94 computer

[rufrider76]

i have heard that tere is 2 diffrent computers that wentintothe 94 ta's. how doyou tellthe diffrence. can you jump one with a paperclip and get the codes thru the ses ligt. also i am looking at the lt1 programing buy donoy know if the cord will run from ,y laptopt to communicate the changes.

[Injuneer]

To my knowledge, there was only one PCM model used in the 94's, and it is also the same one used in the 95's. It differed from the 93 ECM in that it had a "fixed" chip, added controls for the transmission, and can NOT use the "short the pins" method to retrieve DTC codes. You need a real "scanner" to do that - Auto Xray, ScanMaster and higher cost version of the Actron, along with professional tools from Snap-On or the OPD dealer standard Tech I and Tech II.

In software, you can scan the PCM using a laptop using software from FreeScan (free download), TTS DataMaster (free download, limited use), Diacom, and pcmcomm (bundled with upgraded versions of LT1_Edit).

To actually program a 94/95 PCM, you need LT1_Edit or one other system that escapes my mind. You will need a specifc cable to interface the 12-pin ALDL connector (16-pin on 1995). They are available from AKM Electronics.

[rufrider76]

okay so i am looking at a scan tool that the hyper tech pp does not offer. plus the ability for more changes when on the dyno and it is cheaper. seems like a no brainer. i also have found pcmforless.com. he claims he will e-mail programs to you for ever if you have lt1 edit and the cord. seems to good to be true has anyone used this software and does it work as it should. i do not plan on gttibg it and driving down the road and getting a miricle tune but i do ewxpect o decent one from pcmforless and the ability to fine tune when i take it to the dyno. is this what i am getting because that is what it looks like

[PingMe]

I have a 94 Z28 Convertible with the 16 pin ODBII style connector. (not a 12 pin) I need to be able to read codes from it. My father-in-law already hooked up his ODBII scanner and told me that I need a new PCM. I have since learned that this system is actually not an ODBII system. Has anyone done a comparision on scanners and code readers? Even cheap ones?

[Injuneer]

Yours is the first 94 I have ever heard of with a 16-pin ALDL connector. That was a "1995 only" situation. Most companies - e.g. AutoXray - are aware of the 95 problem, and sell an adapter. The people who make the cables for the software scanners like FreeScan and TTS DataMaster are also aware, and make a 95-specific cable. You might want to tlak to Andrew at AKM electronics (link in my writeup) to see if he has ever heard of a 94 with a 16-pin.

As far as scanners, I tried to do a writeup on what is available, and I have it online, but most of the "links" are outdated, and a lot of the model numbers have changed. But you might want to look it over for some ideas:

http://members.aol.com/FWForsythePE/HowTo/Scanner.htm

[PingMe]

Wow I must be special. I really should make pictures! Do you know if the picture on the shoebox site that shows wiring a ODBI scanner to the ODBII plug works? Thanks for the info the links may not all work but the model numbers and the info is gold!

[Rob B (shoebox)]

Wow I must be special. I really should make pictures! Do you know if the picture on the shoebox site that shows wiring a ODBI scanner to the ODBII plug works? Thanks for the info the links may not all work but the model numbers and the info is gold!

Yeah, I know it works.

So, digit 10 of your VIN is an "R" and you have a 16 pin diagnostic connector and you are sure no one has made any wiring changes to the car? Like Fred, this is the first I have seen of this.

[PingMe]

Nope - steered wrong on this. I got under the dash this morning and counted them myself. Square plug with 12 holes. Definitly not an ODBII connector. Still need to scan it though - any recomendations? Buy the AKM cable and use a laptop, or is there a better cheaper way?
Thanks

[rufrider76]

just got my cable from them. i installed the soft ware and am ready to go. i havbe downloaded free scan and tts soft ware to my laptop. i have heard the tts will not work for me because i am ising a usb adadptor not the old commador 64 stye. anyone have info on this. oh and i have a no spark comdition so i can not get the car started. it there anyway that i can scan the system when it is not running