Pulling engine codes

[Kevinatorgt]

My 93 astro has 230k on it and sat for years before I got ahold of it. Runs perfectly most of the time but the service engine light comes on intermittently and when it does, the van accelerates more sluggishly, the engine shutters when stopped in gear but idles fine in neutral.

I've heard of pulling engine codes from the six pin plug underneath the steering wheel on the drivers side. A little "Electro Lock" computer chip goes there and is required for the starter motor to get power.

Anyone know about gettengine codes out of this plug? Thanks!

[chevymaher]

I would put some Lucas fuel injector cleaner in the tank and look for vacuum leaks. For an answer to the rough idle in gear.
This is code reading without a scanner. I found on the internet.

To use the paper clip code reading method on OBD1 vehicles only (will not work with OBD2) locate your cars on board diagnostics port - usually under the steering wheel, around your left knee. It resembles an old parallel port for computers.
There will be 12 "pins" or holes on this port - a top row of 6 pins and a bottom row of 6 pins. The upper right hand hole/pin is called Pin A, directly to the left of this pin (top row, too) is Pin B. You will need to take a paper clip and firmly stick one end of it into Pin A and then take the other end of the paper clip and stick it into Pin B. Make sure each end is in there tightly. This is called jumping or jumpering Pin A and B.
Now turn your cars ignition to on or acc. but do not start the car. Now, you will need to watch your SES light in the dash and it will flash intermittenly to show you the codes. For OBD1 the codes are 2 digits - look in your cars repair manual or consult a technician with what your specific codes may mean for your particular car.
The SES light will represent the codes as flashes with pauses between. Short pause between numbers in the same code and then a long pause between codes. Most cars will repeat a code three times before moving on to the next code. So, for example code 21 would look like this: flash flash, short pause, flash, long pause, and that would be repeated twice more and then move on to the next code if there is one.
Note that code 12 means your cars diagnostic system is operating correctly, and your SES light should flash code 12 when it first starts the diagnostics readout. If you do not get a code 12 your diagnostics system is not operating properly. If all you get is a code 12 then there is nothing that the diagnostic system has to report to you - good news.

[Kevinatorgt]

I'll give the fuel inj. Cleaner a try.
A couple of the pins (I believe E, second from left and directly below it) look fried like they've been incorrectly jumped before, the SES light blinks only once then stays on when I jump the pins so I'm assuming the port is messed up and not functioning correctly. I'll try to hunt a code reader down, or maybe try replacing the obd port.

[Phantom]

Jump pins A & B to see if the OBD system is functioning correctly , it should flash (code 12) 3 times before any trouble codes flash , then it should flash code 12 ,,,3 more times , if not flashing code 12 correctly then something is wrong with the OBD1 system , could be the connector itself

[Kevinatorgt]

I've tried jumping pins A and B and I don't get the code 12reader at all, just one flash, then steady on. I'm thinking it's the connector itself.

I wonder if pulling the connector off and jumping the wires manually would help at all.
Would an OBD scanner tool be able to tell whether my OBD system was functioning correctly or not?

[Phantom]

I've tried jumping pins A and B and I don't get the code 12reader at all, just one flash, then steady on. I'm thinking it's the connector itself.

I wonder if pulling the connector off and jumping the wires manually would help at all.
Would an OBD scanner tool be able to tell whether my OBD system was functioning correctly or not?

A steady light may indicate you have a code that needs to be read .
Try checking your fuses , I think it is the power accessories socket , the ones that look like cig lighters , they are located on the side of the center console , the fuse that powers them is the same fuse the protects the OBD1 diag connector , if someone jumped it incorrectly they may have blown the fuse , check the fuse to see if it is ok , may as well dismount the connector and see if if there is damage , you can get another connector and replace that one if in bad shape

[Kevinatorgt]

Ok that sounds promising, thanks for the advice Phantom! Didn't think to check the obd fuse.
My astro has no center console but I see a little 3pin connector coming out of the right side of the engine cover underneath the heater controls. Assuming that's the power outlet.
Know where to find a fuse diagram? I don't have the owners manual either. Thanks again!

Kevin

[Phantom]

On older cars it was the cig lighter or horn-DM fuse , sometimes more than one as there is a under hood fuse box as well under the dash , owners manual can be downloaded from home page

[Kevinatorgt]

Great! Downloading it now. Thanks.