Question: Obd 1 scanner

[MIKE CULLEN]

What is the better scanner for my 1986 c4 with tpi motor,is there any advantage using the obd 1 scanner verses the paper clip method ?

 

[93Rubie]

Long story short, not only codes but LIVE engine data. Big help when diagnosing engine problems if you know what one is looking at.

 

[gmjunkie]

Long story short, not only codes but LIVE engine data. Big help when diagnosing engine problems if you know what one is looking at.

Lot more to it than pushing buttons and changing parts!~!!

 

[Hib Halverson]

While the "paper clip" method can command the ECM to display codes stored in memory, a true scan tester can do much more.

Key additional functions are:
1) Display the serial data stream in real time
2) Record data
3) Clear codes

IMO the best value in OBD scan testers is the Actron CP9190

For more info on scan testers for Corvettes see:
Corvette Action Center | Tech | A Dose of Digital: Part 2 - Diagnostic Tool Buyer's Guide - Page 1 of 4

 

[93Rubie]

Lot more to it than pushing buttons and changing parts!~!!

Indeed, contrary to popular belief that the scan tool "tells you" what is wrong. HAHAHAHA, its a tool like any other, only as good as the user or your Service Manual.....

Nissan's Consult 3 has a live engine data function that displays the current reading versus what it should be. Yeah, the values on the tool and the ones in the service manual in some cases are COMPLETELY different, WTH!?!?! Tools says injector pulse width should be around 2ms and in the manual says .8ms, huh??? Direct injection engine, FYI. Ran into that one today......:eyerole

To OP: I have this Nemisys OTC : Vehicle Scan Tool for my use at home, it does ECM, Airbag, ASR/ABS on my 93. Basically, the only thing it lacks is a oscilloscope, bi-directional controls, and re-programming capabilities. One would have to go high end for these. I picked up my lightly used updated thru 07 on ebay for about 400. It is 1200 new. Very nice tool. Has graphing capabilities for ABS and the like, sweet.

For your 86 you basically only have the ECM, ABS is stand alone and you cannot use a typical scan tool to talk to it. So the one Hib, recommends in his article would be more than enough for your purposes.

 

[Hib Halverson]

(snip)

For your 86 you basically only have the ECM, ABS is stand alone and you cannot use a typical scan tool to talk to it. So the one Hib, recommends in his article would be more than enough for your purposes.

While all C4 antilock systems have on-board diagnostic capability, with ABS-2 (86-89), there's a catch: its only "kinda-sorta on-board" because fault data cannot be read directly. A unique electronic device, the "ABS Tester" (PN J-35890), is required to translate fault data from '86-'89 EBCMs into information useable by those attempting to diagnose the system. Whoever at GM allowed Bosch to get away with this should have been fired-or at least transferred to the Cavalier trunk interior trim group. This gets worse. Today, J-35890s are virtually nonexistent so, unless you run across an ABS Tester on eBay Motors; in a practical sense, other than the "Antilock" warning light coming on when there's a problem, any on-board diagnostic ability ABS-2 has is useless. Nevertheless, there are diagnostic procedures DIYs can use to solve the most common problems and details of those procedures are in this article: Corvette Action Center | Tech | Stop to Match the Go - All About C4 Antilock Brakes and Traction Control

 

[muddywaters]

Lot more to it than pushing buttons and changing parts!~!!

Yeah Junk, Could you show us an exploded veiw of that???LOL Merry Christmas.......Everybody

 

[boomdriver]

While all C4 antilock systems have on-board diagnostic capability, with ABS-2 (86-89), there's a catch: its only "kinda-sorta on-board" because fault data cannot be read directly. A unique electronic device, the "ABS Tester" (PN J-35890), is required to translate fault data from '86-'89 EBCMs into information useable by those attempting to diagnose the system. Whoever at GM allowed Bosch to get away with this should have been fired-or at least transferred to the Cavalier trunk interior trim group. This gets worse. Today, J-35890s are virtually nonexistent so, unless you run across an ABS Tester on eBay Motors; in a practical sense, other than the "Antilock" warning light coming on when there's a problem, any on-board diagnostic ability ABS-2 has is useless. Nevertheless, there are diagnostic procedures DIYs can use to solve the most common problems and details of those procedures are in this article: Corvette Action Center | Tech | Stop to Match the Go - All About C4 Antilock Brakes and Traction Control

Even some of the common parts are task specific and unable to be utilized elsewhere...EX: wheel speed sensors. 99% only fit a specific wheel on a specific yr model. There are a few that cross over from an '87 left rear to a 91 right front or vice versa...(just an ex not accurate)
I think the ONLY part from those late 80s Bosch systems that were common to several yrs was the relay.
Whenever I see a salvage car....I grab all the wheel sensors and ABS stuff I can. Its becomong rare and what pieces that are available cost more than new.
Yep, whoever allowed Bosch to pawn this half-assed ABS off on Bowling Green should have been transfered to the Saturn line...where he could have eventually gone away quietly with as little gratitude as possible for his lifes work at GM.

I wonder if there is some other "stand alone" ABS system that could be adapted...the hyd lines are there...all it would need is power and electrical input..the modules and pumps do the rest. One of those things that I hope I never have to know about...