OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

[Michael W.]

Good morning everyone,

I am a new member as of yesterday. My grandfather passed a way a few years ago and I recently bought his 1986 Corvette. He was a very active member in the NCRS and had owned a 57, 63, and then the 86. I am very excited to carry on his tradition with the NCRS and going to car meets. Him and I had so many good memories working on the cars and going to shows. I was looking through his tools and was surprised to see that he did not have an OBD 1 scanner. Does anyone have a recommendation on a decent OBD 1 scanning tool? It would be nice to have some live data from it as well but not needed.

Thank you all,
Mike

[Edward J.]

Re: OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

Mike take a look on Amazon, you may find something cheap that does OBD 1 and 2. Or EBay also.

[Michael W.]

Re: OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

Thanks, I do have a OBD 2 already so was just looking for the OBD 1. Do you have any recommendations on brands of OBD 1? I did kick around just getting a cheap one like you said but I figured if I was going to spend some money might as well get a nice one that could be more helpful in the long run.

[Edward J.]

Re: OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

Thanks, I do have a OBD 2 already so was just looking for the OBD 1. Do you have any recommendations on brands of OBD 1? I did kick around just getting a cheap one like you said but I figured if I was going to spend some money might as well get a nice one that could be more helpful in the long run.

I would do some searching ,there maybe something used out there ,maybe something like a GM OTC scan tools for OBD 1 floating around on EBay. Other wise as many times as you will use it over the years it will be sitting most of the time. Something that gives you data to help troubleshooting.

[Joe L.]

Re: OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

Thanks, I do have a OBD 2 already so was just looking for the OBD 1. Do you have any recommendations on brands of OBD 1? I did kick around just getting a cheap one like you said but I figured if I was going to spend some money might as well get a nice one that could be more helpful in the long run.

Michael------


I can tell you this much: I have an Innova OBD I and II scan tool. It works great on OBD II. However, I have found it to be essentially useless for OBD I. Among other attempts to use it, I have tried it on my 1992 Corvette. Useless. The strange thing is that the scanner comes complete with all the different interconnecting cables for the different ports used by different manufacturers during the OBD I era. So, they're all useless, too.

[Keith B.]

Re: OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

I would look for a good used Snap on Scanner nick named the “brick” MT2500. It’s a great tool for older computer controlled cars.

[Michael W.]

Re: OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

Thank you all for your input and suggestions. I will do some looking over the next week. I look forward to chatting with you all in the years to come!

[Gary C.]

Re: OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

Michael,

Several of the knowledgeable C4 guys referred me to the Vetronix Tech 1A with a Mass Storage Cartridge PN 02003137. The Mass Storage Cartridge covers all the different functions such as drivetrain, body, brakes, etc. Otherwise separate cartridges are required.

Have been told some of the OBD1 scanners such as the Snap On MT2400 Vantage will read and reset some of the codes, but not all of them. Only the Tech 1 and 1A will reset all of the codes.

According to a retired Corvette shop owner friend the Snap On MT2400 Vantage is the scanner for C4's. He suggested looking for the MT2400 in Pawn Shops. Then making sure they'll power on before buying and checking to make sure they have the latest software update. He said you can find out from Snap On what was the last software update for the MT2400 unit was.

The Shop Manual refers to the Vetronix Tech 1 and 1A as Tech 1. You might want to get a PDF version of the service manual and then OCR the PDF file so you can search on Tech 1 to see all the various uses of the Vetronix Tech 1A.

JMTCW,

Gary
....

[Michael W.]

Re: OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

Hey Gary,

Thank you for the response I was doing some looking around and was on the fence between Vetronix Tech 1A or the Snap. I thank you for the advise you gave on the two. I do have a service manual that my grandfather had for the car which has been great as I currently just finished doing the valve stem seals.

Take care,
Mike

[Gary C.]

Re: OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

Mike,

Glad to pass on the sage advice of several C4 experts I asked what would be best for my '92.

BTW, welcome to NCRS. Good luck.

Gary
....

[Dave S.]

Re: OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

Michael,
There is a fellow in Southern California named Bob Radke who runs a company named OBD Diagnostics. He is also an NCRS Member who owns a couple of very special American Heritage race cars. Bob gave the module from my Ramjet crate motor in my hot rod a retune. He says he is able to tweak the factory settings to noticeably enhance performance. He seems very knowledgeable and it may be worth speaking with him. His contact info is on the internet.

[Keith B.]

Re: OBD 1 scanner for 1986 Vette

for the ten years I daily drove my 94 the Snap On Mt2400 was used a lot. its what the techs used when these cars where new. So that is good enough for me.