Sunday, November 24, 2013
How to Look Up Trouble Codes for a Chevy Truck
You can look up trouble codes for your Chevy truck right from your home garage, saving yourself time and money. You only need one tool to do the job: an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) I or II code scanner. If your Chevy truck was manufactured in 1996 or later, you need to use an OBD II code scanner; if its an earlier model, use the OBD I code scanner. The On-Board Diagnostics computer monitors all the functions of the vehicle. It stores trouble codes received from sensors positioned throughout the vehicle. When it detects a code, it alerts you to the issue by illuminating a warning or service light on the vehicles instrument panel. Code scanners can be purchased from any auto parts retailer.
Instructions
- 1
Locate the trapezoidal-shaped Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) port under the drivers side dashboard. This is usually just left of the steering column.
2Plug the OBD code scanner into the DLC port.
3Put the key into the ignition and turn it two clicks forward, taking care not to start the engine. Wait for this to power on the scanner or find the on/off button and press it.
4Select the command "Read Codes" or something similar to this.
5Wait for the codes to display and write them down on a piece of paper.
6Look up the codes in the code scanners manual to get the exact diagnosis.
7Unplug the code scanner and have your car serviced or repaired based on the trouble codes.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
How to Retrieve Trouble Codes From 1985 Camaro
You can retrieve the trouble codes from your 85 Camaro yourself. The Camaro comes standard with an On-Board Diagnostics computer (OBD) that receives and stores trouble codes sent to it from sensors positioned throughout the car. When a sensor detects a malfunction, it sends a trouble code to the computer, which then illuminates a warning or service light on the vehicles instrument panel. In order to pinpoint exactly what the problem is, you will need to use a handheld computerized device, an OBD scan tool, to retrieve the trouble codes. You can purchase this device from any auto-parts store.
Instructions
- 1
Locate a port near the fuse panel on the lower part of the drivers-side dashboard. The port should be the same size and shape as the connector on the OBD scan tool. Plug the tool into this port.
2Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "On" position. Make sure you dont accidentally start the engine. The scan tool will power on automatically.
3Wait for the scan tool to retrieve the codes. Some scan tools display a numerical trouble code only, which you then need to write down and look up in the OBD scan tools manual. Other manufacturers make scan tools that display the numerical code and the trouble code description right on the face of the tool.
4Unplug the scan tool and turn off the vehicle. Take your Camaro to your mechanic along with the trouble codes in order to have it serviced or repaired, or make the repairs yourself, before attempting to reset the codes.