What OBD reader to use for 94' Sidekick ?

onestoptakeaway · 06-24-2009, 10:28 PM

Hi,

Does anyone know is the 94' sidekick using OBD1 or OBD2 reader ? The last time my mechanic's told me that my sidekick is too old for his reader and what he did was connect 2 pins from the wire socket and count the number of blinks of the "Check Engine" light on the panel than cross reference with his manual to know what goes wrong.

onestoptakeaway · 06-25-2009, 03:14 AM

Does anyone owns a copy of the Haynes repair manual ? Does it mention anything on which socket pins to connect and reading the code by counting the "check engine" blinks ?

tusong200 · 06-25-2009, 08:05 AM

Check Jerry's website. Go to any of his posts "jtgh". He has a link in his signature. All info re: reading codes with CEL is there....

grc1 · 06-25-2009, 09:07 AM

Hi, your 94 tracker/suki uses the OBD1 .

As for a manual, get a factory manual off feabay or some where . They are far more helpfull than hanes or chilton and can be had at almost the same price. I have non factory manuals and find then far to generic and inacuate. So please save your money and go for a shop manual. It is well worth it.

jtgh · 06-25-2009, 01:14 PM

yes, EBAY, search "GEo tracker factory service manual" 94 coveres both 8v and 16v 100% youll never be sorry you bought it. if you do DIY.

there are no OTC scan tools for OBd1 , this car. (otc =over the counter)
please, bless you for finding me wrong on that.!

only tool is Vetronix Tech1 , used, for $1000 ( 1 or 2 show up on fleebay per year)
and no longer made and co. was bought out.

blink page,

Check Engine Lamp stuck ON?

jtgh · 06-25-2009, 01:17 PM

store rags are ok for general info.
and are a good backup ,for photos and warnings.....

but they mix up the parts in a toxic soup. show wrong distributor for wrong year.
they mix generations. very bad . and can be a danger to you.

the FSM focuses like a LASER beam. on YOUR car.

onestoptakeaway · 06-25-2009, 02:58 PM

Hi Jerry,

Your website has almost every info we need ....LOL Thanx.

The question now is now to read the blinks to match the code number ?

BTW, I am printing all the pages to make an DIY manual ....LOL.

Rhinoman · 06-25-2009, 03:27 PM

I'm working on a version of my software that will be able to read the diagnostic port using an ALDL style interface. The programme will be free but I will not be able to release the source code as large parts of it have been used commercially.

jtgh · 06-25-2009, 04:23 PM

all we need is a logger.
plug it in , drive , and log.
go home print /view.

CEL.? on?
place the jumper
read flashes key on. or running or driving. (and even cranking it has special features)
read the flashes.

flash, pause, flash flash is code 12 (normal)

key, no start, with jumper, is memory dump. (stored errors)

Rhinoman · 06-25-2009, 04:55 PM

It has a datalogger built in, it saves the files as a CSV format which is a text format and can be opened with lots of different software packages.
I'm currently reworking it to use the Suzuki protocol and because it was originally designed to work with my own ECU design. My ECU would broadcast data so the software doesn't currently poll for data. Its a rainy day project so its pressing rather slowly at the moment.
I'm making it available because I'm moving on to design a new 32-bit ECU with a lot of hardware acceleration.