I have a 1996 (P reg) Vauxhall Vectra 2.0 litre 16v injection, and want to read the ecu and if possible remap but cannot work out what system i need to do this.
The engine is a X20XEV ecotec model, and searching the web i have found a 16 pin socket under the hand brake but is decribed as a Simtec 56.5 16pin ALDL Connector. Is this the same as the OBD2 connector and would a ELM327 read the ecu.

Chris, July 2008

Hi Chris, I use an "ELM327" on my laptop and it works great, I have a 16 pin connector in front of me and pin 1 is on the top line left end (longest edge of connector)as you look at it. A lot of the diagrams are for the wiring of the connector and show it from the wire side. Your car is of an age when some manufacturers put the 16 pin connector in but it didn't have to conform to the EOBD standard and it gives out "flash codes" via the fail light on the dash, but these codes are read the same as the EOBD codes. contact me on nige110162@hotmail.co.uk and I'll mail you the autodata explination of how to interpretate the flash code if your car has a connector in pin 6

nigel, July 2008

Thanks Nigel, you have cleared alittle up but i am still getting some conflicting ansawers, you say the socket is numbered left to right but on http://www.topbuzz.co.uk/info/fault_codes/pic007.htm it numbers the socket right to left, this is the socket i have abd this is why i am confused, also the ELM 327 i am looking at connects to a pc to give the readout of faults, do you know if these are any good or to go for a dedicated reader

Chris, July 2008

Hi Chris, you will have to have a close look at the 16 pin connector, if it has a terminal @ pin6 (it's numbered from left to right pin1 is on the row with the longest side) then you can read the code by shorting pin6 to ground and counting the flashes of the "check engine" light if there's no pin6 then you will need a code reader and the "ELM 327" lead will work fine you will need some software loads available some pay others freeware, as for re-mapping i'd leave it to those who know how to do it otherwise you could end up with a dead ECU!! nige110162@hotmail.co.uk for more info

nigel, July 2008