OK, I'm a dinosaur age wrench turner that never had to directly deal with a computer on a car before. So, I find myself in need of a scan tool and I checked around and there'* an awful lot of them out there.

I have a '94 SE and a '98 SE both NA and both having the 16 pin DLC (which I finally located under the dash). I'd like to get a scan tool that I can use for both, I assume that'* possible.

Any recommendations for a cost-effective scan tool? I don't really need a palmpilot style just an effective, simple one will do (I hope).

I thought computers were supposed to make our lives simpler? :?

94 uses OBD I, 98 uses OBD II. bad news there.

if you dont want to buy one , autozone will scan your car for free. if you have one near you and the car is drivable. just a thought.

Unfortunately there'* no Autozone within a couple of hours from me. I got PepBoys and NAPA nearby though.

You can get a setup thru here that can scan both. Just be ready to drop some serious $$$.

We have a basic scan tool that is called a Tech II at the shop. It can only read and erase codes though so is not very advanced any only works on OBD II which I think is 97 and up cars.

I wasn't that expensive but exactly how much it was I am not sure. I can try and find out tomorrow.

Ok, I did some more snooping. Here is another option I found:
http://store.yahoo.com/rodi/xxx3353.html

and this one is way to much, but REALLY nice:
http://store.yahoo.com/rodi/xxx3625.html

on a side note... here is a site with lots of unique tools (found some scan tools there):
http://store.yahoo.com/rodi/otc.html...364&PID=523995

Might have a solution fot the OBD I/OBD II scan tool issue. I just bought a scan tool from EASE Diagnostics. Mine will hook up to the OBD II connector and still readOBD I signals. The caseing says "OBD I/II scan tool st12-int". If you e-mail them they might have something that will work for both. Here is the catch. This scan tool isn't self contained. You need a computer to hook it up to to read the PCM. It appears that it can do a lot but since the weather here is below zero I haven't felt ambisous enough to go outside and really play with it yet. The unit I got runs about $350 for everything. Might be worth checking out. The guy I talked with seemed to be real helpful.

This OBD 1 with the 2 hook up is driving me nuts also! Autozone can't scan this set up and I hate paying the $ to get it checked cause the car'* being bitchy. If I realized it had this set up I would of got a 95 or better. I like the 2'* info but I rather have the 1'* ease of use.

Which tool would a guy want to get if he were willing to experiment with reprogramming a PCM?