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Old 09-21-2009, 09:02 AM
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Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350
scanner tool

i found this think it would work for our cars like it should http://www.gadgetsgalorestore.com/productid.php?id=134

just anyone know where i can get a decent one, but inexpensive.
Old 09-21-2009, 04:25 PM
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Car: 88 iroc convertible
Engine: 305tbi
Transmission: t5 5-speed
Axle/Gears: 4th gen, 3.23 posi disc brakes
Re: scanner tool

i just got one from o'reilly parts store for the 25 and it's new and came with a book on diagnosis and codes
Old 09-21-2009, 04:58 PM
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Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: W/C T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 Posi
Re: scanner tool

The all-mighty PAPERCLIP is the only thing you need. just my I would save my money if i was you. The paperclip placed in the top right side 2 terminals of the ADL port (underneath the dash by your right leg) will show your codes on the dash, the same way that will. But the paperclip only costs
Old 09-21-2009, 04:59 PM
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Car: 84 Camaro z28
Engine: 305. LE9
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42:1 Locking
Re: scanner tool

or you could do the paper clip method for the price of a paper clip, thats how i got my codes and it works just as well you just have to look the codes online go to this web site for how to do it and for the codes.

http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=27
Old 09-22-2009, 03:06 PM
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Car: 88 iroc convertible
Engine: 305tbi
Transmission: t5 5-speed
Axle/Gears: 4th gen, 3.23 posi disc brakes
Re: scanner tool

yeah i agree it's alot cheaper and that's what i used to do but with the scanner it gives you alot more info on the codes and alot more codes. it is good for the ecm,pcm,and abs system codes a paper clip doesn't show you all these codes since it's just connected to the a and b terminals. i would do the paper clip and see if that fixes it and then if it doesn't go spend the 25

Last edited by 88convert; 09-22-2009 at 03:17 PM.
Old 09-22-2009, 08:23 PM
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Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
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Re: scanner tool

huh? 3rd gens don't have a pcm or abs to get codes from - at least not stock. There's nothing that the paperclip can't tell you. Praise be to the paperclip - anything else is a waste of cash.
Old 09-22-2009, 10:06 PM
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Car: 87 Berlinetta,work in progress
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Transmission: TH350,3500 stall
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Re: scanner tool

The paperclip will give you codes,and that's all it will tell you.OBDI is fairly basic,but still needs a basic diagnosis for "code" problems.Yes,the paperclip will give you the codes,but a basic problem can trigger multiple codes.You can watch swap meets and pawn shops,and pick up a Snap On brick for very little more than the generic "code readers".It will give you much more in depth info,as well as the ability to clear codes,for the one time "glitches" that happen.I picked mine up for $100 at a swap meet,has all the info through 99,and the generic OBDII info.MUCH more useful than auto parts store code readers,and not much more $$.
Old 09-23-2009, 06:24 AM
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Car: 90 IROC
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: scanner tool

Originally Posted by camaronewbie
huh? 3rd gens don't have a pcm or abs to get codes from - at least not stock. There's nothing that the paperclip can't tell you. Praise be to the paperclip - anything else is a waste of cash.
Sorry, but that's incorrect and I really wish people would stop perpetuating that myth. You can obtain a wealth of information from the ECM, including all sensor readings along with the "block learn" values. www.moates.net is the place to get informed. Paperclips are ok for just obtaining the codes, but an ALDL reader is the only way to go for real diagnosis.
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