1996 Saturn SC1 Trying to figure out if my car is OBD II

Tiny
SHADETREEGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 SATURN SC1
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 161,109 MILES
My Saturn has had the check engine light on for a while. It was manufactured on 9/95. It has the 16 pin ALDL diagnostic connector and looks to use the J1850 VPW protocol from the pin positions. My problem is you guys say there should be a sticker under the hood showing OBD II compliance but there isnt one there (car has never been wrecked). I'm looking into a scanner but I dont want to buy one and it not work on this car and my 2003 trailblazer. Any suggestions are appreciated!
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Thursday, May 13th, 2010 AT 4:56 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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First of all thank u for ur donation if u have a 96 Saturn then it is a obd2 that was the first yr for Saturn to use that. Let me know if I can help u further.
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Thursday, May 13th, 2010 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
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Cars made 07/95 and up are 96 model so no worreis on ur 09/95 being a 96. Obd1 connectors are rectangler and the ob2 one will look more like a oblong d shape. Looks just like ur 2003 trail blazer one. Hope that puts ur mind at ease. If I were u I would spend the extra money and get a scanner that can do engine data stream so it will show u ur live o2 readings engine temp map sensor readings stuff like would really help u diagnose ur vechiles. Thanks again for ur donation hope u use us again and thank u for using 2carpros.
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Friday, May 14th, 2010 AT 5:02 PM
Tiny
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Thank you soo much for the great advice Saturntech9. If possible could you suggest some of the better quality longer lasting scanners I might consider that will do the tests that you mentioned? I've been researching them and they get very expensive very quickly so I deffinately want to make a smart purchase without going overboard. Thank you again.
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Saturday, May 15th, 2010 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
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They have scanners that do the actually tests that the dealers can do on ur car but that's over kill in ur case for someone that just gets a check engine light once in a while.I was talking about just being able to read what the computer reads like sensor readings so if u get a code u can see what that sensor code sensor is reading. Do u only need it for obd2?U don't have any od1 cars like pre 1996?Also what is ur budget for one like ur high end?That way I could suggest some scanners for u if I new how much u had spend on one I could help u out there. There are just so many with a very broad price range from like 40-over 4,000. Let me know and I'll be more then happy to help u out with that.
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Saturday, May 15th, 2010 AT 12:19 PM
Tiny
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Hi again saturntech9, yessir I do have a 1995 chevy 1500 Z71 4x4 with 5.7L, that I would love to be able to scan also. I would like to stay below $400 but if there is something really useful for say $100 more I can try for that. Oh I forgot to give you any info on the 2003 trailblazer. I have taken it to autozone for a scan and they didnt seem to understand their own scanner, and told me I needed an oxygen sensor so I bought 1 only to find out later that they had not bothered to tell me that truck has 2 sensors so now im back to check engine. AND haha it (the check engine light) never went off so im not even sure that was the problem in the first place. Thank you again for all your help and patience.
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Saturday, May 15th, 2010 AT 2:36 PM
Tiny
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Hey sorry it took me so long to get back to u I had a bird take out my phone line/Internet. Not fun anyways I'll just recomend my scanner to you since I know it will read obd1 engine data. It also does graphing for o2 sensor etc also has data record and play back. You can even print out your readings it comes with a case obd2, obd1gm, obd1 ford, and obd1 chrysler connectors. USB cable cd with code libray if u shop around you can find them for under 300. It's the actron cp 9190. Let me know what code u have on your trail blazer and I'll help u get that check engine light off.
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Sunday, May 16th, 2010 AT 10:39 PM
Tiny
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CP 9190 gotcha thanks again Louie. I'm gonna get right on it today and I'll let you know what I find out. Thanks again for your continued help with this lil quest :P. Btw can I give feedback and vote for you each time we communicate or does it have to be a new question posted to do so? Well off to search for cp 9190 for now. Cya soon have great day!
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Monday, May 17th, 2010 AT 8:34 AM
Tiny
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I believe that you can give feedback at any time, you just have to view the persons profile so you can see the give feedback link. Let me know what codes your trail blazer has and how your search for the scan tool went.
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Monday, May 17th, 2010 AT 4:08 PM
Tiny
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Hiya louie I got scanner and troubleshooter today had to go find batteries lol but I got p1406 code off the saturn I havent got trailblazer here atm. The scanner has no definition for p1406 and I got no service manual :/ so im back to square 1. Ill be trying to get service manual asap. Any ideas?
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Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_1996_sc1_egr_diagram_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_1996_sc1_p1406_part1_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_1996_sc1_p1406_part2_1.jpg


