To check for codes, you'll need:
1. A jumper wire: This is a short wire with alligator clips on both ends.
2. A test light: A simple 12-volt test light (not a multimeter) is essential.
3. The diagnostic connector: This is usually a small rectangular connector located under the dash, often near the steering column. You might need to consult your owner's manual or a wiring diagram to locate it precisely. It often has only two terminals.
Procedure:
1. Locate the diagnostic connector: Find the connector under the dashboard.
2. Turn the ignition to "ON" (but don't start the engine).
3. Connect one end of the jumper wire to ground (a good metal part of the car's chassis).
4. Connect the other end of the jumper wire to one terminal of the diagnostic connector.
5. Touch the probe of the test light to the other terminal of the diagnostic connector.
6. Observe the test light. The light will flash a series of short and long flashes representing a diagnostic code. A short flash is typically represented by a "1", and a long flash by a "0". For instance, two short flashes followed by one long flash would be "110".
7. Record the code(s). The sequence of flashes will repeat until you turn the ignition off. You'll need a 1984 Chevrolet Impala specific troubleshooting manual or a repair manual to decode these flashes into specific trouble codes and their corresponding problems. These manuals will have a table that matches the flash patterns to specific issues.
Important Considerations:
* Manual Required: You absolutely *need* a repair manual specific to your 1984 Chevrolet Impala to interpret the flashing codes. The codes are not standardized across car makes and models from that era.
* Multiple Codes: There might be multiple codes, one after another. Note down each code sequence separately.
* Troubleshooting: Once you have the code(s), use your repair manual to diagnose and fix the problem. This often involves further testing beyond simply reading the codes.
* Alternator: Be mindful that some alternator issues can manifest in unusual ways with these older systems.
Without a repair manual specific to your 1984 Chevrolet Impala, this process will be difficult, if not impossible. The codes and their meanings are not publicly available information for vehicles this old.
