Diagnostics scanning for Dummies

[97moneypit]

As a newbie to 'vette ownership, and for that matter to performance cars, I have another stupid question.
How do I learn about diagnostics scanning for my 1997? What hardware/software/cableing is required? I have read some posts about a Tech2 scanner.
But I am not sure where to begin to find out about this aspect of car maintenance, so I thought I would just throw the question out into the forum.
Thanks for any help you can give me.....

Kirk

 

[69MyWay]

Kirk, I have a OBDII scanner that you are welcome to use if you ever have a problem.

I purchased mine from www.actron.com The Kal brand is the most sophisticated and will do the most for you.

Plan on dropping about $400 and 20 minutes reading the destructions.

You will at a minimum appreciate being able to clear your codes on your own without going to the dealer.

The Tech II etc. units are high dollar, and more than what the average shade tree fellow needs.

 

[97moneypit]

Kirk, I have a OBDII scanner that you are welcome to use if you ever have a problem.

I purchased mine from www.actron.com The Kal brand is the most sophisticated and will do the most for you.

Plan on dropping about $400 and 20 minutes reading the destructions.

You will at a minimum appreciate being able to clear your codes on your own without going to the dealer.

The Tech II etc. units are high dollar, and more than what the average shade tree fellow needs.

Thanks for the offer Chris. I'd really like to try it out and see if it's something worth spending the money on with my limited experience.
Once I have a scanner though, what the heck do I do with it? What kinds of information does scanning provide? Anything about why at idle the engine misses every once in a while?

 

[69MyWay]

You know, our C5 has a rough idle from time to time. The dealer told us it was from carbon build up, and the fact she does not run it hard enough and long enough (one mile round trip from work for her).

The scanner will tell you a lot of things including real time data from the sensors, codes, record data, and clear data as well as code look up.

We need to get together some time soon and give it a whirl.

What do you do with it other wise? Well, keep it in a safe place until that day the check engine light comes on!