Jump to content

How to read codes on '94 3100?


crazyd

Recommended Posts

I've got the 12-pin connector on my '94 and an SES light I'd like to figure out. I've got pin A but no pin B like I expected to find to jumper them together. Tried putting a code scanner on it at Schuck's but it says no response from PCM. How do I pull codes out of this crazy car?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

no such luck. 94-95 obd 1.5 cars require a scanner to check the codes, and it is a scanner that is very hard to find.

 

Do you have any idea what might be causing it?

try to state the conditions in which is occurs.

always on?

only on once the engine is warm?

only on once the engine is warm and you are coasting?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Scanners for them aren't hard at all to find. Autoxray scan tools that will read OBD-I are always on ebay. The OBD-I only scantool is the autoxray 3000. You can often buy them for right at $100 shipped and they'll scan quite a few older cars. I have an AX' 3000 that I use at home on a regular basis and I've scanned several '94-95 w-bodies with it.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/USED-AUTOXRAY-EZ-SCAN-3000-OBD-CODE-SCANNER_W0QQitemZ250464051109QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Automotive_Tools?hash=item3a50d21fa5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

 

There are 7 of those on ebay currently from what looks to be the same seller...

 

EDIT: There are other scan tools out there, just do a bit of searching and you'll find them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok, the light is intermittent. It is off at startup, then comes on once the car warms up (after 2-3 mins). It stays on until I shut off the car, but I just noticed today that it had turned off and come back on after I had stomped on it for an onramp. Based on that my instincts tell me it's probably either an O2 or EGR problem.

 

I just finished a block-up head gasket rebuild with replacement heads, both f/r. The engine was filled with about 5 gallons of chocolate slushie from the pan to the intake snorkel and everywhere in between. The SES light appeared about 30 miles after the rebuild was completed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I decided to try calling my local dealer to see how much he'd charge to scan the codes out. "Just to read the codes? You don't want any diagnostics or repair? No charge."

 

Never did find out what it was, I sold the car and the buyer said he didn't care about it since it passed emissions inspection. Really, really well. As in, 1/15th of its previous test scores on HC, and a big 0.00 score on CO. With the SES light still on in the test station!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I decided to try calling my local dealer to see how much he'd charge to scan the codes out. "Just to read the codes? You don't want any diagnostics or repair? No charge."

 

Never did find out what it was, I sold the car and the buyer said he didn't care about it since it passed emissions inspection. Really, really well. As in, 1/15th of its previous test scores on HC, and a big 0.00 score on CO. With the SES light still on in the test station!

 

that's nuts! :lol:

 

i had the O2 go bad on a 94 with a 3100. once the engine was going and the code triggered, the engien tone was different. I would describe it as a feeling that the engine was pulling timing and the noise of the engine was a bit more of a roar at a cruising speed of 60mph cranking 2000 RPM. Then again maybe it was just a pig rich mixture being delivered... my fuel economy dropped from about 29mpg to 21mpg for that tank....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 years later...
Any "scan tool" that WON'T read a '94 W-body must be a consumer-grade piece of junk.

 

x2. Although we refer to '94 as OBD 1.5, its still an OBD1 car. Any OBD1 code scanner should be able to read it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
sorry, I meant 95. I was on the phone .

 

Any "scan tool" that WON'T read a '94 W-body must be a consumer-grade piece of junk.

 

Ok, any "scan tool" that won't read a '95 W-body must be a consumer-grade piece of junk.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

that would be why. tools that flash codes over the SES light are nothing more than a direct link from pin A to B. you could recreate it using a paperclip or a thousand other metal devices that cost a penny each.

 

the 93-95 3100 code does not support flashing codes out over the SES light. NEEDS to be via ALDL communication.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've gotten the SES light as you describe for two reasons...O2 sensor bad, and evaporative purge solenoid bad. But, as Robert says, the only way you'll really know is with a scantool that communicates with the ALDL connector.

 

BTW, if you find one, the evaporative purge solenoid failure shows up as a "QUAD A" failure...it never specifically tells you what device actually failed.

 

The scantool I use I bought several years ago, it's an ancient Actron CP9110. It WILL read codes, and MOST live data on my '95 LQ1..not everything, but almost everything. There's one on eBay right now for $89.00, which is quite a bit more than I paid for mine. The one listed right now has a Chrysler cartridge and cable, you'd also need to buy the GM cartridge, and cable. I lucked up, and mine came with the GM cartridge and cable, I paid $50.00. Later, I bought the Chrysler cartridge and cable, I think I paid $30.00, for use with my '94 LeBaron convertible.

Edited by Galaxie500XL
Link to comment
Share on other sites

BTW, they're also handy to have when buying older cars...I put the fear of God in the used car salesman when I bought my Cutlass...he downplayed the significance of the CEL that was lit, and I asked him if he minded if I got my scantool out of the trunk, and checked out WHY the light was on. 3 error codes read later, his eyes were wide, and he began dropping the asking price on the car. :lol:

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...