Scan Tool

92 PA Base

I'm just looking for suggestions and advice on owning my own scan tool. If any of you automotive experts can give me your honest opinion, I would greatly appreciated.

Is it worth owning a scan tool as simply being the owner of a vehicle?

Can you suggest a quality, inexpensive, spot-on, reputable scan tool for my year and newer vehicles?

This current 92 PA that I own will be the last vehicle of its age that I will ever again purchase. Next vehicle will be at least a 98 and newer.

I'm constantly being told that having one's own scan tool can really save money and cut down on frequent, unnecessary trips to the shop - especially for the not so serious jobs. I'm certainly not saying auto mechanics aren't worth there pay - definitely the honest one's are.

I'm certain most of you experts who reply daily to countless threads, own a scan tool of some sort for your personal vehicles.

Thanks for your time and words of wisdom.

I have a basic Actron 9145, does both obd1 and 11.

Well, it depends on what you want...

You want more than just a code reader....you want live data...

If you have tablet or smart phone, I have told you what I would get in the past.....

But from your post, you want a bidirectional scanner.....which is tres expensive.....have you tried to find a Tech I on EBay? Have seen them in the 250-1000 range....

But is you want to be able to do OBD II in the future, then it's my namesake you need...there are some crazy prices out there on Tech II's....but there are some problems....have heard a lot about Chinese copies out there, and they don't seem to be reliable...so buyer beware....

I used a Innova 3140d to attempt live data reading. It populated 32 readings. The first was Code 21 Throttle Body Sensor (TPS) voltage too high.

I proceeded to the site but the information is limited. Any one knows how to repair this?

Thanks in advance.

TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) should be checked and set by DC voltmeter. The KOEO closed throttle voltage should be less than 0.44 VDC between the blue and black wires. The WOT voltage should be anything over 4.0 VDC, and the voltage should increment smoothly as the throttle is slowly opened.

Incidentally, the Code Reader on this vintage vehicle is a paper clip jumpering the contacts in cavities A and B of the ALDL with the ignition on and engine off. Data will not be available in this mode, but all stored codes will be displayed via the "Check Engine" lamp. The stored codes can be cleared by disconnecting battery power for about five minutes - Usually just long enough to thoroughly clean the batter connections.

There were no 'Service Engine Soon' codes. While I was using the Innova 3140b in live data reading mode the 21 Throttle Body appeared on the scanner's screen. I'm wondering if I need to make some adjustments or replace the throttle body sensor.

The engine is running a little rough with a slight misfire and it always bogs down after about one hour of consistent driving. I recently change the MAF sensor and I don't want to start throwing parts at it until I'm able to pinpoint the issue. That's why I'm using a scanner.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and thanks for your input.

If there was no stored error code retrievable in the normal ECM diagnostic mode, there may have been a code in memory (from the last 50 start-run cycles in an older ECM).

Check the TPS voltage as suggested, and operate the throttle through the range to determine if the signal is steady and reliable, not dropping off at any points of travel.

Not wanting to just throw parts at it is sensible. It would be pretty silly to bolt on a new TB only to discover that the electrical connector for the TPS had a problem. Diagnose fully before replacing anything.