Any suggestion on a decent cheap diagnostic scanner for a 03 f250

 

If you have a laptop computer this is a inexpensive option:

Amazon.com: ElmScan 5 Compact USB OBD-II Scan Tool & OBDWiz Engine Diagnostic Software (423001): Automotive

It will retrieve stored and pending codes, is CAN compliant (reads many manufacturer specific codes), freeze frame data, graphs sensor data, retrieves vehicle software id, and has a handy "dash board" function that can be customized to show what ever gauges you want your passenger to watch during a test drive. The software it ships with is kinda slow and limited but they offer upgrades. It ships as a cable and a disk. It wont command any actuators or initiate any tests like pro software does but for $30 it does alot and works pretty well on a Ford truck, a few of my buddies vehicles, and even my wifes Volvo.

If you don't have a computer, the ScanGauge II is the obvious choice for low-buck data tools.

ScanGauge - Trip Computer + Digitial Gauges + ScanTools

It looks like a trip computer thing at first, but the real value for us is the XGauge features. It will display any sensor on the data bus as a gauge so you can see your coolant temp for example as a number, in degrees. You will quickly find out how little information is displayed on the factory gauges. It will display 40 sumthing gauges 4 at a time and can be switched around very quickly once it"s set up. It will also retrieve codes, and it does the MPG stuff also. I think every 6.0 should have been built with one of these things in it. At $150 or less if you shop around, it's a bargain!

I had an Innova handheld scanner for a few months but it wasn't nearly as useful as either one of the above options.

 

Both in my budget which would you get? the scangauge is at the top of my budget but if it's the better tool that would be the way Id want to go any pros and cons of either? Thanks

 

I use OTC 3100 , I can read codes and live data around 110 bucks on Oreilly auto

 

Mr wrench the keep those in stock or you have to order it

 

ScanGauge will be more useful in the long run I think, mostly because it can stay in the truck and it does so much in a small device.

 

Will that OTC pick up bad injectors and read fuel pressure?

 

to check the fuel pressure you don't need an scanner .

 

Fuel pressure isn't on the data bus. You'll need to install a sender and gauge to monitor that. Some of the more expensive monitors will display fuel pressure if you purchase and install the optional sending unit. Low pressure ( crankcase) oil is same. Also exhaust gas temp.

 

I have a 3140 innova or some thing from oreilys and the SG

SG is the best for this truck you really need to see certain things that dont always trigger a cel

X2 SG

 

I have a scanguage and it works good for the price.

 

AE will read bad injectors. For the cost of e AE program plus the Ford Enhancement License it really is worth it. One of the staple software programs that is on my various computers.

 

Is that AE software really as simple to use as advertised?

 

To me yes, but my 96 yr old grandma might say otherwise. You still have to be comfortable around computers, if you are, the software is intuitive.

 

Seems to me the scangauge is the way to go a lot of you are using it and like it so that says alot to me looking to buy something like that How hard is the installation? Is it a plug and play type system?