Honestly I never had any luck with the paperclip method on my 95. although that was before I replaced the PCM. I have not tried it with the 94 PCM I have in it now. But I can tell you how to build your own USB cable with a $15 part off amazon and a free program for your windows laptop that should communicate with it. I had no issues with it myself and ended up investing into the licensed version of the program to have the extra features.
Here is how to do it.... to build your own cable. follow the DP link and order the part linked in the amazon link. then setup the software from GMTDscan (free version) the software will allow you to read and clear codes, see live data and a few more things without paying anything. if you want to set the timing after an IP replacement you will need to pay for the license.
Link to building the cable... Note: if there is an issue cross posting this forum link Please let me know. I can copy and paste the main details here instead.
Ok, first off, most of us know you can download GMTDScan from http://www.enghmotors.com/ and buy an ALDL cable that supports 8192 baud communication and scan your truck....but the cables seem to run $55-$75 and up! Which I found a bit silly.....if its a cable, then you can build your...
www.dieselplace.com
the USB part you will need from amazon...
windows drivers for the USB amazon part... Note: you want both the VCP and V2xx drivers and set the device to com port 1 or 2 in the device manager. it's a limitation of the GMTDscan software that needs to be on com 1 or 2.
ftdichip.com
download GMTDscan basic version here... the licensed version is $100 on their website. I purchased it directly from them and a license was emailed to me.
www.gmtdscan.com