ECM for 94 GA SE 3.1

[doobiess]

Ive heard that i need a OBD 1.5 code reader for my car? Ive looked all over the internet for one.. and no luck. Anyone know a site or a place to buy one?

[rixGAphx]

OBD1.5 isn't a real name, there was no such thing.
It's slang for the GM 'transition' between OBDI and OBDII.

The Feds mandated that beginning in '96 all vehicles would have OBDII.
Prior to that, each manufacturer had its own version of OBDI.

Starting in'94, GM (and prolly other mfr's.) began adapting to the more complex system of OBDII, but there weren't yet any official standards for the connectors and codes.

GM had a proprietary code reader for these cars. It appears that no aftermarket company has seen fit to make a scanner that fits the uniqueness of these ECM's.

If your connector can't be read by the old OBDI 'jumper wire', I don't know what to tell you other than find a shop (or dealer :eek: ) to read your codes.

BTW, for both (all three?) systems, scanning is NOT a vehicle or engine diagnostic.
It is a federally-mandated EMISSIONS diagnostic.
Reading a code is helpful, but lot's of people have erroneously relied on scanning to tell them which part to replace.

Even if you can't retrieve codes, you can still do a LOT of diagnosis.

Good luck.
-Rick

[95-GT]

Ummm, jumper wire? All you need is a ODB-1 GM scan tool and it can read the codes.

[doobiess]

Im told 93 was the last year they used a OBD 1 system.. then for the next couple years they were unique to thier years.. so getting a code reader is VERY hard to find.. so basically can use the ECM for finding out whats wrong..

[95-GT]

Any ODB-1 GM Scan tool will work, along with ANY Tech 2 scan tool.

[doobiess]

So your saying if i go out and buy an OBD 1 CODE reader im ok?

[doobiess]

But on my car the paper clip trick doesnt work since in the port next to the very top right ... has nothing...?

[doobiess]

Well i bought a an ODB code reader today... and well thx.. it dont work.. it says right there in the Haynes manual.. for the 94-94 3.1 I must visit the GM dealer for the proper scanner... u cant buy em...

[95-GT]

And where did you get this at? I have used NUMERIOUS GM ODB-1 scan tools without problems, along with data logging tools.

[doobiess]

It appears i need a 16 pin OBD 1 Reader for my car... it has a OBD 2 port but OBD1 codes.. so the pins are all in different spots

[johnnyc]

doobiess, did you ever get your codes read?, did you find a reader? as i to live in canada, and i dont like spending $80.00 for 5mins work when i could buy a reader for a little bit more, and have it just in case, my car has the same connector as you just wondering if you found out a way to read the codes, btw, does disconnecting the battery for 15mins clear the codes on our cars? thanks johnny

[doobiess]

hey there.... well yes i did have em read it cost me 40$ and my code was a egr.. and already fixed the prob..but the guy at the shop said at one point i had a faulty relay code.. but that was before i bought it so i assume you need the computer to remove em... and as for you got a reader... i know you cant get it any canadian tire you need a 300$ us thing.. and well i will just pay the 40$ to have it done...but i dont think dissconnecting the battery will do anything since ive had it off longer than that

[johnnyc]

thanks for the reply, i guess it is off to the dealer or some other cheaper garage,(time to call around) $40 aint too bad ,thanks anyway.

[doobiess]

sure thing... ya as for getting it checked... im sure you could find it cheaper... i just didnt want to look around and wait to find a cheaper price.. at the time $ didnt matter