MysticTealTA

iTrader: (1)

I had my safety and emissions inspection done today and they said they had trouble starting the car, but assumed it was something with the alarm. I've had it a month and have yet to have trouble with it, so this suprised me. Well, despite driving it home just fine, now I can't get it to start. I highly doubt it has anything to do with the alarm as it cranks fine, but just doesn't catch. Obviously I'm assuming there is something wrong with air, spark or fuel, but any ideas on where I should check first? It hasn't thrown any codes as the check engine light isn't on. My boyfriend is going to check spark and fuel pressure later so perhaps that will shed some light on the issue.

Sunset'01Z

iTrader: (10)

air isnt a problem, the engine is going to breathe. hooking up a fuel pressure gauge is good but you really need a scan tool to see what your ignition system is doing. is the car an auto or manual?

stevo92z28

iTrader: (22)

Already checked it out it was a bad ignition relay.

Sunset'01Z

iTrader: (10)

how did you find it?

nice 92 btw, friend at school has one like yours with a carbureted 383 and tko600. its a bad bitch!! lol.

stevo92z28

iTrader: (22)

While i was under the hood checking the fuses, i just swaped it with the fog lights relay and it started right up so to the parts store for a new relay and all is good now.

Im really not common enough with OBD2 vehicles but your telling me a scanner can tell you stuff like this? Because ive been thinking about investing in one for my daily driver also friends / familys vehicles.

Thanks for the compliment, i wish my car was a bad bitch unfortunately it can only run about par with 4th gen ls1 cars stock...though with the 2.73s in my girl's T/A i can rape hers(till 75ish)! lol.

Sunset'01Z

iTrader: (10)

it wont tell you a relay is bad, but it could give you data if a coil is acting up or if you have extra high resistance in the path on one cyl. live datastream is nice too, you can see what all of your sensors are doing, long and short term fuel trims, iat, o2's, maf, tps, etc. if you work on cars at all they are great to have if you can afford one. and if you do, try to get one with a lab scope on it so you can see stuff like the firing lines on the ignition system. are they necessary? no, but very helpful.

MysticTealTA

iTrader: (1)

I thought it might be useful if I/we were going to buy one, to buy one with a programming capability. I know people talk highly of the Predator programmer, does it do any scanning? Any recommendations on just a regular scanner?

autotrix

iTrader: (5)

The best of course for normal diagnosis would be the GM Tech2. Very expensive, between program updates and the cables needed you will break the bank!

jmilz28

iTrader: (13)

A scanner would not have helped you find this problem. Computers are a tool, not a technician.

Sunset'01Z

iTrader: (10)

i did say that btw..

MysticTealTA

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I understand that it wouldn't have helped this problem, but it does seem like a useful tool to have at hand. Any advice on an AFFORDABLE quality scanner?

Sunset'01Z

iTrader: (10)

what do you consider affordable?

MysticTealTA

iTrader: (1)

Something a couple hundred dollars, preferably less. The Predator programmer would be a little expensive for my wallet right now.

Sunset'01Z

iTrader: (10)

those programmers dont do any kind of scanning. what i'mt alking about is a tool that costs in the ballpark of 2k and up. its a mini computer that has more gadgets on it than you can shake a stick at. if you do alot of work on cars its a good investment. or you can get just a code reader for a little over 100 bucks at the local parts store.

rd_ls1_z

I believe AutoTap has a product that can perform a more in depth reading of the vehicles sensors than just a code reader from a parts store. If I remember correctly from a friend of mine, it costs about $200 (?) . Possible alternative, but I would save for HPTuners or EFI Live, just my opinion.