'97 L29 ---Annoying Idle

[Schurkey]

Unfortunately I don't own a scanner (yet). Currently DashCommand is my only view into the digital innards. And even Dashcommend is limited for the '97 L29 i.e., "Advanced PIDS" are not available. What scanner would you gents recommend for a cheapskate DIY hack? Is there a unit available in the + - $300 price range equipped with a decent set of troubleshooting functions/features? I might be willing to up the ante to $400 but my internal whining voice usually kicks-in at this expenditure amount (nauseatingly whiny when related to tax payments).

About two months ago, having damaged my previous scan tool (Snap-On MTG2500) I bought a two-generations-newer Snap-On Solus Pro for just under $350; with an OBD-2 connector, some Asian OBD-1 connectors, the black plastic storage case, a rechargeable battery that isn't completely fried, and the battery charger. There's more Solus Pros on eBay, prices ranging from under $150 (bare tools, no adapters, no battery, no bigass plastic suitcase to store it in) to about a thousand dollars. Mostly in the $600--$800 range, but quite a few sell for less. Many tools--like mine--have the 8.2 software which is good to '07 vehicles. Newer software--up to 2016 or 2017, but not newer than that--costs extra. Support for the Solus Pro has already ended, there are NO MORE UPDATES including updating my 8.2 to 16.x or whatever the newest version is. What you buy is what you get.

My only "real" disappointment is that although the 8.2 software talks to the ABS module for codes, clearing codes, reading wheel speed and other ABS data, it doesn't allow "automated ABS bleeding" on my '97 K2500. 14.2 does. I don't know when Snap-On put that feature in the software. Either version does ABS bleeding on a 2003 Trailblazer, though.

The trick is to get software new enough for the vehicles you're going to work on, including European which also costs extra. And then get the older OBD-1 adapters for the vehicles you're going to work on. If you're only doing OBD-2 stuff, all you need is the OBD-2 adapter plus some "Personality keys" which configure the adapter to the vehicle. Some vehicles or procedures don't need a personality key, some do.

A decent scan tool will talk to the engine computer, the body computer, work with ABS, Air Bags, the instrument cluster, and more (depending on the vehicle. Older vehicles have only the engine computer, and maybe an ABS system.)

 

[81nascar]

Unfortunately I don't own a scanner (yet). Currently DashCommand is my only view into the digital innards. And even Dashcommend is limited for the '97 L29 i.e., "Advanced PIDS" are not available. What scanner would you gents recommend for a cheapskate DIY hack? Is there a unit available in the + - $300 price range equipped with a decent set of troubleshooting functions/features? I might be willing to up the ante to $400 but my internal whining voice usually kicks-in at this expenditure amount (nauseatingly whiny when related to tax payments).

There are some free or low type cost scanners on the internet you can download to a phone or computer.. I've seen them in action on youtube. Not perfect ,but could get you close. I know with some idle issues it will very rarely show up in a scanner graph unless you really know what you are looking for. If it was miss firing enough to break up the idle it would set a code ... You would have to study the ignition tables along with some others.. If you have no codes then you have to do some detective work.. However if you want to tackle this issues and future others you will need some kind of scanner.. This website https://easyautodiagnostics.com/ has some great how to on testing stuff.. Check it out. It will save you some time.. Wouldn't hurt to clean some stuff out.. Good move on the distributor . I went billet as well. Much better piece than that plastic stock pos.. Just take your time and double check all your stuff ... Check all grounds if you can. With being that old and that many miles stuff happens.. Simple dirty grounds can run you for a loop.. Whoohooo!!

 

[81nascar]

About two months ago, having damaged my previous scan tool (Snap-On MTG2500) I bought a two-generations-newer Snap-On Solus Pro for just under $350; with an OBD-2 connector, some Asian OBD-1 connectors, the black plastic storage case, a rechargeable battery that isn't completely fried, and the battery charger. There's more Solus Pros on eBay, prices ranging from under $150 (bare tools, no adapters, no battery, no bigass plastic suitcase to store it in) to about a thousand dollars. Mostly in the $600--$800 range, but quite a few sell for less. Many tools--like mine--have the 8.2 software which is good to '07 vehicles. Newer software--up to 2016 or 2017, but not newer than that--costs extra. Support for the Solus Pro has already ended, there are NO MORE UPDATES including updating my 8.2 to 16.x or whatever the newest version is. What you buy is what you get.

My only "real" disappointment is that although the 8.2 software talks to the ABS module for codes, clearing codes, reading wheel speed and other ABS data, it doesn't allow "automated ABS bleeding" on my '97 K2500. 14.2 does. I don't know when Snap-On put that feature in the software. Either version does ABS bleeding on a 2003 Trailblazer, though.

