3.4 Paperclip code detector???

[Fbody3400]

I was reading a thread here recently and read something about using a paperclip to show the codes on a 3.4 when the SES comes on. I was just wondering if this is true and if so what is it and how do I do it?

[camaroman1181]

this works for most obd I gm products, but alas, does not work for 95 and 94 f-bodies. I'm not certain if this can be performed on 93 f-bodies. GM was in transition to OBD II for the 94 & 95 comps and thus formed some sort of "OBD 1.5" system that does not respond to the typical paperclip test that is common on the rest of OBD I GM's..
To perform the test, find the 12 pin diagnostic test port (under the steering wheel at the base of the kick panel). It will be square in shape with two rows of 6 pins. The top of the port is marked by a little nub that sticks up from the port right in the center. Look at the port as if the nub is the top.. the upper right two ports are teh A and B pins in the test port. Put your keys in the ignition and turn it to on, but with the engine off. Now jumper the A and B port and watch as the check engine light blinks out series of numbers. Record those numbers and call up a local autoparts place to have them translated.

[shenanigans]

never worked on my 94...

worked like a charm on my '92 Jimmt, and my '85 camaro...

The inability to scan codes on my 94 was the thing I absolutely hated the most...

SES popped up on my '00 yesterday and bam... 2 min later cruise to advanced auto, get a code, came home researched it for 5 min online, went out found the problem.

[94Redbird]

I have a 94 and I've tried that method and got nothing. I also bought one of those GM code readers which is basically doing the same thing. Although while trying to use the code reader I realized the GND(lower most left) pin wasn't even going to the slot with my GND terminal so that's when I decided to take it apart to try and stick the prong in the right socket. While I had it apart I took note of the wiring and it was actually a switch that jumpered either A or B to GND... A being for the ECM and B being for the ABS system. But as mentioned above it doesn't work at all on my car. I also know a guy with a 95 1LE Camaro who tried the code reader and got no response.

[Fbody3400]

Well i have a '93, so next time I get the light, i'm gonna have to try this. Thanks guys. I'll let you know if it works for the '93 OBDI