Wal Mart Check Engine code reader? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

beeroh · 09-19-2003, 01:30 PM

Have you seen those 20$ code readers at Wal Mart. Are they worth it?

**Captkaos** · 09-19-2003, 04:11 PM

Not for an 1984 Silverado.

beeroh · 09-19-2003, 04:28 PM

why?

**Captkaos** · 09-19-2003, 06:07 PM

Because an '84 doesn't have a computer, only a POS ESC box that should be dumped.

**swervin ervin** · 09-19-2003, 07:26 PM

Don't California trucks have a computer?? I'm guessing they do. A Cali person will have to say for sure.

*1FaastC10* · 09-19-2003, 07:47 PM

you get what you pay for.

Big Paul · 09-19-2003, 09:22 PM

I believe the CA trucks do. They have the CCC and all that mess.

I got one from autozone, but you don't really need it. All you need is a paper clip and to know what terminals to cross on the ALDL plug.

beeroh · 09-19-2003, 11:00 PM

ok, so now im crossing terminals, how do I read the error codes?

Big Paul · 09-20-2003, 12:23 AM

The "normal" light, to make sure your computer is all fine is the Code 12.

The number won't come up, but the "Check Engine Light" or "Service Engine Soon" light is what flashes.

A code 12 will flash just like it is, 1 flash, pause, 2 flashes. And it will do that 3 times.

Thats how you will read any trouble code. Another example: say a code 42.

4 flashes, pause, 2 flashes. Any trouble code will flash 3 times as well. If there are any more, they will be in order of number.

So if you have a code 33 and a code 42. The 33 will come up before 42 will. After 33 has flashed itself 3 times, there will be a pause and 42 will flash itself 3 times.

If there is only 1 trouble code. It will flash itself 3 times, then the code 12 will flash again. YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A CODE 12.

Hope you can understand this.

beeroh · 09-20-2003, 12:55 AM

what terminals do I cross Paul?

**swervin ervin** · 09-20-2003, 01:32 AM

The two top right ones. Make sure the switch isn't on when you do this. Ground it with the paper clip or wire and then turn the switch on, not start it, but just on. Then watch the service engine soon light. It will flash code 12 three times to tell you everything is working. Then if any codes, it will flas them, as Paul stated.

Big Paul · 09-20-2003, 02:14 AM

Thanks Mike. I forgot which ones needed to be crossed.

beeroh · 09-20-2003, 02:47 AM

where can I find out what codes are what?

**swervin ervin** · 09-20-2003, 09:20 AM

A Chilton's manual has the code list. Something anyone who owns one of these trucks needs. Of course if you don't want to shell out the money for a manual, you could post the codes on here and someone can tell you what they are. If you plan on keeping this truck, do yourself a favor and buy a manual. Knowledge is the king.

Big Paul · 09-20-2003, 10:23 PM

Yeah the Haynes, or Chilton's manuals got em. Or those code readers that you buy usually have a book that comes with them.

I'd buy the Haynes or Chiltons though, alot of info for doing maintanence and fixing stuff on the truck. Only about $15, and well worth it.

apstguy · 09-22-2003, 12:57 PM

Don't bother. Just use the paper clip thing. It will tell you just as much as the paper clip. The more expensive ones can only tell you what the oxygen sensor is reading and nothing extra.

09-19-2003, 01:30 PM	#1
beeroh Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Atascadero, CA. Posts: 149	Wal Mart Check Engine code reader? Have you seen those 20$ code readers at Wal Mart. Are they worth it? __________________ 84 Silverado,

09-19-2003, 04:11 PM	#2
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Not for an 1984 Silverado. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

09-19-2003, 04:28 PM	#3
beeroh Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Atascadero, CA. Posts: 149	why? __________________ 84 Silverado,

09-19-2003, 06:07 PM	#4
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Because an '84 doesn't have a computer, only a POS ESC box that should be dumped. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

09-19-2003, 07:26 PM	#5
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Don't California trucks have a computer?? I'm guessing they do. A Cali person will have to say for sure. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

09-19-2003, 07:47 PM	#6
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,400	you get what you pay for.

