1992 LeSabre Diagnostics

[vrmlbasic]

Has anyone had any luck with getting any PC-based scan tools to work on the _vintage_ 92 lesabre?

I have the data cable, and the laptop receives the data, but none of the programs that I have will work with the data. Some are not for the 160 baud serial output, and those that are (winaldl) want to know some numeric ECM identification number, which I do not know, and the sample engine/application/years for each number do not match the lesabre.

I've never heard of a 3.3, 4.3, or 5.0 litre lesabre, what about you guys? (sarcasm)

There has to be a way here, and a real diagnosis would help me greatly in resurrecting my ride. I know someone has to know how to get this to work.

Thanks,
--Kevin

[HotZ28]

Click Here for ECM & Prom ID's
Click Here for ALDL Cables & software info

[richtazz]

I've never heard of a 3.3, 4.3, or 5.0 litre lesabre, what about you guys? (sarcasm)

The 5.0 (Olds 307ci) was only offered in the rear wheel drive LeSabre's of 85-back. The 4.3 was a rare diesel engine option in the 85 P-Ave, and the 3.3 was never offered in a LeSabre (although there was a 3.0 offered in the FWD P-AVE in 85-86 and the LeSabre in 86 only). The only engine available in a LeSabre from 87-on was the non-supercharged 3.8/3800series (depending on year).

In the case of your 92 LeSabre, the only engine available was the 3800-L.

[buickmastermind]

Try Freescan. I've gotten it to work on a 92 regal vin c 3800, though it can't read all the data (the common stuff shows - speed, temp, RPM, volts). the data streams are available from certain sites, so you *could* write your own software. I also happen to have the data streams on a folder on my desktop. Unfortunately I don't know much about programming. I've been trying to figure out why my '86 gets 22 mpg and no spark advance, no SES...

Here is a link to some that might help.
http://www.aldlcable.com/

[vrmlbasic]

I know that the regal is smaller than the LeSabre, but 22 is not that bad for a man's sedan. 22 is also the record for my truck (while my lesabre-resurrection-funds "accrue"), but then again, no one expects the Sport Trac to get killer gas mileage. Her forte is elsewhere.

I don't really know the mileage for my LeSabre, before she got smashed, because the speedometer chooses to be off by leaps and bounds...so chopping a few mpg off of my odometer findings gives me around 19-22.

Still working on the diagnostic front...the Freescan version I had crashed after blabbing some junk about not being able to detect anything Lotus-protocol related...but now armed with some newer versions, I'll go do battle with the stupid non-standardized ALDL system tomorrow.

[vrmlbasic]

I looked on the ECM for any sort of number, and all I found was a tag stating that the ECM was remanufactured....so the odds of my PCM erroneously causing my Code 14 (when I get 5 V across the CS plug & replaced the coolant sensor) just went up in my book.

I still need to get my comp to link up with this vintage piece of technology, and will continue to work on that, but while I'm thinking about it, how do you tell one ECM from another? If I wanted to grab an ECM from a scrapped lesabre, how would I know that it is the correct one? Will anything from 92-94 work? Or is it more specific than that?

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by vrmlbasic

If I wanted to grab an ECM from a scrapped lesabre, how would I know that it is the correct one? Will anything from 92-94 work? Or is it more specific than that?

1991-92-& 93 all use the same ECM. 94 was a different animal!

[vrmlbasic]

So the next question is, how do I ID the year of a lesabre from the VIN?

Only 3 years to choose from...not great odds, considering that most lesabre's that I've found junked are clearly newer, with amenities that a real ride doesn't need, like passenger airbags...

[buickmastermind]

Your computer should have the original part number scribed by hand on it somewhere on the reman tag. If not, the year code for the VIN is the 10th digit, where a 92 is N, 93 is P, etc. Also, when changing the ECM you have to change the PROM out so the new ECM has your old prom, except when you can verify that the new prom is the same as the old prom. The computer should have a plate on it that has 2 bolts holding it on. The prom is under this little door along with the cal-pak, they are either together on the same removable chip or separate from each other.

With freescan, you have to chose the computer type to the closest GM option, the 3300, to get any data then perform the scan. It won't tell you everything, but should show some of the data that the computer is seeing

[spinne1]

I have a perfectly good 92 computer sitting around. If you want to buy it, I'll sell it at a very good price. How does $30 sound, plus shipping?

Let me know.

[vrmlbasic]

I'd be glad to take your extra working 92 ecm off your hands for you.

(I sent a PM a while back, but I guess it was lost somewhere in the bowels of AF)

[spinne1]

Originally Posted by vrmlbasic

I'd be glad to take your extra working 92 ecm off your hands for you.

(I sent a PM a while back, but I guess it was lost somewhere in the bowels of AF)

I finally checked this board (tough work week). I PMed you.