73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Electrical => Topic started by: p7387 on September 30, 2012, 01:07:37 pm

Title: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
Post by: p7387 on September 30, 2012, 01:07:37 pm

any opinions on diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers, are they worth getting?
if so any good particular ones?

my application is a 87 r10 305 tbi

thanks

Title: Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
Post by: zieg85 on September 30, 2012, 01:11:15 pm

IMO for the OBD 1, jump your terminals and read the codes.  Once you know the codes with the internet and different forums I have found all the answers so far.  My $.02

Title: Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
Post by: p7387 on September 30, 2012, 01:50:10 pm

thanks zeig

im still on the learning curve. i have the general chevy truck/gmc manual that covers the wide range of years up to 87, in there i see the section that relates the number of times/patterns of the check engine light blinking to certain codes. is that what you are referring to?

Title: Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
Post by: VileZambonie on September 30, 2012, 05:26:28 pm

Do you have a smart phone or an iPad?

Title: Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
Post by: p7387 on October 02, 2012, 05:48:54 pm

unfortunately no, is there an "app" for that?

Title: Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
Post by: p7387 on October 02, 2012, 07:04:08 pm

is the diagnostic connector that plug that looks sort of like a old parallel printer plug under the dash on the drivers side? and are the A/B terminals clearly marked to avoid jumping the wrong terminals?

Title: Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
Post by: bd on October 02, 2012, 08:13:01 pm

Image courtesy VileZambonie...

Title: Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
Post by: VileZambonie on October 03, 2012, 08:11:40 pm

Yes there is an app for that. In fact anyone who has an iPad or smart phone be it iPhone or Android you have a plethora of choices starting at $15 to have scan tool capability.

Title: Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
Post by: Captkaos on October 12, 2012, 10:26:17 am

For an 87, get a used Tech 1 or use winALDL and a obd cable..  Or if you just want the codes, a paper clip plugged in to the A an B terminal of the ALDL...