OBD Scan Tools

[Guest dabecker65@gmail.com]

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />Need to check codes on 95 Riviera - MIL is on. Is the 95 OBDII and will it accept an OBDII scan? I am maybe too old for this new stuff...takes more than baling wire and a screwdriver... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Thanks

[Guest BJM]

1995 was the changeover year. All NEW automobiles introduced in 1995 were to be OBD II fromt he factory. Existing car lines had until 1996 to be OBD II compliant. Ibelieve 1995 was the 1st year for the new Riviera architecture so I'll bet it is OBD II. The OBD II connector had to be uniform among all car manufacturers and in the general same location under the drivers dash area. Previous to this, a scan tool connector could have a manufacturer unique shape and be located just about anywhere. So, if your scan tool port is under the drivers dash area, facing down and shaped kind of like a long rectangle with the top being longer then the bottom, then that is OBD II. It would require what GM calls a TECH II tool.

Hope that helps.

[Guest dabecker65@gmail.com]

Thanks 3Jakes

95 Riv/Aurora shop manuals refer to the scanner as a Tech I tool - but I found the DLC under a sliding panel - it appears to be the same configuration as the one on our 02 Century and both look like a 16 pin connection. Off to buy a scan tool tomorrow and see what blows up!

I renewed old BCA membership (#2477) and was looking for a '40 or '41 restored when I came across this Riv at the local Jag dealer - current wife doesn't share the enthusiasm and the Riv was easier to convince her. Car is really nice two owner and real clean with no wear showing anywhere. However, supercharger had been "doctored" and began making noise after about 1k miles over 4 months so I replaced it along with intake manifold and rocker gaskets, new plugs, plug wires, belts and hoses, etc. In the course of that found that the indicator lamps for "traction control" and "check engine soon" had been removed. Its only money...

If anyone has an extra wiring harness shield that goes over the drive end of the blower - I need to buy one.

Thanks again

DAB

[Guest Albert]

thats a common thing dealers have done, i have broken quit a few check engine lights, and abs lights, somstimes a piece of black electrical tapes works on the back of the plastic..A few times people who have bought cars without abs lights or engine lights, i have cut traces on the back and hooked thouse lights to the generator light too..

[NTX5467]

With all due respect, it's easy to claim the car dealer's operatives might have taken the lights out (to hide malfunctioning expensive parts), BUT I highly suspect it was the prior owner that traded the car in knowing that those things were not working correctly AND what the dealer had quoted them to get them fixed. Considering what it takes to get to those indicator lights, no dealer's going to pay some employee to disable them (considering what it takes to get to them AND the possibility that some of the trim parts might get broken in the process).

One time, we traded for (and resold) a first gen Aurora. A few weeks after it was sold, it was in the shop with an "overheat" situation . . . but NO "check engine" light on, although a quick code scan revealed (in the diagnostic process) some codes in the computer. Much money was spent in getting the radiator cleaned and other things replaced (per trouble code), but the car kept returning a few days or never leaving the service department.

During the course of digging (literally) into things, there had been some light bulbs removed from the instrument cluster. It was also discovered that the a/c condensor was almost completely plugged with grass and debris. I highly doubt that this vehicle had been driven through the field and pastures checking the fences or the livestock, so that leaves the possibility of the grass and debris being from high water issues . . . somewhere. When the a/c condensor was cleaned out and the light bulbs replaced, plus some other things, then all was well again. The removed light bulbs tended to tell the story, though, of a vehicle that had been somewhere that nobody wanted to admit it had been. On that particular vehicle, the a/c condensor is hidden under the front end sheet metal, so it's not very obvious to see, much less find.

If we were talking of vehicles in the 1960s or 1970s where you could contort and reach up behind the instrument cluster to replace burned out light bulbs, it would be different, but modern vehicles do not have that accessibility in that manner. Plus, once a vehicle comes into a dealer's stock, whatever happens to that vehicle is supposed to be recorded (repairs/labor performed, with invoices) in the vehicle's folder and disclosed to the customer upon purchase--new or used.

But in the realm of a used car, although the vehicle is supposed to be emissions tested (in many areas) before it can be resold, if no codes are present or a light is not on when they trade for it, everything is felt to be acceptable. Sometimes that can bite, but generally not. Seems unusual, though, that the Traction Control light would be out or removed, unless there was a valid malfunction somewhere that nobody desired to repair before trading the vehicle.

There are some OBD websites I found (and posted on here in a comments about a week or so ago) which detail which vehicles are OBD or OBDII. You can do a Google search and probably find it.

Those are some NICE cars. For the first year or so, the Supercharged version was an option, then it became the standard powerplant. Some of the Pontiac Grand Prix performance websites have somewhat extensive information on supercharger issues and fixes (which might also be on www.RegalGS.org), plus sources for reman units. Generally, if the new car dealer would get a supercharged GM car in on trade and it was making noises in the supercharger area, they'd wholesale it rather than fix it . . . unless they made adequate allowances for that in the trade-in proposal price (which many buyers typically would refuse). Don't forget to check and/or change the Supercharger Fluid as necessary, if your new unit has that capability.

Just some thoughts . . .

NTX5467

[Guest dabecker65@gmail.com]

As the original post - I did not imply that the dealer was responsible in this case. I am pretty sure the couple that traded for the new Jag had the indicators removed and the blower "doctored" temporarily to make the bearing noise disappear... This car is so nice that I'm sure the dealer that took it on trade never thought to check for codes. It looked and drove so perfect that I neglected to notice that the two indicators did not self-check on start - stupid on me! I could have used that to negotiate a lower price...even though I still bought it right. It is one neat Riv - ruby red metallic (minor chips) w/ garnet leather (perfect condition)and optioned to the hilt!

BLower was not much of a problem - reman from PSE in California was only $500 and is warranted for life. They use different bearings and improved seals than the Eaton originals.