If I get into that, I want something versatile, that will cover everything and be hassle-free
Too many times recently, a scanner that was accurate and covered a range of models would have saved the day for myself and friends of mine.

~THAT, and a fuel pressure guage set.

 

AutoEnginuity with the Ford Enhancement bundle is what you would want.

Riffraff Diesel: AutoEnginuity Total Ford Enhanced Bundle

If you want more vehicles, you'll have to buy the license for each make that you are wanting all functions.

The base program will pull codes etc from the general powertrain, but if you want the "nitty gritty" or want to be able to even read the older diesels with computers, you'll need the license for each make.

That one is for the Ford bundle, they do have a domestic bundle as well. Even though it is in the 6.0 section, it will work with other models and makes.

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I'm interested mainly in 1/4 ton Ranger, Escort, Fiesta, Festiva, and Mustang cars

(but you never know what might turn up - like the T-birds my neighbor is collecting all of a sudden)

 

It'll handle it. It's just if you want the nitty gritty, you'll have to get that extra license as well. Otherwise it will just be like the code readers that Autozone uses to read codes for free. Only general powertrain codes (typically emissions related).
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Didn't know A-Zone would shoot codes. I'll look at it then...

~Thanks!

 

What you listed makes me recommend OTC for a good scan tool . Not too expensive and full function depending on the one you get . If looking for cheep and good , Launch makes a couple of good ones in the $150-350 range . I own OTC , Launch and Snap On . For quick and easy I grab one of my Launch scan tools. For more I go with one of the others .

 

OTC?

PREGUNTA? (Little question)

Is it more of a professional toolset, like SNAPOFF would be?

(That's kind of an inside-out joke. I could tell you stories about SNAPON tools, like the more than forty year old screwdriver with a chipped blade they replaced for me free of charge)

*The tool truck guy replaced the shaft - and told me they don't make the handles like that anymore, so they are collectible classics. It was the first tool I ever bought from SNAPON

I STILL HAVE IT IN MY BOX!

 

Snap on has started making the old handles again .Too much griping about the new ergo handles , that do not my small hands well , from too many people . OTC is a tool maker that tools up for some OE tools . They make a good affordable scan tool that works well with more functions and extras than others in their price range . You could not give me most that are sold at parts stores . Launch does make some good tools ,but they are Chinese . Still good though .

 

I would still vote for AE and it has a lot of functions, I think you would be surprised and very reasonably priced considering what it can do. It's amazing what it can do with all the separate vehicles that we have here.

I really hate it when people add in that part. Really irrelevant in of itself. They make good stuff and they make crap stuff. Part of the reason why they make crap stuff is that you have people here that buy the crap stuff to begin with.

Just have to be smart in what you are looking at buying.

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The reason I added that bit ... Some will not touch Chinese tools with a 10 foot pole . I can understand . But heck , most of the parts in electronics are made overseas . I have little knowledge of AE . I will look into them further . I work on many makes and need a flexible scanner . With my OTC I do not have to buy extra software ( for domestic ) Nor with my Snap On or Launch . I just know what I like and have used . That is the basis of my recommendations .

 

I have no doubt about that, as illogical as that is just based solely on where it is assembled, produced etc.

You don't have to buy "additional" software (maybe additional OBD plugs depending on the make). It's all built into one software, you do have to buy additional license (or keys) that unlocks extra portions of the software.

Think of it as a scanner "buffet", take what you want and leave the rest. It helps keep costs down in some respects.

It's what is known as "modular" in terms of software.

Even if you were to pay for all the licenses and plugs for the software, it's still cheap compared to Fords IDS, which compared to the CAD/CAM software that I use, even that's still cheap as it's half as much as my CAD software (maybe even a little more then half).

Even if you were to just buy the program without any license, that base program will still read from the general powertrain from all OBD complaint vehicles, but it will only read from that one module. Very much like the code readers that you find at most of the auto stores.

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It IS true that a quality tool may come from just about anywhere, from what I understand - snapon is now OWNED by a Chinese company (or group of investors) but has that changed their tools any?

I just want a practical and versatile unit that will give me the info I need as a readout, no more counting pulses, and maybe missing a critical one - or things like that. With the ability to look at separate systems if necessary depending on what the focus is.

And I only want to shell out for ONE! Not one for this, another for these, and so on down the merry way...

 

AE is ONE software. The license is to enable special features for a specific (or group) of makes that you might deal with, but you don't have to spend for special features for makes that you don't deal with.

By special features, I mean (as far as the 6.0 goes) running injector contribution tests, being able to activate the fuel pump with only the key on, being able to recalibrate the speedo for up to 40" tires (dealerships can only do 37" if I recall correctly). It does a helluva lot more then that, those are just the things that always pop in my mind first.

If you go into the 6.0 sub forum, AE is used by quite a few as a diag tool. At $360 (for just the Ford license) it pays for itself in code reading alone and with the 6.0 that is code pulling on all 9 modules and you can pull sensors and readings for all those modules as well. Most of your other scan tools in the same price range don't have anywhere near that support for diesels especially.

For more mobility, I also use the DashDAQ (which is also the platform for tuning my 6.0 as well) and even with that device, if you want to be able to get all the sensors to datalog you have to pay a little extra for the Ford license. Just the way that it is and that device costs more then AE with the Ford capability and doesn't offer the testing abilities that AE has as well.

If JWC can posts links to the specific ones that he is talking about, I can look at them and see how they stack up to AE.

EDIT: This just came to me. The ole ball and chain has an RDX, so I also have the Honda license on mine. Now on the dash of the RDX it has a graphic of the vehicle and it has lights that come on by the wheels when the TPS sets off a low pressure warning. However, there is no where on the dash that displays that tire pressure. AE will be able to go in there and pull how much pressure the TPS is reading. That's how "nitty gritty" that it can get with what you can pull from the vehicles using that software and the extra license.


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DANG...

The price is a bit much to swallow for a hobbiest user, but I also wanted to make a few coin on the side, truth to tell

I DO want the best


PS: I have a full professional fuel pressure guage set on it's way - should arrive by UPS in the next few days, with all the adaptors and other goodies

PPS: Recalibrating the speedo was a thing I didn't expect at all....

 

Look at the OTC Genisys , Snap On Modis , Versus . Mac Mentor ( OTC ) Launch Diagaun / x431 . Look into pico oscilloscopes while at it .My Modis has a great 4 channel lab scope . My old Matco MD1000 is the one I would recommend ( OTC ) still made , with color display now . It has been upgraded and is sold under other names . A good scan tool for about $1200-1400 . For cheep I would buy a Launch Creeder VI .