'94 LaSabre OBD I Diagnostic Connection

I recently got my 1994 LaSabre and experienced what seems to be a common problem. It stalls while coasting down hill without warning. Every now and then the check engine light comes on and then off again indefinely.

When I try to use the code reader at the parts stores, they get an error message "check wiring connections & try again". It seems that they do not have the correct interface cable that will allow the scanner to read my OBD I system, which has a OBD II shaped connector. I'm told typically the OBD I systems use a rectangular 12 pin connector. (Haynes manual says '94s might have either 12 or 16 pin connector)

I want to see if there are any diagnostic codes stored. Can someone tell me if there is a way to read the codes manually by jumping terminals. The Haynes manual I have tells me to jump terminals 5 & 6. When I look at my 16 pin connection, terminal 6 is vacant. (No wire installed) A buddy of mine has the same '94 LaSabre and his is wired the same.

Find the CAN Protocol pins numbered below and compare to your connector, then short data to ground. If your here your fans turn on, you have the right combination.


CAN Protocol Pins
If pins 5, 6, 14 and 16 are populated, the vehicle supports CAN.

Pin # Description
5 Ground
6 Data
14 Data
16 Power

ISO and KWP Protocol Pins
If pins 5, 7, 16 and, optionally, 15 are populated, the vehicle supports ISO or KWP.
Pin # Description
5 Ground
7 Data
15 Data (this pin is optional and may not be present)
16 Power

VPW Protocol Pins
If pins 2, 5 and 16 are populated, the vehicle supports VPW.
Pin # Description
2 Data
5 Ground
16 Power

PWM Protocol Pins
If pins 2, 5, 10 and 16 are populated, the vehicle supports PWM.
Pin # Description
2 Data
5 Ground
10 Data
16 Power

Thanks HotZ I sure would like to give it a try. However, none of the combinations you mentioned seem to fit.

There are six wires on my 16 pin connector. One at 4, 5, 8, 9, 14, & 16

If I cross the wrong wires can I do damage?

BL

Would you please post should this work, I have the same connector on a 94 Le Sabre.

1994 vehicles do not have CAN protocol. It's still a serial protocol @ 8192bps, despite the fact that they already use the 16pin connector. It's sometimes referred to as OBD 1.5.

The following two threads contain lots of information:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=307153
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=436512

for more info: goto www.batauto.com & goto the trouble codes list for a better understanding...

OK, so I guess we now have you all confused! I lost track of the first post and assumed the car was a 95. If you have the bastard OBD(1.5). Short pins 4&9 or 5&9 and see if it spits out the codes. You can not harm anything shorting data to ground. I did this about 8 years ago and it worked, however after I got a used Snap-On MT-2500 scanner, I had no reason to try it anymore.

Thanks for all the advise Folks:

All my problems were solved after installing a new Engine Control Module (ECM). Obviously my old ECM would not communicate with the code reader. Also, I no longer have the stalling problem.