Help selecting a scan tool

[jrappl]

I'm looking for suggestions for the correct scanner to get.
Background is that I'm not a professional but do a lot of work on classics through current model cars. Currently I have stuff spanning from 1959 through 2014. I have a bunch in the 1990-1999 range including a 97 superduty 7.3 diesel and a 1994 Grand Prix OBD-1.

For OBD2 stuff I have been getting by with a small cheap scanner than can get codes and clear them. It works ok for what it does but no bi-directional support to test systems.

My current problem is with the 94 GP. It is labeled OBD1-Certified under the hood and has a 12 pin (only 3 used) ALDL connector. The ABS light is on. I think I have fixed the problem (brake lines) but the light is still on and from what I have read can only be reset with a scan tool.

I don't want to break the bank and also don't want to buy a tool just for the 94 GP. It's an oddball that has no way other than a scanner to get codes (no dash reporting)

So, I would like something used and cheap that can handle all systems on all computer cars from 80s until now. pre-obd, obd1 and obd2. Knowing that is not possible what are my options?

I was looking at used mt2500s but maybe that money would be better spent on something newer and more functional.

[Crusty]

I'm looking for suggestions for the correct scanner to get.
Background is that I'm not a professional but do a lot of work on classics through current model cars. Currently I have stuff spanning from 1959 through 2014. I have a bunch in the 1990-1999 range including a 97 superduty 7.3 diesel and a 1994 Grand Prix OBD-1.

For OBD2 stuff I have been getting by with a small cheap scanner than can get codes and clear them. It works ok for what it does but no bi-directional support to test systems.

My current problem is with the 94 GP. It is labeled OBD1-Certified under the hood and has a 12 pin (only 3 used) ALDL connector. The ABS light is on. I think I have fixed the problem (brake lines) but the light is still on and from what I have read can only be reset with a scan tool.

I don't want to break the bank and also don't want to buy a tool just for the 94 GP. It's an oddball that has no way other than a scanner to get codes (no dash reporting)

So, I would like something used and cheap that can handle all systems on all computer cars from 80s until now. pre-obd, obd1 and obd2. Knowing that is not possible what are my options?

I was looking at used mt2500s but maybe that money would be better spent on something newer and more functional.

Most GM vehicles just prior to 1996 (OBD-II) had the OBD-II connector but were still OBD-1 vehicles. Only the connector was new.
The older Solus-PRO which followed the original Solus. handles this quite well. Not the original Solus, and not the newer Solus-Ultra, nor the Solus-Edge.
Solus-PRO. Yes you need "personality keys" for some applications but it is a very capable tool for your description of the vehicles.
It is also capable of handling the newer vehicles, just not quite as fast, but still very capable.

[jrappl]

Yes, a lot of the pre-96 obd1 GMs had the 16 pin OBD2 connector but my GP does not. Are there adapters available for the Solus-Pro for my 12 pin ALDL?

[Witsend]

should do cars through 2012,but you cannot buy updates for solus pro, this one might not have European either, but price seems fair

http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/tls/5918205160.html

[Joe Rappa]

Any Snap-on scanner has the software to scan 1980 to Present vehicles. New ones don't ship with the adapters though, mostly because it would be a waste of money for most shops to purchase them. OBD1 adapters and cables are still available, but they are cost prohibitive for use on a single car.
It would be way cheaper to take to to a shop to have the codes pulled.
If you don't mind driving out to Stokesdale, stop over. I'll scan it for you.

Joe

[jrappl]

Thanks for the offer. Currently I do not have the car on the road and I don't think it will pass inspection with the ABS light on.

I understand there is not much call for the obd1 adapters but they really should be a cheap item - a little plastic, two connectors and a few wires. People are getting $20-$45 each for them on online auction sites so based on supply and demand the demand must be higher than we think.

[Witsend]

Old 94 Pontiac GP. If it were my own vehicle I would pull the ABS fuses , and make sure the brake lights work and the idiot bulb is off or out, and just go get my vehicle tag.
Here in Illinois they only test for engine codes on cars and light trucks 1996 and newer , and the state has shuttered most of the Chicago testing facilities.

