ALDL OBD1 - how to configure Freescan for my ECM (1228253)
-
Drive-In
- SLE Member

- Posts: 51
- Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2008 2:29 pm
- Year and Trim: '88 LE - no mods - 112k
- Location: L.A. North-Western Hemisphere
ALDL OBD1 - how to configure Freescan for my ECM (1228253)
Hi everyone,
I recently bought an ALDL cable - 12 pin to USB. Of the several affordable or free software packages I found, only Freescan would establish a communications link between my laptop (running Freescan) and the ECM.
I've confirmed my ECM is Serial # 1228253 and I have access to the definition. How do I get Freescan to run using my definition? I'm getting data such as RPM, Temperature, TPS Voltage and so on, but several of the numbers don't fall into usable parameters. (The pre-loaded definition that works best is for the Lotus).
Thanks for any tips or pointers and thanks for all the help on my other thread.
Mike
I recently bought an ALDL cable - 12 pin to USB. Of the several affordable or free software packages I found, only Freescan would establish a communications link between my laptop (running Freescan) and the ECM.
I've confirmed my ECM is Serial # 1228253 and I have access to the definition. How do I get Freescan to run using my definition? I'm getting data such as RPM, Temperature, TPS Voltage and so on, but several of the numbers don't fall into usable parameters. (The pre-loaded definition that works best is for the Lotus).
Thanks for any tips or pointers and thanks for all the help on my other thread.
Mike
"Like a rubber-necked giraffe, y'look into my past, but maybe you're just too blind t'... see" - Leon Russell
- MattStrike
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 4760
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:32 pm
- Year and Trim: '99 Montana
'04 Dirtymax
'97 Camaro
'92 Trofeo - Location: SE Michigan
Re: ALDL OBD1 - how to configure Freescan for my ECM (122825
Last I checked, freescan doesn't have a built-in option to scan an '88.
Winaldl might have something. I know it supported the '86-'87 160 baud computers.
I might have a datastream for EFILive v4 for an '89 Electra that might work too.
Winaldl might have something. I know it supported the '86-'87 160 baud computers.
I might have a datastream for EFILive v4 for an '89 Electra that might work too.
Boost addict

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project:
Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
-
Drive-In
- SLE Member

- Posts: 51
- Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2008 2:29 pm
- Year and Trim: '88 LE - no mods - 112k
- Location: L.A. North-Western Hemisphere
Re: ALDL OBD1 - how to configure Freescan for my ECM (122825
Hey Matt,
Thanks for your help. I tried WinALDL and had trouble getting data to flow. I can re-try. EFILive no longer provides an evaluation license - (I believe v8 was just released) and $200 is pricey at this stage. I sent an email to Andy about Freescan - hope he checks in once in a while.
I would like to get the laptop working as a scanner - it's kind of a hoot. Be great if I can get EFILive to work - looks like the nicest GUI out of all of them.
I ran into a comment about noobs using ALDL is like a pig looking at a watch - maybe so and the learning curve is certainly steep enough but hey, pigs are pretty clever on their own, I say.
Thanks again,
Mike
Thanks for your help. I tried WinALDL and had trouble getting data to flow. I can re-try. EFILive no longer provides an evaluation license - (I believe v8 was just released) and $200 is pricey at this stage. I sent an email to Andy about Freescan - hope he checks in once in a while.
I would like to get the laptop working as a scanner - it's kind of a hoot. Be great if I can get EFILive to work - looks like the nicest GUI out of all of them.
I ran into a comment about noobs using ALDL is like a pig looking at a watch - maybe so and the learning curve is certainly steep enough but hey, pigs are pretty clever on their own, I say.
Thanks again,
Mike
"Like a rubber-necked giraffe, y'look into my past, but maybe you're just too blind t'... see" - Leon Russell
Re: ALDL OBD1 - how to configure Freescan for my ECM (122825
Sorry for the hijack, but will the fancy MODIS scanners from Snap-On get live data out of a 1989 Bonny? I have one Cyl that appears to be running lean.
- J Wikoff
- Administrator

- Posts: 17080
- Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 7:01 pm
- Year and Trim: 1992 SSE
2009 G8 GT - Location: Central Illinois
- Contact:
Re: ALDL OBD1 - how to configure Freescan for my ECM (122825
You're not going to get individual cylinder information, if that's what you're hoping for. I have an Actron CP190-or-something-or-other with the late 80's-early-90's cartridge that gets live data. What parameters are you looking for?

WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights
Re: ALDL OBD1 - how to configure Freescan for my ECM (122825
Well couple things. 02 sensor voltage and whether or not i'm in open or closed loop.J Wikoff wrote:You're not going to get individual cylinder information, if that's what you're hoping for. I have an Actron CP190-or-something-or-other with the late 80's-early-90's cartridge that gets live data. What parameters are you looking for?
Thanks
Re: ALDL OBD1 - how to configure Freescan for my ECM (122825
This one?J Wikoff wrote:You're not going to get individual cylinder information, if that's what you're hoping for. I have an Actron CP190-or-something-or-other with the late 80's-early-90's cartridge that gets live data. What parameters are you looking for?
http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16317
- J Wikoff
- Administrator

- Posts: 17080
- Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 7:01 pm
- Year and Trim: 1992 SSE
2009 G8 GT - Location: Central Illinois
- Contact:
Re: ALDL OBD1 - how to configure Freescan for my ECM (122825
I have an old one that won't do OBD2. That one looks pretty decent.

WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights
Re: ALDL OBD1 - how to configure Freescan for my ECM (122825
I saw an Inova today at OReily's that will do ODB1, it was like 200 bucks. Wonder if they are any good?
Thanks :D
Thanks :D

