About to use my Tech 1a for the first time, pointers? ---

[alwayscode390]

About to use my Tech 1a for the first time.

From what I understand, just plugging it in will let me read the codes ... then to erase the codes I need to insert a cartridge?

Will it tell me which cartridge to use?

I guess I threw a code when my floorboard got wet last week, it flashes "SYS" where my instant mileage is now.

Also, I want to try and erase my INF RST code while I am at it to see if it pops back up until I get a chance to put some dielectric grease on my sensors.

I probably wont get a reply until after I tried using it, so I may post back up with any issues I run into.

Thanks! ---

[Roadster]

will be watching this thread closely as my
Tech 1 should be coming soon, so keep us posted. Thx

[alwayscode390]

I came across my owners manual that I decided to study on tonight before I went out and played around.

The weather started looking real bad and I didn't want to feel rushed.

I'll make sure to update as I go ---

[Roadster]

It should be interesting to say the least, mine is a Tech 1 and I forget what the difference is between the the 1 and the 1A which you have. I imagine that yours may be able to accomplish more.......I might have to get some type of power cord to use the unit. But it has the cartridges necessary to get the info....
We will have to compare notes........have fun.....

[mike100]

You will plug the needed cartridge in before hooking it up top the car. The mass-storage cartridge is a more modern big memory chip style that contains many of the earlier cartridges in an all-in-one unit. I have not been able to communicate with my ABS unit with my bosch cartridge (maybe its bad), but he mass-storage pretty much works for everything else.

it will give you choices to enter if you want to read codes, erase codes, look at live sensor data, record while running, or a few other choices.

[alwayscode390]

I know once I get into it , it will make sense ( I hope ).

For some reason its confusing the hell out of me with how to know what cartridge to use.

I'll start it up with the "mass-storage 30003" connected to the bottom... that helped, thanks Mike!

Then, I'll go to trouble codes.

I have the "body systems" and "ecm" cartridges. I'm thinking body systems will take out my INF RST light, and ecm will take out the SYS light?

I also have the "brake systems" cartridge with the bosch adapter, and the "eeprom v2.0" cartridge which I honestly have no clue what it does.

How do you know when to use a cartridge up top? I think they are smaller then the ones I have anyway so I don't think I ever will need that, right? ---

[mike100]

For the 2nd cartridge...I read about it once, but I don't know what diagnostic application used it. Some of the older ones needed it- remember in the mid 80's that computer memory was mucho tiny and probably the add-on 2nd cartridge is a leftover from the 16kb days.

The body one interfaces with the CCM computer- I tried mine once- you can control the radio without touching the radio- it was fun. Did you know the factory Bose radio has a l/r balance control? you don't have a knob for it, but the Tech1 software has a function to fade/balance the sound to just one speaker so you can test them individually. The mass-storage unit has body system functions built into it so you may never use the dedicated one. I think it may be possible the dedicated modules may have some functions the 300003 cartridge doesn't, but for the most part, you will be using that MSC.

To hook it up- get power thru the lighter and ign key to the on position. See if it prompts you for the year of the car and the vin code for the engine- once that is selected, Don't select the self-test mode (hit 'no') try to read live data (the engine doesn't have to be running, but it is more interesting if it is). you scroll thru the screens with the arrow keys. The exit key brings you back a level and you can get to the screen to read/erase codes. It makes sense once you get communication with the vehicle. The hardest part will be accessing the stupid ALDL plug under the dash. Mine is unscrewed so I can grab it easier.

The best part is that you can really easily diagnose many other early GM cars and trucks too.

[alwayscode390]

Mike you just made it seem like this is going to be fun!

You cleared up a lot of questions I had.

Will it say LT5 , or what is the vin code for our cars?

Thanks so much for your time and help ... I hope to try it out tomorrow. ---

[Dynomite]

Interesting Thread

[mike100]

the 8th digit of the VIN number is the engine code. It is J for our cars. You can also select engine type rather than by vin, but just make sure it says 5.7 dohc when you confirm the selection.