Car says cold

[Firebirdjones]

Before I even turned a wrench on it, I'd hook a scan tool, laptop with software, or some sort of monitoring device to see exactly what temp it's running. It's the only way to know for sure what the computer is reading from the temp sender.

[Whamhammer]

Before I even turned a wrench on it, I'd hook a scan tool, laptop with software, or some sort of monitoring device to see exactly what temp it's running. It's the only way to know for sure what the computer is reading from the temp sender.

I have a Craftsman CanOBD2 Diagnostic Tool Model 87702 that I got as a graduation gift, it looks like it brings up some real-time information, but it doesn't go into depth what items it does bring up. I havent used it yet, does anyone know if this will do the trick?

[Firebirdjones]

I'm not familiar with the craftsman version but if it has a small screen I'd bet you can bring up perameters and view them.

[Whamhammer]

I'm not familiar with the craftsman version but if it has a small screen I'd bet you can bring up perameters and view them.

I tried to bring it up, but it says that my "vehicle will not support" freeze frame or realtime data. All this thing will do for my car is read codes. I looked it up at Sears and its selling for $169.00, but doesn't seem to do anything that my Acton can't. I really feel bad for the family member who spent that much money for me for my graduation gift and it won't do half of the things that it suggests it can. I think Im going to go down to Sears and see what they have to say, but I doubt anyone there will be able to help.

Looks like I will have to do things the old fashion way, spend more money or wait for warmer weather.

[bigrondownhiller]

Feel the temp of the heater hoses. One should be hot the other warm. Could be the heater core is clogged up. It has happened to me.

[Too Fast]

^^ Really depends on the thermostat -- only way to know for certain is to test it in boiling water with a thermometer.

Unless you are talking about some specific thermostat, most all automotive t-stats begin to open at the stated temp on the thermostat.

They open as far as they can mechanically about 15 degrees or so higher than the beginning point. If a t-stat is rated at 195*, it won't be gaping until ~210*, it will begin opening at ~195*.

If the cooling system can maintain 195* with the t-stat only open 20%, then that's how far it will be open.

[cammed goat]

Handheld code readers/scanners vary. Some only read codes and come with a booklet with codes and definitions. Some come with the ability to read and display codes. If I recall, the more expensive code readers can be updated via internet.

[pajeff02]

Laser temp gun is a great way to check underhood temps.

[Whamhammer]

Well this is what I have: Craftsman Professional Car Scan Tool : Fix What Ails You at Sears.

Its mighty expensive enough. Maybe I am using this thing wrong, but it says that the vehicle isn't supported, the car is a GM '02 model, its not like that GM was all that intricate with their soft/hardware that reading a coolant temp sensor and other basic functions would be too difficult to support with a $165.00 scanner that says it can do that. I dont know much about the updates, but would a scanner that is currently being offered, a decade past the cars last production not need an update for something as simple?

[pajeff02]

My OBD-II scanner will not show live sensor data -- I needed to go up one model and cheaped out.

[Mean Green Z28]

Could even just be a clogged heater core. Get a ELM327 obd-ii Bluetooth adapter from amazon for like $15, download the torque app onto your smartphone and you've got real time data stream and code scanning. I run it on my 5th gen all the time. You can do some amazing stuff with that and a few different apps.

[Whamhammer]

Could even just be a clogged heater core. Get a ELM327 obd-ii Bluetooth adapter from amazon for like $15, download the torque app onto your smartphone and you've got real time data stream and code scanning. I run it on my 5th gen all the time. You can do some amazing stuff with that and a few different apps.

One of these days I may step into the '00's and get a smartphone I've had the same flip phone for the last 8 years or so. The provider hates me because I won't upgrade/renew contracts. Haven't had a contract for 6 years now

[Firebirdjones]

That's what I have HPtuners for

Smartphone? Haha, that's the last thing I need. I'm like you Whamhammer, same old flip phone I've had since the 90's, and I wouldn't even carry that if my wife didn't make me, I'd toss it in the bottom of the lake. Plus I don't want the $60 a month bills that come with a smart phone either. Kids and their gadgets today, and they wonder why they can't afford to fill their gas tanks up.

[Whamhammer]

That's what I have HPtuners for

Smartphone? Haha, that's the last thing I need. I'm like you Whamhammer, same old flip phone I've had since the 90's, and I wouldn't even carry that if my wife didn't make me, I'd toss it in the bottom of the lake. Plus I don't want the $60 a month bills that come with a smart phone either. Kids and their gadgets today, and they wonder why they can't afford to fill their gas tanks up.

Is HPTuners worth getting for the everyman? Is it just for the model? I am still sitting on the fence on modding this car (which I do love) for a fair bit of change, or a 15 Mustang/ 16 Camaro.

[35th-ANV-SS]

That's what I have HPtuners for

Smartphone? Haha, that's the last thing I need. I'm like you Whamhammer, same old flip phone I've had since the 90's, and I wouldn't even carry that if my wife didn't make me, I'd toss it in the bottom of the lake. Plus I don't want the $60 a month bills that come with a smart phone either. Kids and their gadgets today, and they wonder why they can't afford to fill their gas tanks up.

My cell bill is $137 a month lol.

Scott - you have to buy credits which can then be used for a specific vehicle. Buy it new, it comes with credits already. There is a lot involved with tuning and understanding how everything works, but with enough patience, time, and learning adaptability, it can be learned and used as a very useful tool.

[Firebirdjones]

Probably not for everybody. Depends on how you look at it. For those that are not computer minded, or those that don't have working knowledge of how to tune an engine, then you won't get to use HPtuners to it's full potential.

However, owning a few LS powered vehicles, and knowing I would have other computer controlled vehicles in my lifetime, I felt HPtuners was a necessity. So I forced myself to learn the softwear. Tuning knowledge is the easy part, but for me it was applying it to keystrokes and formulas. I also wanted it for it's ability to show live data, log data, diagnose issues, codes, etc...

I have also found it useful on my Duramax. Can also be used on many other makes and models so it's not limited to just LS stuff. In my opinion it paid for itself with the first vehicle.

It's not something I'd recommend you go out and buy unless you know you'll be tuning and diagnosing your own stuff for years to come.

[Firebirdjones]

My cell bill is $137 a month lol.

YIKES,,,,,I almost passed out

[pajeff02]

Jon probably has 3 or 4 phones just to juggle all his bishes.


I agree - HP Tuners is a real step up. I purchased it a few years back and it has come in real handy.

[35th-ANV-SS]

Nope, just unlimited talk/text/picture messages along with a 6 gigabyte data plan through Verizon

[Firebirdjones]

Nope, just unlimited talk/text/picture messages along with a 6 gigabyte data plan through Verizon

Haha, you may as well be speaking a dead language because I didn't understand a word of that