I've found several links that deal with cables that plug into the ACDL port not working well with may scanners, Tuner Pro, and such. A bunch of them are 1988 F-bodies.

I received a ACTRON cp 9110 with GM application cartridge and adapter cable. It tries to interface info when I selct to 'Field-Repair' but on all other selections notes that the connection throws up" {TEST CONNECTOR}
damaged/loose pins
Tool Setup Ok?

Or it comes up with: {Operation Error}
Check Conections
Try Again

I've carefully cleaned all the connections to no end in frustration. I found several 'Search' questions but none have info entered on what it took to resolve the problem. What do I need to do??? I do have Tunerpro bu havn't taken the time to load up to laptop and figure it out. Can anyone offer any guidance????? It be greatly appreciated and I'll name my first born after you!!! Nitro-Nicky

 

well if you have a 160 baud ALDL, and your cable is USB then you may be experiencing the same problem I am having. When I used my old defunct laptop with a serial port everything worked great. The serial to USB adapters have trouble, and it seems like like it is hit-or-miss in finding an adapter that will work.
Tom

 

neagan

Did you ever get an answer on this? I just bought the CP 9150 and when I plug it in and trun the car on and try to get codes or live data it says I must connect the cable to retrieve info?

 

I certainly don't envy you having to go through this issue. I've been busy all summer working on a couple of my other hot rods and havn't gotten back to the IROC. Where I left off with mine is that it might be possible I'm having issues with my aftermarket PROM. I need to find my original factory PROM, plug it in and see what happens then. Have you ever changed out the chip on yours????? Nitro

 

i was wondering about this same thing. i have a matco scanner that i have used on obdII cars and on my buddies 87 s-10 and it works great....... but on my 84 z28 it says its not connected. could this mean the ecm is toast?

 

I broke down and bought the ALDL cable from ALDLcable.com
I got the USB cable. I hooked it up to my HP notebook, using datamaster software and it is working just fine.

 

maybe your 84 requires the 10k resistor to get the ECM to output data.
go to ALDLCABLES.com website there is a lot of info & links to a lot of info, find out what ECM you have, and if there is something special you need to do to get it output.

 

com ports align?

 

I got mine to work if I changed the vehicle to an 86 Camaro 5.0 w/ PFI (TPI). (I have an 88 5.7 PFI). Helped me determine my ECM was bad because the TPS and CTS were not reading right through the scanner but were right at the sensor themselves.
I saw something when I was searching online about the 83-84 ECMS being different than the ones afterward but I didn't pay much attention as it didn't apply to my car. If you have the external power plug for your scanner that plugs into the lighter make sure you have it plugged in as well. It does make a difference even if you have battery installed in the scanner.

 

i hook it right to the batt. seems like all my older cars the lighters dont work. the weird thing is my scanner asks me the vin and whatnot and the scanner says its an 85 buick with a 2.5? also i did an experiment with the car running, i unplugged the ecm and nothing changed. my engine light stayed on as well as the choke light and the idle didnt change, nothing!! thats also why im thinking its toast.

 

Yeah I would say it is probably gone then. I had a similar situation with my 83 way back when. New ECM probably couldn't hurt.