Anyone used WinALDL or something like it for running diagnostic program on an 82.  If so did it help, did you make your own cables did you purchase them and from whom?

Never heered of it meself. There ARE PC programs out there for auto diagnosis, but the only ones I've seen are OBDII based....there may be some that wil werk on the older, non-OBDII systems.
You can prolly buy a Snappy scammer off ebay for almost nothing these days, and have full diag capabilities, and two-way commands, in some cases, as well as troubleshooting tips/info.
Just a thought.

As an example....Here's one. It doesn't have the Troubleshooting cartridge for Engine, but I have a couple extras...
Adams' Apple2011-08-01 10:22:50

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I have a copy of winaldl loaded but have never used it. I had planned on buying a cable rather than making one but  I found an old aldl scanner for a reasonable price and have used it instead.  The winaldl looks pretty good but keep in mind that the 82 computer is pretty primitive and doesnt offer near the information that todays computers offer.  the logging capability of winaldl is really nice, let it read everything and then you can look at the details from the log rather than trying to look at one thing at a time as I have to do with the scanner. Id be interested in how you like winaldl if you use it. Crossfire19822011-08-01 12:27:55

I have a scanner that does both (OBDII and OBDI) but I cannot figure out why I have low gas mileage and ruff idle.  Mileage we are talking about is 11mpg.  That is way out of line for a crossfire.  Had the car into two shops both made improvements and justified their work by saying my performance was normal for a crossfire.  I know that is not true as I have a friend in town that has a 82 CE like mine and his idles smooth at 500-600 RPM and get in the high teens for mileage.  So I know where not to take a crossfire.   I thought I would try the software and wanted to see if anyone has used one before.  I trust the guys on this forum.  Looking on the net is useful but the trust level is not the same.  I'm kind of fed up with professionals who seem not to be all that good with early fuel injections systems.

The problem with finding someone who really knows crossfire injection is that it was only used for 3 years and relatively few technicians had the opportunity to be trained or work on them.  They are different animals and relatively rare compared to carb or tuned port injection.  The good mileage on the crossfire cars was a combination of the injection and the overdrive transmission.  Are you sure your transmission is going into overdrive? Crossfire19822011-08-02 04:05:52

I'm sure it is because when I let off the gas it feel like it is free wheeling.  Only thing with the transmission is between 2nd and 3rd it is soft on the shift.  By that I mean if I'm slowly accelerating it will lag a little between shifts and the engine will rev up like if you were slow on the clutch in a standard transmission.  If I'm accelerating medium to hard it shift on que no delay.  But like I said it will coast for ever.  82 corvettes are interesting that is for sure. 

Not having anyone close to confirm what you are doing and how your car is acting makes it tougher.  At least I have one 82CE close that does run really good so I know what it can run like.  Otherwise I maybe would have take the professionals word for it. 

The two shop when they got done both told me it was running great which meant it is pointless to argue because they do not have the talent to fix it.  At idle it just seems that it is not firing on all cylinders.  By the way both have the same answer "replace the crossfire system".

There is one more mechanic that I know of that says he knows crossfires.  Runs a repair and used corvette only car sales lot.  I was down there to see if he had a corvette someone wanted.  Talked with him a little.   His comment was when was I going to stop dumping parts on it and get it fixed.  Pissed me off a little but not sure he is wrong.  However part are less expensive.  He has a good rep but the people that recommend him do not own crossfires.

Wires are new but the rest of the electrical is not, coil etc.  Could a good analyzer check that out? 

I have a mechanic that is great I use him on all of my cars.   He would not give up on my corvette until it was fixed but I would not dump it on him because I feel it could be a crossfire only issue and he lacks the experience.   He is an independent and would put way to many hours in it after quoting me a tuneup price.  (I would not take advantage of him that way)  I could just take it down to his place and have it put on the engine analyzer that should be able to confirm if all of the electrical stuff is working.  Correct?  Ideas Please?
tb2k82ce2011-08-02 08:31:31

Gilbert,

Thanks a lot that maybe helpful.  Would like to try it anyway. 

I will find a place to purchase a set of cables and download the software. So it may take a couple of weeks but it would be good to have something to compare it with.