I'm looking for a code scanner/reader that will work with my 81.  Does anyone have a product you have used that you like?

Thanks!

Carl

Sure!! How much$$ ya got! I use a Crap-on 'Modis' at the shop, and I have an older Crap-On MT-2500 scanner (the red brick), and an OTC Enhanced Monitor 4000 that I keep at home. The Modis is a steal @ around $8000, with all the software. Cheap, huh? But seriously, there are others out there for far less $$ that will scan for codes, and give you sensor data. Some will give you troubleshooting tips, some won't. I can't think of any particular brands, but if you check with some of the 'Vette parts vendors, I know some of them offer reasonably priced units for the DIY'er. Some of the tool guys(Matco, Crap-On, etc) get trade-ins that they sell for a good price(I paid $600 for the OTC in 1990). Almost any of them support vehicles back to 1980, but some of the newer units stop at '89-90. You might find a deal one something at a pawn shop, but that's a 'buyer beware' deal. Just do some homework on whatever unit you think you might be interested in, and make sure it will do what you want/need it to do, and determine if the software is updatable. Hope you find something without having to take out a loan!

Summit Racing has a nice cheap scanner.  You can read OBDI for GM, Ford, and Chrysler, and all OBDII cars.  It will give you basic serial data as well as codes.  It's about 600.

If  you only want to read codes on an 81, use a paper clip to short the A and B connectors at the ALDL, and count the "Check Engine" light flashes.