Scan Tool Diagnosis
03-29-2003, 10:20 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Scan Tool Diagnosis
Picked up a great little OBDII Digital Code Reader made by Innova at Canadian Tire today. 
And it was only $100.
I was amazed at how many codes the computer on this car can throw.
Over 600 Generic and 300 GM specific codes.
I needed it to diagnose and turn out the CES light on the dash. Once it tells you the code(*) you can erase them if you want.
The code turned out to be P0128 - Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature)
A consequence of running with a drilled 180 Thermostat.
Seems that you can't do too much with these '96 and newer cars without the computer letting you (and your service manager) know.
I'll keep on playing with mods for this car until I throw a P1257 code (Supercharge System Overboost)
And it was only $100.
I was amazed at how many codes the computer on this car can throw.
Over 600 Generic and 300 GM specific codes.
I needed it to diagnose and turn out the CES light on the dash. Once it tells you the code(*) you can erase them if you want.
The code turned out to be P0128 - Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature)
A consequence of running with a drilled 180 Thermostat.
Seems that you can't do too much with these '96 and newer cars without the computer letting you (and your service manager) know.
I'll keep on playing with mods for this car until I throw a P1257 code (Supercharge System Overboost)
05-19-2003, 05:30 PM
#2
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Holt, MI & Lima, OH
Posts: 3,022
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll keep on playing with mods for this car until I throw a P1257 code (Supercharge System Overboost)
By the way, I would've purchased a scan tool instead of just a code reader because a scan tool will let you check you DTC'*, and let you see how much Knock Retard you are getting and such.
And yes, it is VERY easy to get the code that you got. It came on after 20 minutes of driving my moms car after the installation of the drilled 180. Although, it hasn't come on since. Hmmmmm.
05-19-2003, 08:10 PM
#3
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Edmonton, AB Canada
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Scan Tool Diagnosis
Originally Posted by 2000SilverBullet
Seems that you can't do too much with these '96 and newer cars without the computer letting you (and your service manager) know.
A note to the uneducated, don't try to lie to a GM Service Department! 
05-19-2003, 09:29 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is sooo true....A customer at our dealership tried to get his engine replaced under warranty for "so-called" premature failure of the valve train. Well after the Tech hooked up a Tech II Scanner, we soon learned, much to the customer'* dismay, that he had the engine red-lined for quite awhile, then the valves started to float, then they bent! Let'* just say the customer ended up paying for the whole bill to replace his engine. A note to the uneducated, don't try to lie to a GM Service Department!
Maybe he'* a warranty spy for GM, logging all the mod data for guys like me who are still under warranty and do some tweaking.
Nooooo. Just a moment of insanity.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Nytro67
Performance, Brainstorming & Tuning
6
06-19-2003 11:28 PM