OBD Scan Tools For ALDL or OBD1 Cars

Some cars that do not have a compatible OBD-II protocol can still be diagnosed using a suitable scan tool or software.

Are you looking for ways to diagnose an ALDL or OBD1 car? In this page, we'll provide some information on how you can do that. But, before we go into that, there are some facts you need to know. 

What's the difference between OBD2 car compared to an ALDL or OBD1 car?

Unlike the standardised Onboard Diagnostics II (OBD-II), cars with earlier OEM-specific ALDL or OBD1 systems use manufacturers’ specific communication protocols. This means that connectors, pin locations, error codes and bus-communications varied considerably from one manufacturer to another.

Also such systems are limited in quality, quantity and speed of reported data. For example, OBD1 cars can report up to 300 data parameters (PID’s) compared to 15,000 possible data parameters for OBD2 cars. So, the type of data reported by OBD1 is not suitable if you’re after monitoring real-time gauges or diagnosing a complex DTC! To give you an idea, here’s a sample of the data stored and transmitted through the OBD1 interface:

  • Catalyst converter system and alert below 60-percent efficiency
  • Engine missfire monitoring
  • Evaporation emissions system
  • Secondary Air Injection (AIR) system
  • Air Conditioning System
  • Excess Fuel Trimming
  • Oxygen Sensor Performance
  • EGR System

As trackable data, stored codes and their definitions varied between car makers; diagnosing an OBD1 car is not as easy as diagnosing an OBD2 car. In order to diagnose an ALDL or OBD1 car; you would require a special scan tool that could adapt to myriad connector type as well as different data sets.

Here are some ways to diagnose your ALDL or OBD1 Car

Buy ALDL or OBD1 Diagnostics Scan Tool

If your car is not OBDII compatible it is still possible to diagnose some ALDL or OBD1 compatible cars with an affordable diagnostic scan tool. Instead of getting an expensive scan tool some of our single car make or multi car make scan tools like the Vident Scan Tools and FOXWELL scan tools offer a great and affordable way to diagnose some OBD1 cars. 

If you're still not sure what scan tool is best for your car, please contact us or leave a comment below so we can help recommend a suitable one.