86 Chevy C10 computer

Dragonfly · 01-25-2008, 10:21 AM

Is there a coputer hook up on this truck to read diagnostic codes for the computer? I looked under the left side dash and I removed the lower dash by the steering column and do not see anything. Where the heck did GM hide the connector or can't you scan these older ones?

I know all the computer is hooked up to is the distributor and the carb and a sensor or two.
My choke light is on and will not go off

75K30 · 01-25-2008, 10:27 AM

On your 1986 Chevrolet Truck C10 1/2 ton P/U 2WD 5.0L 4BL OHV , the Diagnostic Link Connector is located:

Front seating area, driver side, behind instrument panel, mounted on driver side of steering column

here is a link for additional info, you will have to click on manage my vehicle, then input your vehicle type and year, then click on component location, and you will see diagnostic link connector, and the above description will appear.

AutoZone.com | Vehicle Selection - Year

Good luck

crabtruck · 01-25-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75K30

.....the Diagnostic Link Connector is located:

Front seating area, driver side, behind instrument panel, mounted on driver side of steering column.....

LOL, am I the only one that finds this funny ?

75K30 · 01-25-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabtruck

LOL, am I the only one that finds this funny ?

Tickled my funnybone a little as well Crab, but that was a direct quote from the site. I was going to leave well enough alone, but thought I would attach the link and provide directions to find exactly those words.
Did not want anyone to make fun of me. I can do that on my own thank you very much, lol.
Was funny.....

crabtruck · 01-25-2008, 02:23 PM

I knew it was a quote, not yours,
just reminded me of when I had posted that something was between license plate and distrib
while not realizing some folks live in states that only have REAR plates.LOL

Dragonfly · 01-25-2008, 02:48 PM

I just tore the lower dash panel apart again and there is no diagnostic connector anywhere near the steering column or the left side dash or the fuse box area where it should be. I know what I'm looking for, I have been working on cars all my life and been employed as a mechanic for many many years; it's just not there!

This is the first year for the computer in trucks, maybe there isn't a connector for these first generation computers. The Haynes manual doesn't really cover it either for 1986 but does state the connector is on the left side of the dash/steering colun.
Now you need to realize I do not have a service engine or check engine light. I only have a orange choke light.
I am thinking this 1st generation computer is not capable of diagnostic, it either works or it doesn't.

Dragonfly · 01-25-2008, 07:04 PM

Ok--I got the choke light to go off. I bumped the connector next to the oil sending unit and it was half off.
I still haven't found a diagnostic connector.

Dragonfly · 01-26-2008, 10:53 AM

Ok, there is obviously a difference between 1986 (first generation) computer controlled trucks and 1987 (second generation)computer controlled trucks with an electric fuel pump.
The 87 and newer apparently have a ALDL (diagnostic) connector. There is also an EST (Electronic Spark Timing) control feature and there is a wire that needs to be disconnected to the distributor when adjusting the timing. I do not have this disconnect for the EST for adjusting the timing.
I am assuming I have some sort of computer since the wiring coming my distributor goes thru the fire wall into the cab behind the glove box area. I also have the two wire connector on the top of the quadra-**** carb
This has really become frustrating to figure out even with the Haynes manual.

If I don't figure it out soon I am putting a pre 1985 HEI distibutor in it and pulling the carb and replace it with an edelbrock. I would prefer to keep it original/factory if I could. This truck is 100% factory and in excellent shape with a matching topper and padded/carpeted bed liner. All emissions stuff is original including every vaccum line, hose and wire. I really hate to mess with it and remove all this stuff. It's worth more to a Chevy guy in it's unmolested state if I decide to sell it, which the wife is pressuring me to do since I have 3 trucks.

o3shortbed · 02-02-2008, 07:20 PM

[quote=Dragonfly;48343]quadra-**** quote]
hahahahahahahahahaha those were junk unless you got the right one

Dragonfly · 02-02-2008, 09:46 PM

There is not a computer on this model year. There is no service engine on the dash. I don't know what the 4 wire connector coming off my distributor and thru my firewall is for or why it goes into the cab. When I saw that + the wires on top of the carb I just assumed it had a computer.
Sorry for all the posts but they were apperantly for nothing.

