Reading codes w/o dealer trip

Greg · April 29, 2003

The Avalanche has nearly 45K miles and the dreaded "Service engine soon" light came on and stayed on today. I searched the threads and retightened the gas cap, checked my air intake, & other air lines. Since I'm impatient to wait 5 driving cycles, don't have on*star, and don't have time for a trip to the dealer or Autozone, is there any way to get the codes to display on the DIC or radio?

WEFs99 · April 30, 2003

Buy a code reader for $140. That's what I paid but I've seen them much cheaper.

100R1 · April 30, 2003

I downloaded free software from http://obddiagnostics.com/

The software is free, But you need a interface to connect to your computer and iso obdII port on your truck / vehicle

The above web site sells the interface

(approx $ 80.00 pre-built or $ 50.00 in a D.I.Y. kit form)

You can download the soft ware and play around with it to see if you like the look and feel in a simulated test mode before you invest any money.

This is similar to Autotap

Greg · April 30, 2003

It turned itself off on the way back from picking up lunch today. That was the 5th trip since turning on. Retightening the gas cap probably did it.

Is there a recommended OBDII reader / programmer that can read codes and set parameters (like when I get larger tires)? Oh, and it should also work on my LS1 engine in the vette.

100R1 · April 30, 2003

Here is a discussion link to a OBDII forum for more info about what years and vehicles are OBDII and Pre-OBDII compliant

Also has listing of codes and what they stand for. OBDII is a standard and all Auto Manufactures had to manufacture to a standardized code system, plus all interfaces has to compatable with for ease of use.

You will have to do some reading on back post in the discussion group to find the codes.

http://www.obdii.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi

Greg · April 30, 2003

Here is a discussion link to a OBDII forum for more info about what years and vehicles are OBDII and Pre-OBDII compliant

Also has listing of codes and what they stand for. OBDII is a standard and all Auto Manufactures had to manufacture to a standardized code system, plus all interfaces has to compatable with for ease of use.

You will have to do some reading on back post in the discussion group to find the codes.

http://www.obdii.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi

Thanks for the link. Learning stuff like this always reminds me of my father who despite having kids and grandkids in the computer industry always talking about stuff, can't understand why he would ever want to use a computer or the internet.