Author Topic: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)  (Read 4971 times)

Offline p7387

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diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
« 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

Offline zieg85

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Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
« Reply #1 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
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
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Offline p7387

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Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
« Reply #2 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?

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2012, 05:26:28 PM »
Do you have a smart phone or an iPad?
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline p7387

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Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2012, 05:48:54 PM »
unfortunately no, is there an "app" for that?

Offline p7387

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Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
« Reply #5 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?

Online bd

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Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2012, 08:13:01 PM »
Image courtesy VileZambonie...
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
« Reply #7 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.

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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Captkaos

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Re: diagnostic / troubleshooting code readers (worth it?)
« Reply #8 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...