01-25-2008, 10:21 AM	#1
Dragonfly Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 19	86 Chevy C10 computer Is there a coputer hook up on this truck to read diagnostic codes for the computer? I looked under the left side dash and I removed the lower dash by the steering column and do not see anything. Where the heck did GM hide the connector or can't you scan these older ones? I know all the computer is hooked up to is the distributor and the carb and a sensor or two. My choke light is on and will not go off

01-25-2008, 10:27 AM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,305	On your 1986 Chevrolet Truck C10 1/2 ton P/U 2WD 5.0L 4BL OHV , the Diagnostic Link Connector is located:Front seating area, driver side, behind instrument panel, mounted on driver side of steering column here is a link for additional info, you will have to click on manage my vehicle, then input your vehicle type and year, then click on component location, and you will see diagnostic link connector, and the above description will appear. AutoZone.com \| Vehicle Selection - Year Good luck

02-02-2008, 07:20 PM	#9
o3shortbed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: L-burg KY Posts: 334	[quote=Dragonfly;48343]quadra-**** quote] hahahahahahahahahaha those were junk unless you got the right one __________________ 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2 Full time 4WD NP249

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01-25-2008, 02:23 PM	#5
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,106	I knew it was a quote, not yours, just reminded me of when I had posted that something was between license plate and distrib while not realizing some folks live in states that only have REAR plates.LOL

01-25-2008, 02:48 PM	#6
Dragonfly Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 19	I just tore the lower dash panel apart again and there is no diagnostic connector anywhere near the steering column or the left side dash or the fuse box area where it should be. I know what I'm looking for, I have been working on cars all my life and been employed as a mechanic for many many years; it's just not there! This is the first year for the computer in trucks, maybe there isn't a connector for these first generation computers. The Haynes manual doesn't really cover it either for 1986 but does state the connector is on the left side of the dash/steering colun. Now you need to realize I do not have a service engine or check engine light. I only have a orange choke light. I am thinking this 1st generation computer is not capable of diagnostic, it either works or it doesn't.

01-25-2008, 07:04 PM	#7
Dragonfly Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 19	Ok--I got the choke light to go off. I bumped the connector next to the oil sending unit and it was half off. I still haven't found a diagnostic connector.

01-26-2008, 10:53 AM	#8
Dragonfly Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 19	Ok, there is obviously a difference between 1986 (first generation) computer controlled trucks and 1987 (second generation)computer controlled trucks with an electric fuel pump. The 87 and newer apparently have a ALDL (diagnostic) connector. There is also an EST (Electronic Spark Timing) control feature and there is a wire that needs to be disconnected to the distributor when adjusting the timing. I do not have this disconnect for the EST for adjusting the timing. I am assuming I have some sort of computer since the wiring coming my distributor goes thru the fire wall into the cab behind the glove box area. I also have the two wire connector on the top of the quadra-**** carb This has really become frustrating to figure out even with the Haynes manual. If I don't figure it out soon I am putting a pre 1985 HEI distibutor in it and pulling the carb and replace it with an edelbrock. I would prefer to keep it original/factory if I could. This truck is 100% factory and in excellent shape with a matching topper and padded/carpeted bed liner. All emissions stuff is original including every vaccum line, hose and wire. I really hate to mess with it and remove all this stuff. It's worth more to a Chevy guy in it's unmolested state if I decide to sell it, which the wife is pressuring me to do since I have 3 trucks.

02-02-2008, 09:46 PM	#10
Dragonfly Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 19	There is not a computer on this model year. There is no service engine on the dash. I don't know what the 4 wire connector coming off my distributor and thru my firewall is for or why it goes into the cab. When I saw that + the wires on top of the carb I just assumed it had a computer. Sorry for all the posts but they were apperantly for nothing.