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| Scan Tool for 87 4cyl RECOMMENDATIONS (Page 2/3) |
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Patrick
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APR 13, 07:57 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Chic_in_a_mask:
And an even bigger thanks to the men of the hour PATRICK and PHONEDAWGZ!!!! 
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Chic_in_a_mask
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APR 13, 08:29 PM
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 [URL=http://s25.photobucket.com/user /DianaFlores1983/media/FC66E219-45B8-4700-A2D5-5F9D97A56357.jpeg.html][/URL]
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“Wherever you go, there you are.”
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Blacktree
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APR 13, 10:48 PM
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RWDPLZ
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APR 13, 11:28 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
What do you consider "really cheap"? The least expensive one I could find on eBay was $75 (up to $300), and the correct cartridge (min $15) still needs to be bought.
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I guess 'cheap' is relative, but they usually sell in the $100ish range, and frequently come with the keys, adapter, cartridges, etc. if you don't just buy the bare unit. I bought mine years ago when they got down around $250 and it was still worth it.
Still cheaper than the chinese clone GM Tech 2's ($300+), or the current Snap-On and other modern scanners.
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FX
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APR 14, 12:16 PM
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Patrick, "thank you, thank you very much". I will look into this adapter to hook to my laptop...
I just found this ALDL adapter to laptop with software on ebay for 55 bucks. Can ECM parameters be adjusted with this (eg: idle speed etc)?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM...6:g:KwcAAOSwiYFXGESA[This message has been edited by FX (edited 04-14-2019).]
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Patrick
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APR 14, 02:21 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by FX:
Can ECM parameters be adjusted with this...
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Just in case there's any confusion here... Scan tools and/or scanning software used with Fieros do not have the ability to adjust ECM parameters. They simply display in real time what the various engine sensors are reporting to the ECM.
Yes, that's phonedawgz here at this forum.
| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
...a solution can be found Here using TunerPro software.
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[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 04-14-2019).]
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FX
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APR 14, 02:36 PM
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Thanks again Patrick, I think I'll get one. Will this tell me what's wrong if there is a problem?
I love this place, think I'll buy Cliff a brew, set you up too Pat if you're in the Buffalo area...
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Patrick
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APR 14, 03:09 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by FX:
Will this tell me what's wrong if there is a problem?
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It's not like having a crystal ball  but it's an invaluable diagnostic tool. Especially for the price, it's most definitely worthwhile getting.
| quote | Originally posted by FX:
...set you up too Pat if you're in the Buffalo area
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I have no plans to shuffle off to Buffalo in the near future (it's a long way from the west coast!), but thanks for the thought. 
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FX
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APR 15, 08:27 AM
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Then it's gotta be better than das blink'n lights...
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theogre
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APR 15, 10:51 AM
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Sorry...
ECM Scan Tools often Will Not tell you what's wrong but often still needed just to check several things and more so w/ 87 and up Dukes because 1227748 ECM includes Cruise logic builtin to the board.
Examples:
Dash gauges often are way wrong for many cars not just Fiero. ECM is more accurate for engine temp but ECT can lie too. Quick Check, When the engine is cold ECM should read ECT close to weather/garage temp where parked that day. (Side note: Most older GM cars had same Temp dash gauge but w/o numbers because numbers are often wrong.)
You have measured Volts at the battery etc and think Volts are same all over. You are Often way wrong. Worse, ECM sees Low Volts for iffy grounds power or both for any reason then you can have "hunting idle" problems etc. Is part of why ECM reports Volts as data to read w/ a scanner. IOW You measure 14.6 at battery w/ engine running but ECM reports "I sees 12 or lower volts" then you have problems including maybe an iffy ECM.
But Reading Engine Timing and some other things are fairly useless even for experts because data stream is way to slow and numbers are all over the place even when that are perfect. Example: Reading O2 volts or rich/lean mix are fairly useless when the engine is warm/hot but seeing "O2 ready" flipping yes/no under same conditions is trouble most times but may not be O2 sensor itself even when ECM sets "Code 13." Many see "one wire" O2 and never bother to check O2 Ground (Tan wire for Many GM models) bolted to the block somewhere that's often have problems.
Is not unique to OBD1 either. OBD2 scanners say Pxxxx is the problem, say 1 of several O2 sensors in new cars, means to most users = that sensor is bad but often is not and still replace it anyway and often bill Hundreds of $ because many O2 are high $ parts. Many Aftermarket O2 start at ~ $150 and go much higher. Then car is back in next few days or few weeks w/ same DTC because most ASE can't look for the real problem like a weeping intake leaking coolant into the engine and poison O2(s) and often the cat(s).
See my Cave, Scan Tool Help and the rest of section. Then Wiring section as well.------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)
The Ogre's Fiero Cave
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