OBD-I Useless

[Enyx311]

I went to my local auto parts store because my 93 F-bird would occasionally throw an SES light and the car would ride rough. I bought the OBD-I Reader hooked it up and waited for the flashing light. The SES light and the Check Gauge light stayed on but neither flashed. I then read in the Chilton's I didn't need the damn thing, only a jumper wire. :spank:

Anyway, anyone know what could be up? Two things I noticed when the reader was plugged in. The radiator fan turned on and stayed on throughout the entire time, and after about 2-3 minutes my chair (power) jerked back and forth a teensy bit.

The SES light is intermittent, guy who sold me the car used the good ol' "O2 sensors must be bad." Too bad the O2 sensors are new.

Edit: When my car idles roughly, the oil gauge also bounces off of 80. Normal days it stays near 40/50.

[Forced_Firebird]

Re: OBD-I Useless

You have OBD 1.5

[turbohead2332]

Re: OBD-I Useless

I dunno. I had a 93 Camaro. I tried using the jumper wire to flash my codes back through the SES light. It never worked. I checked and triple checked, then repeatedly checked some more in the Chilton Haynes manual with no luck. From what I understand, the fan coming on is normal, however DO NOT start your car with the terminal grounded like that. I hear it causes problems.

[Enyx311]

Re: OBD-I Useless

Yeah, I saw the bolded, underlined, oversized DO NOT start engine. Of course the Chilton's doesn't say crap about it not working.

OBD 1.5?

The one I bought.

It says may not work with climate control computer which I highly doubt my car has. Although it does have everything else, power everything, T-bar, grinding driver's headlight, the works.

[bigbrian442]

Re: OBD-I Useless

With OBDI you need to scan the car while the light is still on. That system doesn't store codes.

[Forced_Firebird]

Re: OBD-I Useless

With OBDI you need to scan the car while the light is still on. That system doesn't store codes.

My 1990 OBD1 stores codes, and can be jumped with a paperclip. As long as the battery isn't disconnected, it will store codes indefinately - even multiple codes.

Where do you get that info?

[Forced_Firebird]

Re: OBD-I Useless

HMM, after some research, there were OBD1 in some 3.4's.

Enyx, what position are you turning the key to? It won't work in the "accy" position, it has to be in "run". Do you have the key all the way forward (just before you feel the start spring).

[bigbrian442]

Re: OBD-I Useless

My 1990 OBD1 stores codes, and can be jumped with a paperclip. As long as the battery isn't disconnected, it will store codes indefinately - even multiple codes.

Where do you get that info?

That system only store some codes and most will clear themselves when the key is turned off. If the problem isn't there when the key is turned back on the code and light go away. Codes you see stored are ones like LEAN EXHAUST. Codes like TPS out of range goes away if the problem is intermittent and the TPS is with in range on the next ignition cycle. That system doesn't keep a history of all codes or a freeze frame of parameters when the code sets like the OBDII.

That is from experience working on Autos during that period.

[Forced_Firebird]

Re: OBD-I Useless

That system only store some codes and most will clear themselves when the key is turned off. If the problem isn't there when the key is turned back on the code and light go away. Codes you see stored are ones like LEAN EXHAUST. Codes like TPS out of range goes away if the problem is intermittent and the TPS is with in range on the next ignition cycle. That system doesn't keep a history of all codes or a freeze frame of parameters when the code sets like the OBDII.

That is from experience working on Autos during that period.

Hm. I've forgot to clear codes before and a new problem would arise. When checking for the new problem (after many re-starts) it would still be there. Can't remember off hand what codes, maybe lean/rich during the tubo endevor - leading to your statement making sense with my experiences.

[Enyx311]

Re: OBD-I Useless

HMM, after some research, there were OBD1 in some 3.4's.

Enyx, what position are you turning the key to? It won't work in the "accy" position, it has to be in "run". Do you have the key all the way forward (just before you feel the start spring).

Yep, I got it in run. Car beeps at me. SES stays illuminated, radiator fans start a runnin'.

With OBDI you need to scan the car while the light is still on. That system doesn't store codes.

How would I go about getting the code then? Once I turn the car off, light goes away. Not to mention I was explicitly told by both guides not to plug in the adapter while the car is on. Or is there one that works while the car is still running? Or should I just stick a paperclip in there and see what happens? (It's how I got my remote fobs to work :) )

[bigbrian442]

Re: OBD-I Useless

Use a scanner.

[Enyx311]

Re: OBD-I Useless

Use a scanner.

I knew that. :rolleyes:

[jnxV6]

Re: OBD-I Useless

If you live near an Advance I would say go there but I think they are switching scanners and the new ones dont read OBD-I codes. If they still have the old scanner I know you have to have an extra part that plugs into your cigarette lighter to power the scanner and then of course the right connector.

[Forced_Firebird]

Re: OBD-I Useless

Going back to origional post. Does the light come on just after a drive at speed (on the highway etc)?

Did you check your EGR equipment to make sure it's clean? EGR will cause an intermittent light.

[87SC/SS]

Re: OBD-I Useless

If you have any friends that work at a mechanic's shop, see if they have a Snap-On Modis scan tool. Other than that, my 95 Firebird has an intermittent SES and I can't find a code, and my 94 Camaro has an SES light and stores the code. I know there is something wrong with the Firebird because it idles like my Camaro which has a pretty lumpy cam in it. I think maybe these 3.4 Fbody computers are posessed.