Anyone know how to use a OBD1 Scanner?

[socalman]

Bought an Autoxray 6000 (used off ebay)- was able to get a scan, but when I ran the car and hit 'monitor' for live feed, first time it went for about 10 seconds (could see the water temp rise equaling what was on the dash) then it froze back to the original scan.

Rebooted, did it again, this time went 140 seconds, but before i could finish writing down all the numbers-stopped and reverted back to the original 2nd scan.

Am I an idiot? or is this thing screwed up?

[Taurus]

Sounds like a bad unit, I have never had that issue with my old MAC Tool OBD1 reader.

[PLRX]

My 92 was OBDI.

You turn the switch on but, do not start the engine.

I think code 12 was a default code, means nothing.

[Bronze85]

Never had that happen with my Snap on mt2500, but check out this post--kinda sounds like what you're describing? Auto XRAY 6000

[Corvette_Mike]

Auto x ray 6000 is I believe OBD 1 and 2. I have the x ray 5000. OBD1 does not capture any info like OBD2 does. The live moniter thing should work fine. If its not working correctly, shut down, restart and re insert start up info.

Mike

[SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84]

OBD1 works with the engine OFF/ ignition ON. Reads codes only-no live stuff or monitoring. 12 is an "alive" code(normal function-system ready). If the engine is running, test results are all skewed. I just short the pins and pump for codes..

OBD2 uses engine ON and monitors live.

[WW7]

Originally Posted by SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84

OBD1 works with the engine OFF/ ignition ON. Reads codes only-no live stuff or monitoring. 12 is an "alive" code(normal function-system ready). If the engine is running, test results are all skewed. I just short the pins and pump for codes..

OBD2 uses engine ON and monitors live.

Wrong, My autoxray 6000 reads live on my 89 while the engine is running and also live while driving around,shows all sensors and readouts as they happen. Sounds like something is either not making a solid contact or the unit is bad..WW

[NEVRL8T]

Originally Posted by PLRX

The things I would do to that are NOT illegal in Arkansas.

[socalman]

Originally Posted by Taurus

Sounds like a bad unit, I have never had that issue with my old MAC Tool OBD1 reader.

is that the 2500 unit? I'm sending this unit back and looking into another. The Mac needs cartridges, don't it?

Originally Posted by PLRX

My 92 was OBDI.

You turn the switch on but, do not start the engine.

I think code 12 was a default code, means nothing.

That's for code pulling. Scanners will show you 28 other live feed perameters for OBD 1 so you can see things like the voltage to MAP & 02 Sensors (no more guessing on what parts are causing problems). Also shows Left Bank/Right Bank info (perfect is 128) so you know if your running too rich or too lean on one side or the other. It worked good, for up to 140 seconds but crapped out.

Originally Posted by Bronze85

Never had that happen with my Snap on mt2500, but check out this post--kinda sounds like what you're describing? Auto XRAY 6000

Good stuff- thanks

Originally Posted by Corvette_Mike

Auto x ray 6000 is I believe OBD 1 and 2. I have the x ray 5000. OBD1 does not capture any info like OBD2 does. The live moniter thing should work fine. If its not working correctly, shut down, restart and re insert start up info.

Mike

Ya Mike, I knew you had a 5000 unit. I guess the only difference between the 5000 and 6000 is the 6000 has a couple more detailed info for OBDII. If i can find another 5000, should give me everything I want. My live monitor is what kept crapping out.

Originally Posted by SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84

OBD1 works with the engine OFF/ ignition ON. Reads codes only-no live stuff or monitoring. 12 is an "alive" code(normal function-system ready). If the engine is running, test results are all skewed. I just short the pins and pump for codes..

OBD2 uses engine ON and monitors live.

These units, as WW7 stated, do run live feed info-on many more perameters than just code related issues. For example, an 02 sensor might cause your car to run kinda crappy or slight miss, but not enough to set the code (02 should be running around 450 at cold idle and then live closed loop (warmed up) flunctuate between 300 and 500. One running at 350 cold and 200 hot might not set a code but cause the car to run crappy (numbers for example only).

Originally Posted by WW7

Wrong, My autoxray 6000 reads live on my 89 while the engine is running and also live while driving around,shows all sensors and readouts as they happen. Sounds like something is either not making a solid contact or the unit is bad..WW

That's what I thought. I was watching it change numbers as I was scrolling but before I could pull out of the driveway, it froze up.

I noticed that the numbers to the right (01, 02, 03 etc.) were blinking when on Live Monitor as you scrolled through, but then they quit blinking and froze back to the original start up scan. This is a fecked up unit then, right?