I posted the wire diagram for your egr valve and also the trouble tree for your code p1406 its a egr valve code.If you could look at your malfunction history with the code p1406 and tell me what the egr actual verus desired postion/voltage was basicially how the two compare.Also key on engine off tell me by looking at your engine data stream what the egr valve is sitting at postion percentage and voltage.Also which scanner did you get?hopefully it does engine data display.let me know what you find.
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Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 AT 7:59 PM
Tiny
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Tells me to use scan tool to open egr valve? I bought 9190 that you recommended
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Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
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Your scanner wont open the egr like that. That scanner costs like over 4,000. You will have to skip that part. If you could look at your malfunction history with the code p1406 and tell me what the egr actual verus desired postion/voltage was basicially how the two compare. Also key on engine off tell me by looking at your engine data stream what the egr valve is sitting at postion percentage and voltage in real time. So how are you liking your liking your new scanner?Also answer my other questions about your car.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 AT 4:00 PM
Tiny
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Sorry took so long louie, I guess this scanner is smarter than me I cant seem to find anything to do with the egr other than its being mentioned in the list of trouble codes. Any suggestions of how to find the info you wanted?
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Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
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Here's what you do turn the key to the run postion don't start the car. Select domestic vehicles select general motors. Select car select 1996 select Saturn select sc1 select 7 select keep press enter select diagnostic codes select freeze frame data find your egr code then scroll thru the data. Press the back button twice then select data stream then view data. Then entire data list Iam sorry I miss led you it doesn't show the egr data on data stream. But look in freeze frame data at the egr code an see if it shows it there. Iam still getting use to this scanner.I use to use that 4,000 plus scanner every day and that one does every thing. Let's also do this take the egr valve off turn it up side down get a small pick or screw driver and push on the star shaped center of the plunger of the valve. See if it sticks at first then release's bottom it out then slowly release it did it stick open?Let me know what you find.
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Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 AT 8:22 PM
Tiny
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Hi again Louie,
I removed the egr and it was stuck at first but broke loose and worked smoothly afterwards so I reinstalled it and erased the codes to see if it would show up again, but when I tried to start the car the fuel pump relay started clicking and all the dash lights were really dim and flashing and the radio was locked like the battery had been taken loose and the car barely turns over and wont start now. Have I really screwed up now?
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Sunday, June 6th, 2010 AT 11:21 AM
Tiny
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If the egr valve was stuck then that's what caused your p1406 the bad news is you can try cleaning it but more then likely you will have to replace it so the code won't come back. Now let's talk about your dead battery first make sure your battery cable's are clean and tight. If they are clean and tight and it still won't start see if you can jump start it. If it jumps then let it idle for about 10 min's then turn the a/c on and head light's on high beam. Then get a volt meter and see what it's reading at the battery at Idle. If it won't jump start take the battery out and take it to the auto part's store and have them charge and test it. If it test's good then put it back in the car. If ut test's bad get a new battery and put in the car. Then start the car and and do the volt test like I just explained. Let me know what you find.
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Sunday, June 6th, 2010 AT 12:22 PM
Tiny
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Hi Louie,
Just went and bought a new battery and installed it, and guess what IT CRANKED! Lol My wife just took the car down the road and ran all the lights and a/c and stuff and NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT! WOOHOO! Thanks soo much bro. Btw I donated again $20 it better go to you :) thanks again especially on a sunday you rock man. I'll holler if any more problems.
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Sunday, June 6th, 2010 AT 6:04 PM
Tiny
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Glad to hear your back up and running especially with no ses light on. But please do me a favor go have your alternator tested at the auto parts store just to be on the safe side. The early Saturn alternators didn't last all that long compared to the newer one's. Also thank's again for the first and second donation's. Let me know when you post your ses light question on your trail blazer and i'll help you out with that too. Just private message me the link and I'll answer for you. Thank's for using 2carpro's.
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Sunday, June 6th, 2010 AT 8:08 PM

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