OBD1 scopes

Guys,

I work on mostly OBD2 type vehicles but I am starting to get more and more OBD1 cars. I have a Verus Pro scope. My question is.. is it worth the money to buy adapters for my scope to look at OBD1 vehicles or should I continue to count the blinks of the Service Engine Soon lights? I also am wondering can you look at fuel trims on fuel injected OBD1 vehicles?
Thanks for your input

Yes. Get the OBD I adapter. There is not near as much info/capabilities as OBD II, but you CAN read some engine data pids.

I would really think hard if tooling up for OBD1 is worth it, these vehicles are already at 20 years old and the numbers on the road will pretty soon fall off the cliff and those that do remain will be in the hands of guys who have their own scantools.

If you do tool up for OBD1 then I would look for secondhand scan tools rather than buy adaptors.

Dave101 wrote: but I am starting to get more and more OBD1 cars

Clearly, you still have a need for OBD-I. I do, as well. Adapters sell for less than $20, each, on Ebay....A whole set for $150.

Clearly, you still have a need for OBD-I. I do, as well. Adapters sell for less than $20, each, on Ebay....A whole set for $150.[/quote]

I am looking for attachments that fit my scope, but I am wondering what data pids can you see? And is it worth it?

The pids you get vary. It was up to the Manufacture's discretion.

My personal truck happens to be OBD-1. (1991 Chevy K2500) I'll connect it, tomorrow, and post a screenshot.

You asked, specifically, about fuel trim. Block Learn and Integrator are your LTFT and STFT. 128 being Zero. Anything above is positive. Anything below is negative.

GM was fantastic about providing data even in the OBD1 days. Always appreciated that.

Dunno how many OBD1 Fords you see, but those adapters are absolutely worth having. Many applications provide data, and even if they don't, being able to do the KOEO Self-Test and KOER Self-Test is worth it all on its own.

Hi,

Apologies for the necroposting on this one, but it seems to be what I'm looking for from the folks with the knowledge.

I am an avid shadetree kinda guy that started way late. I do my own diag and repairs but have never opened up an engine.

Vehicle is a 1995 Saturn SC2 Coupe, 242K. Orig owner.
OBDI (ALDL) diag port, OBDI PCM
Rebuilt engine
I have an old actron 9145 that reads OBDII and OBDI with an adapter cable (Actron).  It accesses and displays quite a bit of data, but nowhere close to what is shown in Chad's post above in the screenshots. 
I know every PCM may support different PIDs and that not all are easily accessible without the appropriate diagnostics tools. 
I'd love to have access to all of the information shown in Chad's screenshots but I know it is unrealistic to assume any reader can access all of that other than a Tech I or Tech Ii from my Saturn. 

Or is there a chance that the Snap-On reader shown in his posts might be able to pull as much as a Tech II?

Not just looking for how many PIDs I can access; obviously I'd like to have the capability of pulling as many as possible as I plan to keep this vehicle alive for many years, and I figure that if I'm going to get a real diagnostic tool for it, now would be a good time as they are starting to disappear. 

I am thinking Tech II or Tech II knock off, or a capable snap-on scanner (used) that won't break the bank for a DIYer. As of the time of this post, I believe the snap-on in Chad's pictures is about $300 used if you can find it. And that's without the adapters. I believe a used Tech II setup is about the same. 

Ultimately my questions are: 

1) does anyone have experience using scan tools to extract OBD1 info from Saturns (S series)?

2) what are your recommendations regarding a specific scan tool to purchase? 

3) does the snap-on product in Chad's post come with the software for the PC or is it tool only? Or was he using a different software package, and if so, what is it? 

4) Tech II software...extra $$?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Derf