The trick is to get software new enough for the vehicles you're going to work on, including European which also costs extra. And then get the older OBD-1 adapters for the vehicles you're going to work on. If you're only doing OBD-2 stuff, all you need is the OBD-2 adapter plus some "Personality keys" which configure the adapter to the vehicle. Some vehicles or procedures don't need a personality key, some do.

A decent scan tool will talk to the engine computer, the body computer, work with ABS, Air Bags, the instrument cluster, and more (depending on the vehicle. Older vehicles have only the engine computer, and maybe an ABS system.)

I have a Solus PRO updated to 2010. Man, I paid a lot more for mine years ago.. Mine will do the ABS Bleed for the K2500..l It works good being bi-directional and has come in handy , but shows its age now.. That whole changing keys thing really turns me off.. Some cars when working on them like FORDS!!! you have to use a few different ones for every mode. Some of those $300-$500 scanners on Amazon are way ahead of it .. Faster, more features and upgradable. we've come along way in 10 years.

 

[Kchevys]

I purchased an Innova 5610 ($329 on Amazon) a month ago to help track down a misfire in my `99 L29 K2500 Suburban. If has some bi-directional control. Mostly it has been great for the live data. The live data will give a good picture of what is working correctly and not. It has the ability to bleed the ABS also. I have been happy with it.

 

[Schurkey]

Good move on the distributor . I went billet as well. Much better piece than that plastic stock pos..

There may be "billet" distributors available, they'd be REALLY expensive.

All the aluminum-housing distributors I've seen, or seen advertised, are a machined casting, NOT a "billet". And they're all sourced from Communist China.

Wouldn't surprise me to find that they're all made in the same factory, but put into thirty different "branded" cardboard boxes with different-colored caps 'n' rotors to differentiate among them.

I have a Solus PRO updated to 2010. Man, I paid a lot more for mine years ago..

I paid more for my MTG2500; but I used it for nearly 20 years. I did OK.

Mine will do the ABS Bleed for the K2500..

I'm glad to hear that. I couldn't get any kind of answer as to when S-O added brake bleed to the Solus software; now I know it's after 8.2, and before whatever yours is--10.x.

It works good being bi-directional and has come in handy , but shows its age now.. That whole changing keys thing really turns me off.. Some cars when working on them like FORDS!!! you have to use a few different ones for every mode.

The Solus Pro is miles ahead of the '2500 series; in terms of more info on the screen without as much scrolling; more diagnostic tips and instructions, way faster, more graphing with higher resolution, and the ability to save data from a vehicle on a removable drive for installation on a PC using the free S-O software.

I was happy with my '2500...until I saw what the Solus Pro can do. Now I have dreams of going to an even-newer scan tool (which is probably not going to happen until I buy a much-newer vehicle.)

The 8.2 software tells me to use Key K9 for ABS on the '97, but there's no option for ABS bleeding. The 14.2 software tells me to use Key K25 for ABS on the '97, and I do have the option for ABS bleeding. I tried Key K25 on the 8.2, but I still didn't have the option for an ABS bleed.

Some of those $300-$500 scanners on Amazon are way ahead of it .. Faster, more features and upgradable. we've come along way in 10 years.

Yeah, but will they interface with, and have bi-directional control over air bags, instrument clusters, and whatever else is on the in-vehicle network?

I have never worked with the mass-market scan tools, so I'm probably out-of-touch with what they can and can't do...I remember when consumer-grade "code readers" were The Big Thing; and then consumer-grade scan tools that only listened to the engine computer, not even the ABS; and had no bi-directional ability at all.

 

[RedBurb]

About two months ago, having damaged my previous scan tool (Snap-On MTG2500) I bought a two-generations-newer Snap-On Solus Pro for just under $350; with an OBD-2 connector, some Asian OBD-1 connectors, the black plastic storage case, a rechargeable battery that isn't completely fried, and the battery charger. There's more Solus Pros on eBay, prices ranging from under $150 (bare tools, no adapters, no battery, no bigass plastic suitcase to store it in) to about a thousand dollars. Mostly in the $600--$800 range, but quite a few sell for less. Many tools--like mine--have the 8.2 software which is good to '07 vehicles. Newer software--up to 2016 or 2017, but not newer than that--costs extra. Support for the Solus Pro has already ended, there are NO MORE UPDATES including updating my 8.2 to 16.x or whatever the newest version is. What you buy is what you get.

