Check Engine Light OBD1

[GTR24]

Whats the best the way to scan my check engine light on a '95 240sx? I cant find a shop that has the obd1 interface. My check engine light has been on for for 6 months. Even a state inspection place couldn't check it, and it passed the inspection. Can anyone recommend an effective product or the right equipment to check it?

[SirSilvia]

thanks for reminding me. I had been looking for an OBD I system for a while but no one sells one. Quick check on ebay and found this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...le:ushooks up via USB and comes with software at a great price. I forgot all about this over the holidays. I need a laptop which my work will pay for since I should be getting full time here soon.

1) display the status of the input and output signals read at the control unit (ECU)2) read the conclusions of the electronic systems Self Diagnostics (error log) and display the name of the failed circuit.3) instructs the ECU to modify signals of sensors and actuators, thereby changing operating conditions4) to confirm diagnosis. (on the fly, e.g. boost increase, rev increase, timing, etc) [can be hooked up permanently to your car]

This looks like a good deal and i can't wait to get it, just next pay check

[lrb_2000]

You can just check the codes yourself on the ecu itself. Go here, and scroll down, it will explain.

http://www.240sx.org/faq/artic...h.htm

[SirSilvia]

yeah but with an OBD I its hella easier and can save teh data for you. plus neither of my clusters (digital or analog) have a check engine light.

[ricebike]

price a bit steep for a obd1 interface cable...

but i guess its worth it to save the minutes of pulling the kick panel, unbolting the ecu and flipping it over, then fiddling w/ the screw access lights and counting the blinking LEDs...

[SirSilvia]

yeah, I'm definitely going for this. I can leave it hooked up and router the wire to somewhere like the ashtray.Whenever i need to get at it leave the USB end in the ashtray section and then just pop it out, hook up the laptop and run with it.

[DroptopDrifting]

i just ordered that usb hookup. cant wait to try it out. i'll let you guys know how it works out. but i prob wont really use it til the spring, it's too damn cold out to tweak with things.

[SirSilvia]

nice man, I'm getting one once my tax return is deposited. I'm getting 300zx lsd, that OBD1-USB connector and software, my PS3 is on its way.

[SirSilvia]

I just got that e-mance data cable i was talking about a little while ago. Stupid me didn't read the auction correctly, so i forgot to buy a serial to USB adapter. but i was wondering which connector is the OBD1 connector. I think its the bigger one, just want to make sure

[Gabes13]

yeah but with an OBD I its hella easier and can save teh data for you. plus neither of my clusters (digital or analog) have a check engine light.

you can count the blinking lights on your ecu.

[SirSilvia]

true but a little blinking light is not going to give you the readout such as this.

[Gabes13]

oh man,I want one now!

[SirSilvia]

lol thought so, I'll be taking a vid and some screen shots and putting them in a new thread. i was playing around with the program a little and see there's voice recognition too, not sure how that's gonna work, but that sounds sweet.

[DroptopDrifting]

dude, i dont like this emance guy. i ordered that thing feb 3rd. he said hed send it out. feb 125th he got back to me and asked me for my address again, so he can ship it. then on the 15th he finally marked it as payment received. its now feb 26th and i still dont have it. wtf

plus i've heard he buys other peoples tuned ecu's and sells em off as if he tuned it to your stuff. might just be a rumour, but if you search nico youll see a ton of people sayin to not buy emance ecu's. idkthis obdI thing seems real good, i just wish itd get here already
Modified by DroptopDrifting at 9:41 PM 2/25/2009

[SirSilvia]

dunno man i paid for mine on the 14th and got it today, just waiting on the serial => USB adapter from another auction

[Xj220gt]

doesnt autozone rent them out? I have an OBDII reader that reads OBD I also.

