and wasnt there a diagram for this?
Thanks

It will flash each code three times. Starting with 12.
12 would be 1 flash  [short pause] 2 flashes [longer pause] 1flash [short pause]......And so on. Each set of flashes betwwen pauses is a digit in a two digit code. Count the flashes. write the codes down. Let us know. 

I feel so dumb but that confuses the hell out of me, i got some coupon in the mail for like a free engine code read or whatever at meinike so mayb ill use that, doubt its for a car this old tho.

I can confuse a person easy. Its my bad.
If you want to try it maybe this is easier explaination
Jump the two terminals on the ALDL connector. Its by the right side of the column lower part of the dash.
Turn the key on but do not start it. just turn the key enough to turn on the dash lights.
Watch the check engine light
Count the flashes in between all the pauses.
(1 flash, pause, 2 flash, pause = code 12)
You will see that happen 3 times. Then if a code is stored you will see that in the same manner.
Example code 34
flash,flash,flash,pause,flash,flash,flash,flash, longer pause,flash,flash,flash,pauseflash,flash,flash,flash,longer pause,flash,flash,flash,pause,flash,flash,flash,flash,longer pause and on to the next code or back to 12 where it starts again.

that connector thing is a rectangle with a lot of holes just under the dash in the drivers compartment just to the right of the steering column.  if you don't have a manual (heynes, chilton,ect) get one.  it shows what it looks like and how to do it.  paper clip works great.  i keep one in the console just for this reason.  no need for a $10,000 code reader when a paper clip (or any small diameter wire that you can bend to fit the slots) will work.  believe the imputs are labled via letters so you can't miss it.  mike did a good job explaining.  have some faith.  if you are not going to work on the car, just take it to the shop and let them do their job.  prolly cost a lot more than if you use a paper clip and its something very easy though.

Well, i really dont want to take it to a shop, im a kid, so dont really know all that much although i have come a long way since last yr, ill try it, im pretty sure ive tried it before but that diagram helps alot thanks!

quote:

ORIGINAL: ohiocopper12
........  no need for a $10,000 code reader when a paper clip (or any small diameter wire that you can bend to fit the slots) will work....

Hey! you got a problem with me cause I got a $10,000 scanner??? (Scanner I said. Code readers do that, just read codes. Scanner shows me the operation of sensors and switches and test) It may have cost more than a paper clip and can not fit in my glove box but it has gone as far as to tell me stuff like the time a shift soleniod set a code and that the guy was speeding when it happened. (I could have gotten him in trouble withhis boss) And code readers are cheap. Start around $25. Ebay always has them for sale on there.

For obd1?

quote:

ORIGINAL: MadMikeZ28

but it has gone as far as to tell me stuff like the time a shift soleniod set a code and that the guy was speeding when it happened. (I could have gotten him in trouble withhis boss)

Ahhhh, I love freeze frame data. I just did some tune up work on a Grand Am. Few days later the girl comes by complaining the CE light is on, must be because of my work. Ok, free check, who knows. Maybe I did make a mistake, it happens.

114 mph with a P0300....Ahhhh, hun, you might want to stay off the speed limiter with that poor Grand Am.....

Suddenly she remembered she was on the Interstate (ya right, I system is a ways away) and was in fast moving heavy traffic (ya right, I system traffic stay above 100) and it did start to cut out when she was going that fast.

Gotta love it.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=EQU&MfrPartNumber=3123&CategoryCode=3389
Here is one but really a paper clip works well and is cheaper. But if you look at the link tou will see a place where it says download manual. Do that and maybe it will give you an idea of what it does and how to read the flashes.

so all im doin is turning the car on, not engine just electronics and putting a clip in a/b and watch?

Ya, Key on, Engine off.

Count flashes.

k ill try that

well i did it, got the light went on, pause for a few seconds, then went on pause two faster flashes then stop, like 15 sec later repeated...

It will repeat each code 3 times THEN move on to the next code and repeat it 3 times. So if it came on and flashed ones, pause , flash two times that is the code 12. Watch it do that 3 times total. Then watch for a different set of flashes. If it flashes the 12 again then there are no codes. It is just starting over. So keep watching and counting.

so it will do code 12, 3 times, ill go check

thats what i get after the 3rd set of 12, looks the same, I KNOW the code went on a few weeks ago but i dunno.

**** cant post it here
heres the vid
http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a186/Celticsfan34/?action=view&current=0525072058.flv]

Well that was code 12 in the video. And it did that 3 times then continued with code 12 the fourth time? If the car still runs fine then drive it till you can have a shop hook a scanner to it. Use your mineke coupon. If they scan it and dont find anything tell them it comes on while driving. They may try to figure it out to upsell. When they figure it out thats when you leave

you think they will have the obd1? I figured that they only had newer, i probably should just call that would solve it...