[socalman]

Originally Posted by NEVRL8T

The things I would do to that are NOT illegal in Arkansas.

Neither is livestock abuse, so I'm not surprised.

(unless you meant NOT Legal, then I would have to agree)

[WW7]

Here's something else I just remembered...I don't know what year car you have, but the mid to late 80s cars had some issues when working with scanners. I read somewhere on the Moate's site that they would drop the connection with the scanners after a short time because of the ecm that was used in the mid to late 80s cars. I also use Datamaster with my computer and I will loose the connection once in awhile with that also..You will also notice with the Auto Xray scanners that once in awhile you will see your engine start idleing funny, the rpms will pick up for no reason, this is another glitch they had with the computers and the ecms with the 80s cars.So what im saying is its not neccesarily your scanner thats screwing up....WW

[socalman]

Originally Posted by WW7

I don't know what year car you have, but the mid to late 80s cars had some issues when working with scanners. I read somewhere on the Moate's site that they would drop the connection with the scanners after a short time because of the ecm that was used in the mid to late 80s cars. I also use Datamaster with my computer and I will loose the connection once in awhile with that also..You will also notice with the Auto Xray scanners that once in awhile you will see your engine start idleing funny, the rpms will pick up for no reason, this is another glitch they had with the computers and the ecms with the 80s cars.So what im saying is its not neccesarily your scanner thats screwing up....WW

My car is a 92 LT1. I'm sending this one back to the seller. After refund, I'll buy a new one. I hope it's not a constant to drop the connection. I also noticed that after it dropped I would turn off the car, unplug the unit, turn it off and then start over by just turning the key to 'on' and trying to get an updated 'scan'. It would tell me it wasn't reading- is that normal?

I had to pull the battery and reboot the unit to get another scan.

What's the protocol when doing this?

Plug in unit
Turn on unit (config to 92 GM)
Turn on key
Scan

Then, what's the protocol for starting the car? do I leave the unit on? then hit MON for live monitoring?

[WW7]

I plug my unit in, turn on key , turn unit on and set for the car Im scanning, then push button to connect , then push button to read the data, then start the car, then push button to read live data. Sometimes on mine it takes 2 or 3 trys to get it to connect, it will read "Scan unsuccessful"....WW

[Bronze85]

This would be the way to go, It will read live data,codes,bi-directional controls (meaning you can activate fuel pump, idle air control etc.) probably more than you need. It's the same one I have and this particular one has plenty of cartridges etc. for a good price. They're older so the bid should'nt go up much more. HTH Snap-on MT2500 Diagnostic Scanner Many Extras NoReserve - eBay (item 300519444562 end time Feb-02-11 12:08:17 PST)

[socalman]

Originally Posted by Bronze85

This would be the way to go, It will read live data,codes,bi-directional controls (meaning you can activate fuel pump, idle air control etc.) probably more than you need. It's the same one I have and this particular one has plenty of cartridges etc. for a good price. They're older so the bid should'nt go up much more. HTH Snap-on MT2500 Diagnostic Scanner Many Extras NoReserve - eBay (item 300519444562 end time Feb-02-11 12:08:17 PST)

I saw that one but I don't see an OBD 1 cartridge. States "GM OBD II 1996-2000" then stated the same GM Chrysler up to 1999 OBD II.

Is there a cartridge there that would work for my 92?

[socalman]

Originally Posted by WW7

I plug my unit in, turn on key , turn unit on and set for the car Im scanning, then push button to connect , then push button to read the data, then start the car, then push button to read live data. Sometimes on mine it takes 2 or 3 trys to get it to connect, it will read "Scan unsuccessful"....WW

That's what I was getting- Scan Unsuccessful or 'Not Reading' right in the middle of a live scan.

[jda67gta]

Originally Posted by PLRX

My 92 was OBDI.

You turn the switch on but, do not start the engine.

I think code 12 was a default code, means nothing.

Camera on stick FTW....

[Midnight85]

The girl in the background in the purple top is a bit jealous. Probably because her boyfriend's shirt is wet with drool.

[mike100]

^^^ haha, good catch...I never made it past the booty to notice much else on that pic.

[Bronze85]

Originally Posted by socalman

I saw that one but I don't see an OBD 1 cartridge. States "GM OBD II 1996-2000" then stated the same GM Chrysler up to 1999 OBD II.

Is there a cartridge there that would work for my 92?

The primary GM etc. through 99 etc. would be the ones you need, that auctions over but they're always on there. The one I have has the programmable cartridges but I still have the old ones. If you wind up getting that type of scanner and need them lemme know.