Over the years, people have asked "What tools can I use on my Cavalier or Calibra?"
The discussion thread can be found here:-
viewtopic.php?f=80&t=17139
The test available to all fuel injected car owners is the The Paper Clip Test.
Here is my test socket (next to the yellow octane coding plug).
Yours may look like this. (Note X20XEV will not have a coding plug as they use a knock sensor instead)
In the image - connectors are.
Top left - alarm bonnet switch.
Bottom Left - Ambient temperature sensor.
Bottom middle - Diagnostic ALDL plug.
Bottom right - black octane plug.
By far the cheapest is "The paperclip test".
There are dozens of threads dotted about the internet discussing this, such as found on the TopBuzz Web site (as far as I am aware THE original thread starter).
Gunson even produced a tool for this, which simply comprised a basic connector, two pins and a switch to link them.
Here is mine,
and my How 2 here with all the code listings.
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=16896&p=171534#p171534
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Tech 1 / Tech 1a
As we all should know by now, the proper dealership tool was the Vetronix / Mastertech Tech 1 and the updated Tech 1a.
Sometimes distributed by Kent Moore tools.
I know of very few of these in circulation with only James (McGrath) and Dan (Humbucker) having multiple units each.
They are the only tool to my knowledge that can make programming changes to the modules on the pre 1996 vehicles. (Except possibly the later Tech 2 tool).
Based on a similar hand-held design to the Psion Organisers of yesteryear, they need special ROM cartridges and specific cables for power and ALDL diagnostic port connectivity.
Being used on all GM based cars of the era including Corvette, Buick, Vauxhall, Opel, GMC, Lotus... (the list goes on) there are obviously lots of cartridges pertaining to makes, models and specific modules such as the engine ECU or ABS modules.
I am sure only James or Dan know which cartridges actually suit our cars as the cartridges will often be labelled as "ECU 1988 - 1992" etc.
Not really that informative.
In my opinion, it should only be used by people who have a good understanding of how they work as some functions can turn the car into a pretty paperweight.
(Immobiliser functions).
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VauxCom / OpCom.
Around 2007 a tool called Abcom was created, and was aimed at individual models of that era.
Information and software was scant with pirate software sites being the main source.
The first being "Digital Kaos".
Very soon after OpCom entered the world, but soon proved to be very buggy and totally unsuitable for pre-1997 vehicles.
Only for vehicles with the EOBD and EOBD2 16 pin connectivity.
In August 2010, the first 'stable' version of OpCom became available.
There is an official UK version - VauxCom supplied through Ilexa.
OpCom refers to the Opel brand officially supplied by 3M of Hungary.
Be aware that there are HQ versions available too.
The Official software can only be used on official interfaces,
HQ only on HQ tools and
"Clone" software on "Clone" Ebay specials from China.
In the past few years, the Chinese manufacturers have been using dodgy PICs, which can be easily destroyed if the software forces a firmware update.
Clones have always had "hit and miss" quality issues with poor relays, dry or poor solder joints etc.
Here is one of the OpCom diagnostic tools.
(This is a "china clone" version).
As some Calibras were produced after 1996, it is reported that some engines are supported.
I personally had no luck with my C18NZ, C20NE engines, and definitely no proper connectivity to the Board Computer, ABS or Airbag modules.
It was reported towards 2015 that very late versions began to provide support for the early cars.
I have never tested the theory, despite having 2015 software on my lap top.
Maybe a project for the summer.
For information - OpCom and VauxCom best suits vehicles between 2005 and 2012. - Especially the Astra-H and early J.
