one thing i don't particularly like about my 90 is the computer in it. drives me crazy as to what may be wrong. very easy on my 75 as it is precomputer.

with almost every thing that has to be checked you need a scanner to read what the sensors are reading. i bought a snapon mt2500 which reads the codes and shows all the info but thats about the extent of it.

i am looking for a different scanner that can do more and have heard that the matco determinator is an excellent one. anybody ever use one or have any opinions that might help. thanks for any info.
eddie208752008-02-10 16:58:27

I've never used the Determinator, so I can't add anything for it.
Do you have the "Troubleshooter" cartridge for your 2500? The main("Primary") cartridge is simply a communication protocol between the vehicle, and the scanner. The Troubleshooting cartridges give you the specs, troubleshooting tips, and TSB info. If you don't have the Tblshooting cartridge(s), I'll look and see if I have an extra one. If I do, I'll send it to ya.

btw...sorry, but your P/M got dumped before I could respond...then I totally forgot...

Is the SnapOn MT2500 a good scanner?  If so, what should I look for in a package/kit to be useful on "The Beast" ('90 ZR-1) and "The SilverBuckboard" ('01 F-150)...???  There are a bunch of them listed on eBay at the moment.

The 2500 is the standard that all other compare to. It has, in the last 4-5 years, been unseated as the "King" by other tools from Crap-On. The Modis is now the ultimate...at an ultimate price.
Then there is the Solus, which is a more moderately priced scammer, with some added features such as graphing capabilities. There is also a MT2500/hybrid(for lack of a better term) that does the same as the 2500, but also has graphing capabilities, but it is not as good as the Solus, or even the Vantage Power Graphing Multi-Meter.

For the everyday, just want to piddle on yer own vehicles, the 2500 is a good deal, IF you get all of the latest software/cartridges. It is the Troubleshooting info that is worth the money on ANY scan tool. The scam-tool itself is nothing more than a glorified code reader/data acquisition device.
There are many other scam-tools out there, such as the Determinator, but I haven't used any of them, except the OTC "Enhanced Monitor 400E", which I use here at the house.
For shop use, I have the MT2500, and the shop has a new Solus Pro. I sold the shop I worked at before this one on the Modis...I got spoiled by the Modis...it is the absolute BEST, imho.

Any scammer you look at just be sure it will cover the year models you plan to use it on. Some of the newer ones will not support anything older than 1995(or before OBDII). Make sure you are getting the latest software with it. A good scammer will have live data acquisition capabilities...not all do. Check to see if it will also be able to over-ride computer signals, so you can operate individual components, such a the electric fans, shift solenoids for the trans, Idle speed solenoid, etc.

Thanks for the "Scammer-101 info" Joel.  I know nothing about these units so a few more questions come to mind.

"Personality Keys" is a Crap-On deal...OBDII stuff. It allows for the same OBDII connector to communicate with every manufacturer's vehicle protocol. The keys just fit into a slot on the OBDII connector, and basically "rewire" the connector to fit the application. Some also have resistors, or even a small chip.

If the specs only show OBDII, normally it will not work on the '95-older cars, but...you should always ask first. Some just don't advertise OBDI capabilities, as it is not as common now, and not really a selling point.
Any new scanner should come with the OBDII connector. It is really the only connector needed for '95-newer cars, as they vehicle connectors are all standardized to OBDII specs.
Some vehicles will also have a manufacturer specific connector, as well as OBDII. Those also have mfg specific software/com protocols.(mostly the European cars-Mercedes/BMW/Audi/VW)

The '95-'96 cars may or MAY NOT be OBDII compliant, you need to check the connector to be sure. The gov allowed some mfgs a little leeway in getting up to speed on the OBDII stuff.

On a lighter note....someone walked off with our new SOLUS-PRO scammer this weekend!!!!!!!!!! It was here when they locked up Fri nite...gone Sat morn!!!! How's THAT fer a kick in the head?!?!?!?!? That's the SECOND scammer someone has made off with in the last few months!!!
The manager here thinks one of the employees walked out with it...I think he's prolly right.....can you say, "Needy mooney para me beer, vato"?

Thanks again.  I've been looking for a unit that I can use on "The Beast" mainly.  If it works on "The SilverBuckboard" that would be a plus and on my bride's "Scooby-doo" (an '04 Subaru Outback) that would be a bonus.

The MT2500, with the latest software, would support ALL of your vehicles, Jim. Of course, the software for the ScoobyDoo would be included, if the scammer you get has the latest, All-n-One Primary cartridge. These are programmable, too, so you don't have to buy new cartridges/chips like we used to...they just plug them into a port on the 'puter, and d-load the latest upgrades on-site.

I'm not sure what support/troubleshooting the 2500 would have on a LT5, tho...I know it will pull codes/live data, but don't know about any troubleshooting info...I can check on that tho...never really even thought about it!
Now I just gotta know!

Is the GM-1 adapter the same as the OBD-I adapter?

There are two GM connectors/adapters...One is for the REALLY early cars, like the '81-'82s(5-pin...I think), and then a 12 pin connector starting in '85-'86. I'm not sure which one Crap-on calls the GM1, but I think it is the 12 pin. I'll look at mine when I get to work. My OTC Monitor I have here has the connectors labeled differently, by application. I'll check and post in about 45 minutes or so, when I hit the shop.


The "GM1" connector is the 12 pin...you could call it OBDI. THis is what your Zcar will have, Jim. The other cars, 95>, will have the OBDII, 16 pin connector. Adams' Apple2008-02-14 11:12:30