Jump to content

OBD2 codes and such


GPX

Recommended Posts

On the W-body homepage there's that neat thing about what I now understand is OBD1 stuff about how you use a paper clip to read the codes and I always wanted to do that and now I finally have an SES light and it seems that I don't get to do that neat trick because I have OBD2? Next you're gonna tell me I have to pay the mechanic a bunch to check it out or have to buy an expensive tool!

 

I have a '96 Cutlass with an '02 3400. I think it has the original 3100's ECM.

 

Thanks for your help. This is all new to me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nope, just go to the nearest auto parts store, such as AutoZone, Advanced or O'Reilly's and see if they will scan it for free.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah I would just buy a scanner and keep it with for future repairs. A lot better then having to go to the parts store everytime you need codes scanned.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My NAPA store is not much further away than my garage! :lol:

 

So now my hope is that they are willing to provide this service and that it's not something serious!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Okay, so I took the advice to by a reader on eBay. It was suggested that I should be able to get one for $30. If you look at eBay, most are in the $30~$40 range with some as much as $200. Many are Buy-It-Now. In fact, the reader I bought has a BIN price of $44.95. I won the auction for $13.50 + $6.99 shipping. Had it in hand in 5 days. It's a "Cread@r" (that's the way they write it!) by Launch. Very simple and easy to use. It told me I had two codes:

 

P0101=Mass or volume air flow range/performance problem

 

P0140=O2 sensor circuit no activity detected (bank 1 sensor 2)

 

These both looked like possible one time errors so I let the Cread@r clear the trouble codes to see if it would throw another one. So far so good. If I am wrong about more or less ignoring these codes PLEASE let me know. Thanks for the advice! :biggrin:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It might take a few miles to get the codes to come back up. Typically the MAF will come up right away. Not sure how long the O2 sensor will take to re-register.

 

As far as the MAF code, check your air filter. I was having problems with my car spitting out that code for awhile, even after changing the MAF it was still there. I changed the air filter and the problem went away. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Okay, so I took the advice to by a reader on eBay. It was suggested that I should be able to get one for $30. If you look at eBay, most are in the $30~$40 range with some as much as $200. Many are Buy-It-Now. In fact, the reader I bought has a BIN price of $44.95. I won the auction for $13.50 + $6.99 shipping. Had it in hand in 5 days. It's a "Cread@r" (that's the way they write it!) by Launch. Very simple and easy to use. It told me I had two codes:

 

P0101=Mass or volume air flow range/performance problem

 

P0140=O2 sensor circuit no activity detected (bank 1 sensor 2)

 

These both looked like possible one time errors so I let the Cread@r clear the trouble codes to see if it would throw another one. So far so good. If I am wrong about more or less ignoring these codes PLEASE let me know. Thanks for the advice! :biggrin:

 

link to said scanner? :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as the MAF code, check your air filter. I was having problems with my car spitting out that code for awhile, even after changing the MAF it was still there. I changed the air filter and the problem went away. :)

It's time for a K & N anyway. :high5:
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yup, that's the one I got and I think it works great, although I don't have anything to compare it to.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as the MAF code, check your air filter. I was having problems with my car spitting out that code for awhile, even after changing the MAF it was still there. I changed the air filter and the problem went away. :)

It's time for a K & N anyway. :high5:

 

Just don't over-oil your K&N.........that can kill a hot-wire MAF all by itself.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...