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95 camaro OBD I, with OBD II connector


jimh
04-19-2008, 09:56 PM
'95 with 3.4L V6...since it's a '95 it should be OBD I. The connecter under the dash is the 16 pin OBD II, which Haynes said . Is there a way to do the "paper clip" method to read the codes. If so, which 2 terminals do I jumper together? On my '95 Burb, it is the 2 on the right hand side of the upper row.
I really don't even want to drive it as far as AutoZone to get a free reading if I can pull the code here at home.

Thanks,
Jim

Morley
04-20-2008, 01:38 AM
Go here and read all about it. http://s-series.org/component/option,com_tech_article/Itemid,/item,60/task,item/

You have an OBD 1.5 system, a cross between 1 & 2

jimh
04-20-2008, 01:43 AM
Thanks Morley,
It's not my car, just trying to help out a friend. I'll check the link. I appreciate the quick reply.
Jim

jimh
04-20-2008, 02:18 AM
I went to the link you suggested. Jumpered 5 and 6, then turned the key to the on possition (not starting it). Dash lights come on for a few seconds like normal, then SES light stays on. Should flash 12 three times then any stored codes...but just stays on solid.
I think I have seen this on some thread, but will have to search again for that, unless anyone has a suggestion.
Thanks,
Jim

Morley
04-20-2008, 03:44 AM
Have a look at your PCM/ECM. Where is it located and what is the GM service number on it?
You may be dealing with a late 95 and it may actually be OBD II.

jimh
04-20-2008, 10:57 AM
Located under the hood on passenger side up next to the firewall.
serv.no 16184737 bnfm
*86bnfmk442512376*
also, 16212614 bnfm
*86bnfmk442512376*
The OBD connector has 7 pins of the 16 holes. Left to right with 1-8 on the top:
2,4,5,6,8 have wires
9 and 16 on the bottom have wires, the other 9 are empty holes.
Thanks for the help.

blindeyed
04-20-2008, 01:02 PM
The only 95's that come with OBD2 are the ones that were sold in California with the 3.8's. If it's got a 3.4, then it's definitely OBD1.

I never found any paper clip trick to work. But what I did find to work was educating the people at Advanced Auto parts on how to use their diagnosis scanners. If you're trying to find out the codes in your system, then I would recommend this.

Go up to Advance Auto, Autozone, or whatever auto parts store you have around you. Tell the person that you need to have you car scanned for codes. They'll ask what year is it for, you say 1995. They say "Sorry, it has to be 1996 and up for us to scan it." This is the fun part.. Explain to then that you have an OBD2 port in your car, so they can scan it. This should intrigue them enough to at least go out and give it a look over. Now when the person comes out to the car to scan it, tell him/her to manually enter the cars information (Year/Make/Model/Engine) into the scanner device, and then hook it up to the OBD port to scan it. It should scan fine, and they should take you back inside to print out the codes showing what was wrong.

The majority of the employees don't realize that their scanners do read OBD1 codes, they're just not taught how to fully use them. They don't have a cord that plugs into the OBD1 port, that's why they tell everyone with OBD1 that they can't scan it. But their scanners will read OBD1, that's why you must enter the cars information into the scanner. Otherwise, if the employee just hooks it up to the port and starts to try to scan, it will say there was an error. Once the employee enters the information about the car into the scanner, it then recognizes that it will be reading an OBD1 system instead, and should work just fine for you.

In case you're wondering, yes I've had this run in several times. :rolleyes:

jimh
04-20-2008, 03:13 PM
Thanks blindxeyed. On my 95 suburban I have always been able to use the paperclip. However, about a week ago, I wanted the burb scanned and that is exactly what they said at Advance "can't do OBD-I". But with the Camero, being OBD-I with and OBD-II port they can - and will! Thanks for the information. I will use it to educate them (again).
Thanks,
Jim

nate_the_snake
12-15-2008, 08:58 PM
Blindeyed, I've been to many auto parts stores and they have confused me more than ever. I agree education is necessary. They always ask what year and immediately are reluctant to help when I tell them it is a 1995 Camaro. However, several of them have tried and message error was displayed. In fact, some have entered the year, make, and the 8th character of the VIN.
Nevertheless, Message Error always was displayed. Any suggestions?

Now, I have discovered on the internet that there is a special connector for OBD I cars with OBD II 16 pin connectors. Do I really need this? If so, would this connector work with an OBD I or OBD II scanner? If so, where should I purchase the scanner and connector?

http://www.extremeclipart.com/images/products/thumbs/5013413.jpg (http://www.extremeclipart.com/products/Rattler_Head-3825-84.html)

blindeyed
12-15-2008, 09:59 PM
Blindeyed, I've been to many auto parts stores and they have confused me more than ever. I agree education is necessary. They always ask what year and immediately are reluctant to help when I tell them it is a 1995 Camaro. However, several of them have tried and message error was displayed. In fact, some have entered the year, make, and the 8th character of the VIN.
Nevertheless, Message Error always was displayed. Any suggestions?

Now, I have discovered on the internet that there is a special connector for OBD I cars with OBD II 16 pin connectors. Do I really need this? If so, would this connector work with an OBD I or OBD II scanner? If so, where should I purchase the scanner and connector?
I've noticed lately that alot of the auto parts stores in my area have received newer versions of their Actron scanners which don't support OBD1 systems at all. This could be the same case in your neck of the woods. Before, the stores here had an older model Actron scanner which read on the front casing of if "OBD I/II" but the newer models they have don't read anything pertaining to which type of OBD systems they scan. From my experience using the scanners, they only seem to scan OBD II unless there is a trick I haven't learned with them.

The only other option I can think of would be to try doing this:
http://shbox.com/1/xraycable.jpg

You would just need to buy one of these pocket sized OBD1 scanners:
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=sun-cp9001

There's no guarantee that it will work, but it's worth a shot. You may even be able to find that same scanner on ebay cheaper.

Hope this helps, if not let me know and I'll see if I can come up with something else for ya, but at the moment that's all I've got.

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