[SirSilvia]

been there done that and they said they don't have any, plus i don't want one not rent one. and that can't tell you of all that this software can (above pic)
Modified by SirSilvia at 1:54 AM 2/26/2009

[SirSilvia]

oh snap son a little more searching I found this zerothread/280544Google search > NICO search in this case

[DroptopDrifting]

yeah, in the thread you posted someone mentions how he ripped of calum

"you cant do "tuning", you can only run active tests which wont be retained once test is stopped or car is stopped.you're getting the consult interface cheap because:1) he ripped off calum's DIY interface for a couple of dollars. the design was supposed to be for people making it themselves, as if something goes wrong you need to know how to fix it etc.2) it doesnt use the proper consult connector (costs ~15USD)3) no proper enclosure etc...exposed electronics4) is including software you can get for free anyway. calumsult, ecutalk, tecu, and older scantech versions (if that was supplied) are all free.

but for people who are cheap, it works so if you dont need it permanently mounted or anything and just need quick diagnosis its pretty cheap, if you dont care about the ethics of it all. find it funny that he says you're saving $500, but thats ebay marketing for you"

but in either case, i got it solely for the fact it can help me figure out what my CEL is all about with the ease of a laptop. i have other stuff for tuning

[SirSilvia]

that's cool, I'm looking for stats on my car, and can do the DIY, but I don't have the attention span for it. I'm great with electronics, but SUCK at fine soldering.If it breaks I can figure out how to fix it. i wanted something cheap quick and effective. I have a little project box that i think would be perfect to enclose it. I agree that the design is like half done. A higher quality consult connector and a box for the circuit board would be nice. I was not aware there was a kit to begin with, or where to get actual connectors that fit perfect.

[DroptopDrifting]

yeah its fine for what i need it for too. i just wanna check my codes with ease and maybe play with it from there. but yeah, i emailed jason yesturday asking for a tracking number so i can see when itll get here. he got back to me today, just sent it out. wtf man. i knew it. oh well, atleast its finally on its way.

by the way, how much did you spend on the serial/usb connector thing on ebay? it seems theyre $35 at radioshack

[SirSilvia]

by the way, how much did you spend on the serial/usb connector thing on ebay? it seems theyre $35 at radioshack

ouch, no effin way I wouldn't pay that much, sh*t dude $5 on ebay.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...81544I can't believe radio shack is still in business

[DroptopDrifting]

damn $5. i knew radioshack wayyyy overcharged, and yeah as i was typin that i was thinkin the same thing: i cant believe theyre still in business. and i meant they're $25 at radioshack, but still wayyyy overpriced lol. ebay FTW....for once.

thx for the link

[SirSilvia]

I wouldn't shop that unless i needed a real obscure component like a resistor or something off the wall.

[DroptopDrifting]

funny you mention that. i was on a search for a ballast resister so i figured radioshack would have it. they had plenty of resistors of course, but not the one i needed. f*ck radioshack! haha

but yeah, i just realized that jason had sent me an email right before he shipped it, i dunno how i skipped over it. he said he had to leave town for a funeral and thought he had taken care of it before he left. he apologized for the delay atleast. plus he said hes sending me a "new version" of the cable, dunno what that means. idk, i just hope the emance thing and the usb/serial adapter come at the same time. i just paid for the adapter so it should be here soon. cant wait

[SirSilvia]

new version? mind sending me a pic when you get it? I think I'm going to hard wire my connector to the wiring behind the OBD1 so I can have it in there permanently, yet still have a plug for the stock connector.

[DroptopDrifting]

yeah i'll take a pic when i get it, but i have a feeling he just said that to make me feel better about him forgetting to ship it lol

yeah, i might hardwire mine as well so its just plug and play whenever i need/want to use it. the usb cord is prob long enough to run under and out the ashtray area, which might be cool. easy access for my laptop. plus i wont have to worry about losing the damn thing. i lose everything.

[SirSilvia]

yeah that's what I'm doing, with that USB extension. I quit smoking and will clean the ashtray and cut the bottom out of it and then route the USB to there.

[240sx8501]

I have a 95 240 and when i get a code i plug in ob2 scanner into the port behind the center console on the passenger side and it reads them fine... the scanner only cost like 100-200 bucks

[SirSilvia]

OBD2 are easy to come by, and OBD1's are not. (at least for me) and I'm not spending an arm and a leg for one with limited features.