Can anyone recommend a good inexpensive code reader for a 85 firebird?

 

http://www.staples.com/Staples-reg-J...product_525923

 

So you have jokes. You must be the life of the party

 

LMAO.... Sofa is not joking.

That link he posted is the code reader you need!

 

The ODB1 system like on the 82-92 F body cars, uses the check engine light as a code tool.

The port under driver side of dash, you jump the A & B term (top two right hand terms) together on that port and it will flash the check engine lights... The blinks of the light is your trouble code.

To jump those two terms, you take a paper clip and un bend it, so you can stick one end into each port..

Turn ign. one and your check engine light will blink. It will show a code 12 1st (A Code 12 consists of one flash, a short pause, then two flashes in rapid succession) It will display that code 3 times... Then it will show your trouble codes... Display each code 3 times in a row

 

in a pinch, a piece of speaker wire works just as well..

 

OK thanks for the explanation. I have never had it explained about how to read the flashes.

 

If you start it up, the light will flash slow & fast, this is a test to check the activity of the o2 sensor. The engine must be up to temp for proper readings. If it only flashes fast/slow then you have an issue, might be running lean/rich.

 

OK car has Goodwrench 2.8 installed about 12 years ago. It became a dog and was setup for 8 yrs. The goodwrench motor is extremely weak. I'm trying to get it running again. Motor only has like 6000 miles on it. I'd like for it to run at least as good as the original 2.8. I was wondering if maybe something wasn't hooked back up correctly.

 

I would start a new topic, probably in the v6 forum. And weak can mean a lot of things so a list of symptoms would really help! Good luck! Hope it will live on and welcome to TGO

 

Check fuel pressure & ignition timing.

 

Thanks glad to be here.

 

Thanks I'll check those. Thanks for the help and the welcome everyone.