Affordable code reader?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
Likes: 6
From: Cabot, Arkansas
In my experience anyway. I've used an older Superchips programmer and a Predator to scan my truck. Both were programmed to something else.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Marv, what Scott said.
Whether it's VIN locked or not, the Predator I have can always be used as a stand-alone code reader too.
Same with my SCT Xcal 2.
I've read codes on many vehicles with both units.
Stewart
Whether it's VIN locked or not, the Predator I have can always be used as a stand-alone code reader too.
Same with my SCT Xcal 2.
I've read codes on many vehicles with both units.
Stewart
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
If you have an Android phone get the Torque app and an Ebay bluetooth OBDII port reader for a total of like $16. Does lots more than just scan the codes, but nothing like the utility of AE.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
If you have an Android phone get the Torque app and an Ebay bluetooth OBDII port reader for a total of like $16. Does lots more than just scan the codes, but nothing like the utility of AE.
Is this confirmed to work on 1999-2003 strokers?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,093
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From: San Diego, CA
I have one that I use on my '03. It's obviously no AE but it does the job. If you want live data, though, while you're driving you'll end up spending about $100 for a good bluetooth OBDII transmitter (I have a Kiwi PLX). You can get by with a Chinese $20 transmitter if you need to.
I also have an Actron code reader that I got at Pep Boys for about $60 that has served me well for over 5 years now (reads and clears codes).
I also have an Actron code reader that I got at Pep Boys for about $60 that has served me well for over 5 years now (reads and clears codes).
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
Yep, works on 7.3 and 6.0. More development for 6.0 actually. You'll need to add some Ford specific PIDs but that's a free two minute job. You can read all kindsa fancy stuff like IPR, hpop pressure, boost, fuel pulse width etc. I have a cheapo chinese bluetooth obd port reader and it works fine, which is apparently not common. It'll do a hpop health check, but it would be much easier to read on a tablet size rather than my dink phone screen. It will log the data and send via bluetooth to your computer but I have not yet figured out how to display the stupid log. Download the free version for a taste. I ended up buying the full version because I felt something that cool deserved a reward. Gee-whiz feature I have not tried is track logging; simultaneously log data and shoot video, so you can set up the phone on the dash to record track time and view recorded engine parameters, g loading for braking/corners, hp, etc later while watching the video. The blue words in my prior post are links (but not the blue words in my sig, o hey-ull no!) check 'em out. I imagine it would help if you have some smartphone/android expertise but even as a noob I'm getting there.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
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Likes: 42
This TopTak is iffy. It has not read a code on my buddies 2000 with a constant SES. It won't display the VIN under vehicle info either, so we have our doubts. Old green just started with an intermittent SES and it doesn't show a code either 
..... Tomorrow, we are gonna unplug some stuff and see if it will read a code at all.
Neither of our trucks run any differently when the SES comes on, so we are starting to wonder if it is something wrong that won't throw a code at all....
..... Tomorrow, we are gonna unplug some stuff and see if it will read a code at all.Neither of our trucks run any differently when the SES comes on, so we are starting to wonder if it is something wrong that won't throw a code at all....
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
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From: Pea Ridge, AR
This TopTak is iffy. It has not read a code on my buddies 2000 with a constant SES. It won't display the VIN under vehicle info either, so we have our doubts. Old green just started with an intermittent SES and it doesn't show a code either ..... Tomorrow, we are gonna unplug some stuff and see if it will read a code at all.
Neither of our trucks run any differently when the SES comes on, so we are starting to wonder if it is something wrong that won't throw a code at all....
..... Tomorrow, we are gonna unplug some stuff and see if it will read a code at all.Neither of our trucks run any differently when the SES comes on, so we are starting to wonder if it is something wrong that won't throw a code at all....
I was wondering what the outcome was going to be, as I don't have any personal experience with "cheaper" code readers.
Hate to hear this though. You do have a code stored.
If you'd like to test it, unplug the ICP sensor. It will set the SES light to test. IIRC P1280 is the code.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
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Alan, we'll try that ICP code tomorrow and see what happens. If it doesn't read it, we might try one or those $10 ELM327 readers.
thanks everyone, hopefully we can find just a simple low cost code reader....
thanks everyone, hopefully we can find just a simple low cost code reader....
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
Looking forward to you finding one, although I have good ones, I would like something to recommend to those that ask, like yourself, for a cheaper option.
The only one that I know of is a Scanguage that is cheaper, and can view some live data, as well as perform BUZZ tests.
The only one that I know of is a Scanguage that is cheaper, and can view some live data, as well as perform BUZZ tests.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
Looking forward to you finding one, although I have good ones, I would like something to recommend to those that ask, like yourself, for a cheaper option.
The only one that I know of is a Scanguage that is cheaper, and can view some live data, as well as perform BUZZ tests.
The only one that I know of is a Scanguage that is cheaper, and can view some live data, as well as perform BUZZ tests.
really hope so. it is hard to believe you cannot find just a simple, low cost, code reader.
Yes, if you want full diags and such, then AE (or Snap-Op readers, etc...) are the way to go. However, our trucks are not in their prime anymore. Old green is 13, his is 12, and for someone to tell us it takes at least a $500 machine to just read the OBD2 codes is just asinine.
Will definitely keep everyone up to date. Special thanks to Tim for answering all our questions.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
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i assume no legal matter if devise fails to cooperate. My provisions are solely part of my own independent attribulations... 
ya dave, bummer to hear the problems with it. Al beat me to it, with unplugg'n the/a sensor, and see what happens.
Is it possible for a CEL light to come on/exist, by means of no sensor triggering it...via solenoid, idm, pcm..etc.
ya dave, bummer to hear the problems with it. Al beat me to it, with unplugg'n the/a sensor, and see what happens.
Is it possible for a CEL light to come on/exist, by means of no sensor triggering it...via solenoid, idm, pcm..etc.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
OK, so we unplugged the ICP and turned on the truck for a few minutes. Turned it off and then tried reading the codes....
TopTak = no codes
We are gonna send this thing back. Damn it , was really stoked. Guess we will try the BT one next or maybe just try to score a cheap predator.
TopTak = no codes
We are gonna send this thing back. Damn it , was really stoked. Guess we will try the BT one next or maybe just try to score a cheap predator.