Just bought a 2005 f250 superduty 6.0 4x4 lairat and the problems are stacking up! I can't find anyone with the correct scanning equipment for this truck in southern baja califonia except the dealers who are modern day robinhoods (65$ for a trans filter) who rarely get the job done right ! looking to buy whatever it takes to read every system on the truck i.e. trans... ! any ideas ?

 

I use a SNap-On Solus with V7.2
You can find this on Ebay or get an
Riffraff Diesel: AutoEnginuity Total Ford Enhanced Bundle

The people that have this seem to be very happy.

Sean

 

I didn't know what I would be happy with, so I decided to spend 20 to $25 on torque pro and see if it would do what I needed ...... Knowing it might not be enough. But it was cheap enough to not matter too much. So far, it's been enough. I may have to upgrade one day, but I'll wait till that time comes.

 

DashBoss does a very nice job pulling codes.

Josh

 

Im searching old threads trying to find a good scanner. The snap on Solus seems to be a good tool especially with the new software upgrades available.

It is a little out of my budget though. I looking at spending $1000 to $1500

I need to be able to diagnos my 06 6L PSD.

Cylinder contribution test, etc,

With the warrantee gone I need to be able to diagnos all engine problems.

Any suggestions are welcome

Thank You

 

My Solus with 7.2 cost me $600
I will upgrade it when I have a need.
That need is about $1000 give or take.
The one thing I can't do is Cylinder contribution.

Sean

 

It's all dependent on your budget. I personally have a Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 ($250) with a Rotunda VCM module ($1500) and Ford IDS software (free download but $600 user license). It's not exactly the most economical setup but it is the same thing the dealer has. I got mine subsidized through work otherwise I never would have been able to afford it.

Beware there are a TON of fake VCM units on eBay. In fact I'd say most of them are fake Chinese knock offs. If you ONLY work on Ford, Mazda, Jaguar, and Land Rover I'd go for the IDS setup but for all around usability I'd look into one of the Snap-on models but they're fairly pricey too.

 

Also, you can use the IDS software without the license and be able do do everything except flash any modules. PCM, TCM, FICM, etc. you will still need the VCM interface module however. Again, don't buy a knock off. If it seems too cheap it is a fake one.

 

I did some reading and the Fake VCM's seem to fail soon.
Nothing worse than dealing with someone in China.
The sellers tend to be here today and gone tomorrow.

Sean

 

Somebody gave me a scanner from Harbor Freight, I tried it just for kicks and it works really good. I think it costs $139.00 It is defiantly worth it

 

Yeah they're junk. I've read about them actually smoking and melting down. I guess the temptation to pay $300 vs. $1500 makes people take the risk but a $300 POS isn't really a good deal in the end...

They look almost identical however. It is very difficult to tell if its fake without calling Rotunda with the serial number.

 

If all you need to do is read codes that will work fine. In fact you can buy a simple pocket scanner for less than $50. If you need more diagnostic capabilities you'll have to step up to something a little more capable. It just depends what you need it to do and your personal skill level as far as diagnostics are concerned. You could have the best equipment available but if you aren't trained to use it, it's not going to do you much good.

 

Auto Enginuity with Ford bundle AutoEnginuity

 

thanks guys and keep the suggestions coming, I still haven't made up my mind ! Its hard being so isolated with a vehicle so dependent on technology . hell I'm using a 5 year old dell computer that i bought 2 years ago and it's my first computer ever ! I FEEL OLD !

 

so far this looks like the best setup for me ! thanks for the info !