[Joe Rappa]

Here in Illinois they only test for engine codes on cars and light trucks 1996 and newer ,

It's the same here in NC.

[Crusty]

Yes, a lot of the pre-96 obd1 GMs had the 16 pin OBD2 connector but my GP does not. Are there adapters available for the Solus-Pro for my 12 pin ALDL?

The Solus-PRO came with both OBD-1 connectors and OBD-II connectors, and auxiliary power cables, and several popular personality keys used to align various vehicles to the input cable into the scanner.
Newer scan tools don't require the personality keys, but, as Joe has pointed out, the OBD-1 cables are available but are not shipped with the scan tools so there are not many on the used tool market.
A complete Solus-PRO kit with the plastic case and all the cables and adaptors would fit your current need for a very reasonable price, AND it is also capable on newer vehicles from 1996 up to around 2014 or so.
Simply a very good piece of kit. The newer scan tools are also very capable, and what I use for newer vehicles, but the Solus-PRO spans the older vehicles nicely.
Sorry, mine is not for sale.

[jrappl]

I got my Solus Pro today and connected it to the 94 Grand Prix. I was able to pull codes for the ABS but when I tried to go to engine and pull codes I just got a communication error. I was able to go right back to ABS and pull codes and history again without errors.

Why can it communication to get the ABS codes but not engine codes? Is there some trick?

[Crusty]

I got my Solus Pro today and connected it to the 94 Grand Prix. I was able to pull codes for the ABS but when I tried to go to engine and pull codes I just got a communication error. I was able to go right back to ABS and pull codes and history again without errors.

Why can it communication to get the ABS codes but not engine codes? Is there some trick?

Did you Re-identify the vehicle and tell the scanner you wanted to go into engine data-?? Did the scanner ask for a personality key to be inserted to use the ABS-?? If it did call for a personality key for the BS you may just have to remove it to establish engine control module comm.
Check the wiring diagram for the data connector to see if it's got the proper voltages.

[jrappl]

I did not start over from boot but went back in the menus until I was able to select Engine... There are no keys for OBD1.

I'll re-indentify and go directly into engine and see what happens today. I did try several times but each time I selected and started with previous vehicle.

[Crusty]

Check if you can communicate with the airbag module.

The E BCM , the Air Bag module, and the ECM are on the same data circuit.
They connect at splice 237 and the ECM circuit goes thru the firewall C100 connector.

Also check that the MIL (check engine) light comes on with bulb check (key on engine off) and that it then goes out once the engine starts.

[jrappl]

I'll try the air bag module this weekend and do a more in depth test.

The Service Engine Light does work. The reason I wanted to check codes is because I have a high idle problem and the SEL has been coming on occasionally. It does not always come on but when it does it's during a time when the car is idling for a while (1-2 minutes). It stays on for a bit but goes off while driving or if I restart the car.

[Crusty]

I'll try the air bag module this weekend and do a more in depth test.

The Service Engine Light does work. The reason I wanted to check codes is because I have a high idle problem and the SEL has been coming on occasionally. It does not always come on but when it does it's during a time when the car is idling for a while (1-2 minutes). It stays on for a bit but goes off while driving or if I restart the car.

If you can communicate with the EBCM and the SIR, that leaves the splice and the firewall bulkhead connections.
Another possibility is someone may have "swapped" the ECM-?? Perhaps trying to establish comm, just with key on (not running), and lie to the scanner and identify the model year up or down a year or two. The "data request" from the scan tool may be different from year to year yet it may operate OK (Some programmers may know but we are never told any of that in SI)

If you do get to the point of checking the wiring circuit, MAKE SURE you disconnect the ECM, the EBCM, and the SIR and WAIT 10 minutes (to allow capacitors to self discharge). I have never had a situation where the Solus-PRO would not communicate with any vehicles of that vintage. Can't think of any newer vehicles either.