OBD 1 scan cable...anyone used them?

[mapolley07 10+ year member]

So I drive a 1990 Buick LeSabre, and obviously it doesn't have OBD 2 as that was instituted in '96, but I do have GM's OBD 1 system. Anyway, I like to work on my own car and my SES (Service Engine Soon) light has been on since my spark plugs went out, and I would like to read the codes and erase them.

So has anyone used these ALDL cables for OBD 1 cars? Are they worth the $59.95?

Or is there a better option for scanning codes/ accessing the ECU on these older cars? I have a laptop, so a device that would connect to a USB port would be nice

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[mapolley07 10+ year member]

sorry, meant to put this in the Repair/Performance section. mod move it please?

 

[lvfive.o 10+ year member]

I used to work on mustangs a lot (I know its not a GM car) but OBDI systems do not tell you shit. It will more than likely give you a vague idea of what is going on. It will say things like misfiring on multiple cylinders, that kind of thing.

 

[mapolley07 10+ year member]

I used to work on mustangs a lot (I know its not a GM car) but OBDI systems do not tell you shit. It will more than likely give you a vague idea of what is going on. It will say things like misfiring on multiple cylinders, that kind of thing.

Thanks for the info. Since GM was really the first company to implement OBD 1 systems if they had more info available. Anyone experienced with GM cars at all? I don't want to buy a $60 scan tool to find out what I already knew

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

you should be able to use a paper clip and jump 2 of the pins in the diagnostic port and the CEL will flash the codes

 

[93 saturn sl2 10+ year member]

you should be able to use a paper clip and jump 2 of the pins in the diagnostic port and the CEL will flash the codes

x2 thats what I was gonna recommend.

 

[mapolley07 10+ year member]

you should be able to use a paper clip and jump 2 of the pins in the diagnostic port and the CEL will flash the codes

any way to erase the codes then?

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

fix the problem and they will go away