Unreadable codes

Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's, Olds 98 91-96, Buick Lesabres and Park Avenue 91-96. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
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Leejr57
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Unreadable codes

Post by Leejr57 »

I have a 1995 Buick Le Sabre,(basically a bonneville with Buick nameplates), 3.8 ltr. Car was running then just shut down, no spark. Changed the crank sensor, started back up and ran fine. This was a month ago, yesterday same thing happened, plugged in my code scanner with the proper chip. Scanner reads "cannot communicate with vehicle". Has anyone else had this problem and if so what was the cause. I pulled the ecm thinking maybe there was an issue with that but it seems to be fine.
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Re: Unreadable codes

Post by SSEi95 »

I know the 95 Bonneville was a weird year where it had an OBD2 connector, but an OBD1 computer (commonly called OBD1.5). My guess is you are trying to scan it as an OBD2 which won't work. You need an OBD1 scanner with an OBD2 cable. I'm not 100% sure that the buick followed suit, but I assume it would.
Leejr57
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Re: Unreadable codes

Post by Leejr57 »

I'm using a snap-on scanner with the "K-9" chip. Scanner worked fine on my 95 Bonneville just not on the Buick.
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Re: Unreadable codes

Post by 00Beast »

Remove the chip, then let the scanner determine the chip needed. There's a very slight chance that the Buick may call for a different chip. Just give that a shot, and report back.
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Re: Unreadable codes

Post by Jrs3800 »

The Protocall for both the 1995 L36 and the 1995 L27 is the same, but the Programing and the way it functions is different..

By all rights any tool that will read a 95 bonneville should read the 95 Le Sabre..
Leejr57
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Re: Unreadable codes

Post by Leejr57 »

Scanner calls for the "k-9" key chip for that vehicle. As a side note, I pulled the ecm from the Pontiac and plugged it into tbe Buick. Viola!! I can now read the codes. Po325 Knock sensor circoit. I'm thinking the ecm is bad in the Buick.
Leejr57
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Re: Unreadable codes

Post by Leejr57 »

Engine "clunk" seems to come from the trans. end of the engine, toward the firewall. I've unplugged every sensor I can see to see if I could locate the problem. So far no luck. I don't think it is in the engine bottom end. It doesn't do it all the time, just occasionally. But when it does it really is loud. The engine doesn't change rpm or anything.
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