OBD 1 codes

[mike561]

I wanna do a code scan just to see what i can get, and maybe look at the car's history as well. the codescaner i have is a pretty hi tech one, color screen and very digital. it can be used on either ODB 1 or 2, what type of info will it show on an 83? im surprised my car is this advanced to even have a codescanner plugged into it for how old it is.

[Blue Bowtie]

Your 1983 ECM will not have history data. It will only have a memory of stored error codes for the last 50 engine starts. However, a good scanner will be able to read live sensor and device data. That has been the case on GM vehicles since the 1981 model year, and some of them as early as 1977.

[mike561]

This is a pretty good scanner so im sure its able to read all that this car can offer

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by mike561

This is a pretty good scanner so im sure its able to read all that this car can offer

If there's a way to change it - I am not sure if there is or not - but most OBD stuff reads a data stream from Terminal E of the ALDL, but on these carbureted cars, the data stream is on Terminal D (listed as the MIL) and not Terminal E.

I ran into this with my own car when I was playing around with software called 'WinALDL'. I plugged the data line of the cable I made into Pin D and the laptop gave me realtime indications of all online sensors. It also listed any trouble codes. It's nice if you have a laptop -WinALDL works with any Windows PC and any OBD C3 system from GM. You can make the required cable yourself for under $10 and they have instructions on how to make it and the parts needed.

[mike561]

I actually just got a brand new laptop, and was thinking of getting those wires to hook up to the car's plug in connector to do everything from there. i diddnt know you could make one yourself though