My only "real" disappointment is that although the 8.2 software talks to the ABS module for codes, clearing codes, reading wheel speed and other ABS data, it doesn't allow "automated ABS bleeding" on my '97 K2500. 14.2 does. I don't know when Snap-On put that feature in the software. Either version does ABS bleeding on a 2003 Trailblazer, though.

The trick is to get software new enough for the vehicles you're going to work on, including European which also costs extra. And then get the older OBD-1 adapters for the vehicles you're going to work on. If you're only doing OBD-2 stuff, all you need is the OBD-2 adapter plus some "Personality keys" which configure the adapter to the vehicle. Some vehicles or procedures don't need a personality key, some do.

A decent scan tool will talk to the engine computer, the body computer, work with ABS, Air Bags, the instrument cluster, and more (depending on the vehicle. Older vehicles have only the engine computer, and maybe an ABS system.)

Schurkey---Thanks a million for the detailed response! Appreciate everyones feedback thus far. Regarding your Snap on Solus Pro ----does it read CAM Retard value (please advise)? I also own a '97 K2500 (Burb in my case) and originally purchased DASHCOMMAND thinking it could read CAM Retard (which it cannot). The related Code (0345?) was set after swapping the plastic for the Non-billet-billet-looking-US named-but probably-Chinese-made-supposedly-aluminum distributor (wouldn't "Made in the USA" be so much easier?!). The Code eventually cleared itself but I'm left wondering whether the timing might be a whisker off hence the unsettled idle...?

 

[RedBurb]

I purchased an Innova 5610 ($329 on Amazon) a month ago to help track down a misfire in my `99 L29 K2500 Suburban. If has some bi-directional control. Mostly it has been great for the live data. The live data will give a good picture of what is working correctly and not. It has the ability to bleed the ABS also. I have been happy with it.

Kchevys--Do you know whether the Innova 5610 can access/read the "CAM Retard" value? Thanks

 

[81nascar]

Kchevys--Do you know whether the Innova 5610 can access/read the "CAM Retard" value? Thanks

Pretty much any scanner will read the values. Some just more detailed than others.. Not a code reader , but a scanner..

 

[81nascar]

There may be "billet" distributors available, they'd be REALLY expensive.

All the aluminum-housing distributors I've seen, or seen advertised, are a machined casting, NOT a "billet". And they're all sourced from Communist China.

Wouldn't surprise me to find that they're all made in the same factory, but put into thirty different "branded" cardboard boxes with different-colored caps 'n' rotors to differentiate among them.


I paid more for my MTG2500; but I used it for nearly 20 years. I did OK.


I'm glad to hear that. I couldn't get any kind of answer as to when S-O added brake bleed to the Solus software; now I know it's after 8.2, and before whatever yours is--10.x.


The Solus Pro is miles ahead of the '2500 series; in terms of more info on the screen without as much scrolling; more diagnostic tips and instructions, way faster, more graphing with higher resolution, and the ability to save data from a vehicle on a removable drive for installation on a PC using the free S-O software.

I was happy with my '2500...until I saw what the Solus Pro can do. Now I have dreams of going to an even-newer scan tool (which is probably not going to happen until I buy a much-newer vehicle.)

The 8.2 software tells me to use Key K9 for ABS on the '97, but there's no option for ABS bleeding. The 14.2 software tells me to use Key K25 for ABS on the '97, and I do have the option for ABS bleeding. I tried Key K25 on the 8.2, but I still didn't have the option for an ABS bleed.


Yeah, but will they interface with, and have bi-directional control over air bags, instrument clusters, and whatever else is on the in-vehicle network?

I have never worked with the mass-market scan tools, so I'm probably out-of-touch with what they can and can't do...I remember when consumer-grade "code readers" were The Big Thing; and then consumer-grade scan tools that only listened to the engine computer, not even the ABS; and had no bi-directional ability at all.

So I have an aluminum distributor. Made in china like everything else we buy. The internals were far better built than the stock one and cured it's faults. Going 7 years strong now. I do have a BILLET distributor for my Trans Am . It's just the housing, MSD makes it and wasn't all that much when I bought it.. That was before they started sourcing heavy in China.. A lot of those scanners will interface and are bi-directional. Once you hit the $500 mark they get pretty nice. You can even program some keys. That's handy.. You are not going to get one that does everything until you really spend some money, but they get you close. The weekend warrior doesn't need all that stuff on these older trucks.. Just keep it simple and don't over think it.

 

[Kchevys]

I just checked on my '99 L29 and it does not show cam retard value. Not the same thing but it does show spark advance in live data.