Topic: Electronics 101
in Forum: All Vettes Discussion
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Having made the leap into the C4 world I know I have a lot to learn about the electronics of the car, as well as the newer vehicles in the 'family fleet'. But also realize that the later C3s have a fair amount as well, like my buddy Pete's '82CE.
Norsky 2007-08-09 06:42:29
Investing in a scanning tool of some sort makes sense I guess, but what is the best for a novice like myself? Reference has been made in another thread to the SnapOn MT2500. There are several out on eBay at the moment with prices across the board. What kind of options/add-ons/etc does one look for? The includes the years 1970, 1978, 1990, 1994, 2001 and 2004 with both domestic (Chev, Ford, and Pontiac) and foreign (Honda and Subaru) makes.
Any suggestions on what to get (and at what would be considered a reasonable cost) would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Jim Olson 
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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You're not gonna find much in the scammer market for anything older than '80-'81 cars.
IF you're looking at the red brick(Crap-on 2500), you'll want the Domestic Primary AND Troubleshooting cartridges, and the Asian Primary and T-shooting carts, if you want to delve into the Asian cars. Get the latest(newest) carts available, as the newer ones have had most of the software glitches fixed.
If you have a later model car/truck with an electronic trans, get the Transmission Troubleshooting cart. It has some pretty good dealer/field tech input on how to check certain systems, and what the most common causes for specific codes will be.(The regular t-shooting cart has that info too, just not for trans.)
Any one you buy should come with all the connectors that the software will support. OBDII (96>) cars take a "universal" connector, with different "Personality" keys, which should also be included. The older GM(and other makes) cars will have a different connector that will require a separate power cord, usually a cigar lighter adaptor, and a harness for connecting directly to the batt., to power the scammer. OBDII cars power the scammer thru the OBDII connector itself, so no external power source is needed.
A new Crap-on 2500 is around $3000 right now. The new ones are also up-date-able without having to replace the actual cartridges. They just download the newest software directly to the carts. Updates are EXPENSIVE!!($900-$1200) That's why you should get the latest software you can.
I like my red brick but I bought it when they first came out back in the early '90s. OTC has a good scammer, as does Genisys. All are quite pricey for the week-end wrench, unless you start charging yor buddies for scamming their cars!
The BEST is the Crap-On "Modis"...EXCELLENT! IT has a built-in scope, multi-meter, and record functions. It is fairly cheap, too...around $10,000!
I love that one, as it allows me to have one tool to do the same as three others.
Happy Hunting!
I'm gonna have to check emay to see what's being sold...might be some really good deals...
IF you're looking at the red brick(Crap-on 2500), you'll want the Domestic Primary AND Troubleshooting cartridges, and the Asian Primary and T-shooting carts, if you want to delve into the Asian cars. Get the latest(newest) carts available, as the newer ones have had most of the software glitches fixed.
If you have a later model car/truck with an electronic trans, get the Transmission Troubleshooting cart. It has some pretty good dealer/field tech input on how to check certain systems, and what the most common causes for specific codes will be.(The regular t-shooting cart has that info too, just not for trans.)
Any one you buy should come with all the connectors that the software will support. OBDII (96>) cars take a "universal" connector, with different "Personality" keys, which should also be included. The older GM(and other makes) cars will have a different connector that will require a separate power cord, usually a cigar lighter adaptor, and a harness for connecting directly to the batt., to power the scammer. OBDII cars power the scammer thru the OBDII connector itself, so no external power source is needed.
A new Crap-on 2500 is around $3000 right now. The new ones are also up-date-able without having to replace the actual cartridges. They just download the newest software directly to the carts. Updates are EXPENSIVE!!($900-$1200) That's why you should get the latest software you can.
I like my red brick but I bought it when they first came out back in the early '90s. OTC has a good scammer, as does Genisys. All are quite pricey for the week-end wrench, unless you start charging yor buddies for scamming their cars!
The BEST is the Crap-On "Modis"...EXCELLENT! IT has a built-in scope, multi-meter, and record functions. It is fairly cheap, too...around $10,000!
I love that one, as it allows me to have one tool to do the same as three others.
Happy Hunting!
I'm gonna have to check emay to see what's being sold...might be some really good deals...
Joel Adams
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in Forum: All Vettes Discussion
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