09-19-2003, 09:22 PM	#7
Big Paul Iamnotanofficerofthelaw Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Turlock, California Posts: 352	I believe the CA trucks do. They have the CCC and all that mess. I got one from autozone, but you don't really need it. All you need is a paper clip and to know what terminals to cross on the ALDL plug. __________________ ~Paul~ '96 C1500 Silverado- Vortec 5.0L/Exhaust/Stock '87 S-10 Ext Cab- 2.8L/700r4 KIA Caught fire 12/7/03

09-19-2003, 11:00 PM	#8
beeroh Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Atascadero, CA. Posts: 149	ok, so now im crossing terminals, how do I read the error codes? __________________ 84 Silverado,

09-20-2003, 12:23 AM	#9
Big Paul Iamnotanofficerofthelaw Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Turlock, California Posts: 352	The "normal" light, to make sure your computer is all fine is the Code 12. The number won't come up, but the "Check Engine Light" or "Service Engine Soon" light is what flashes. A code 12 will flash just like it is, 1 flash, pause, 2 flashes. And it will do that 3 times. Thats how you will read any trouble code. Another example: say a code 42. 4 flashes, pause, 2 flashes. Any trouble code will flash 3 times as well. If there are any more, they will be in order of number. So if you have a code 33 and a code 42. The 33 will come up before 42 will. After 33 has flashed itself 3 times, there will be a pause and 42 will flash itself 3 times. If there is only 1 trouble code. It will flash itself 3 times, then the code 12 will flash again. YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A CODE 12. Hope you can understand this. __________________ ~Paul~ '96 C1500 Silverado- Vortec 5.0L/Exhaust/Stock '87 S-10 Ext Cab- 2.8L/700r4 KIA Caught fire 12/7/03 Last edited by Big Paul; 09-20-2003 at 12:27 AM.

09-20-2003, 12:55 AM	#10
beeroh Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Atascadero, CA. Posts: 149	what terminals do I cross Paul? __________________ 84 Silverado,

09-20-2003, 01:32 AM	#11
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	The two top right ones. Make sure the switch isn't on when you do this. Ground it with the paper clip or wire and then turn the switch on, not start it, but just on. Then watch the service engine soon light. It will flash code 12 three times to tell you everything is working. Then if any codes, it will flas them, as Paul stated.

09-20-2003, 02:14 AM	#12
Big Paul Iamnotanofficerofthelaw Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Turlock, California Posts: 352	Thanks Mike. I forgot which ones needed to be crossed. __________________ ~Paul~ '96 C1500 Silverado- Vortec 5.0L/Exhaust/Stock '87 S-10 Ext Cab- 2.8L/700r4 KIA Caught fire 12/7/03

09-20-2003, 02:47 AM	#13
beeroh Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Atascadero, CA. Posts: 149	where can I find out what codes are what? __________________ 84 Silverado,

09-20-2003, 09:20 AM	#14
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	A Chilton's manual has the code list. Something anyone who owns one of these trucks needs. Of course if you don't want to shell out the money for a manual, you could post the codes on here and someone can tell you what they are. If you plan on keeping this truck, do yourself a favor and buy a manual. Knowledge is the king.

09-20-2003, 10:23 PM	#15
Big Paul Iamnotanofficerofthelaw Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Turlock, California Posts: 352	Yeah the Haynes, or Chilton's manuals got em. Or those code readers that you buy usually have a book that comes with them. I'd buy the Haynes or Chiltons though, alot of info for doing maintanence and fixing stuff on the truck. Only about $15, and well worth it. __________________ ~Paul~ '96 C1500 Silverado- Vortec 5.0L/Exhaust/Stock '87 S-10 Ext Cab- 2.8L/700r4 KIA Caught fire 12/7/03



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09-22-2003, 12:57 PM	#16
apstguy LED King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,088	Don't bother. Just use the paper clip thing. It will tell you just as much as the paper clip. The more expensive ones can only tell you what the oxygen sensor is reading and nothing extra. __________________ Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32

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