Best code scanner for the $?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 311
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From: Houston, TX
Best code scanner for the $?
With my constant problems on my 08 6.4 throwing the engine oil overfilled code P252F, I want to buy a scan tool to keep in my truck so that I dont get stuck 300 miles from home and can only drive 50 mph the whole way. I get dirty looks on the highway, it takes forever and is unsafe. I don't want to spend a lot of $ but want to buy one that will read and clear my trouble codes. Harbor freight, Oreilly, auto zone, amazon?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
I can't speak for any of the code readers because I don't have one. However, I use the app TorquePro on my smartphone. It will do the basics of reading and clearing codes and can also be used as a monitor. Of course, you would need a smartphone and an OBDII bluetooth adaptor. I bought a cheap one off amazon for $10 and it worked fine for a couple of years. However, it quit working with my Expedition so I spent a little more money and got a better on. There are also other apps such as DashCommand where you can purchase the enhanced Ford PID code set.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
I downloaded FORscan a couple of days ago, but have not hooked it up to a vehicle. From the reviews I read, it sounds pretty nice. Being able to read ABS codes would be a huge plus. I had a wheel speed sensor go out on my Expedition. I drove around for 6 months with an ABS light on until I found an app (Car Gauge Pro) that could read ABS codes. However, I don't recommend Car Gauge Pro. I spent hours sitting in my truck trying to get it to pair with my bluetooth adaptor. Once it would pair, it would crash. Finally, the stars and moon aligned just right and it connected and actually read the code (left front). All the time I spend sitting in the truck messing with the app I could have changed both the left and right sensors and been done with it.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 145
Likes: 2
From: Great Falls Montana
I used both Torque Pro and Car Gauge Pro to troubleshoot a no start problem on my 99-7.3.
Torque let me read and log all the data you need using a very friendly user interface but you cannot set things in the PCM, like doing a buzz test. I used CGP to do the buzz test and it worked with some reservations. The UI is horrible, it takes 14 steps to get to the buzz test. Once there it runs the test with no problems but it might leave your PCM in a confused state or as in my case error codes from a previous run were not cleared out.
Torque let me read and log all the data you need using a very friendly user interface but you cannot set things in the PCM, like doing a buzz test. I used CGP to do the buzz test and it worked with some reservations. The UI is horrible, it takes 14 steps to get to the buzz test. Once there it runs the test with no problems but it might leave your PCM in a confused state or as in my case error codes from a previous run were not cleared out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,006
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From: San Jose, CA
I use an AutoEnginuity with the Ford add-on. $360. It runs on a laptop, unfortunately, so it's not as convenient as those that run on a phone or tablet.
It will read and access far more Ford-specific codes than most off-the-shelf units, it'll let you program spare keys if you only have 1 original key, and it'll let you run diagnostics on the truck. I even used it to diagnose which specific blend door was misbehaving and making continuous but intermittent ticking noises to prove it to the dealer since they could not duplicate it while I was still under warranty.
It will read and access far more Ford-specific codes than most off-the-shelf units, it'll let you program spare keys if you only have 1 original key, and it'll let you run diagnostics on the truck. I even used it to diagnose which specific blend door was misbehaving and making continuous but intermittent ticking noises to prove it to the dealer since they could not duplicate it while I was still under warranty.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Houston, TX
Update, I bought a Bluetooth scanner from Amazon for $25 and downloaded the torque app for my android phone for $5. I've used it to clear 20 plus codes and it works great. I would highly recommend it and it also does 0-60, and other things. All for $30 and has saved me hundreds to thousands of dollars so far.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 17
ScanGauge II for permanent installation in the truck to monitor such important parameters as DPF temp to determine when you are in regen and when the temp has returned to <700F and it's safe to shutdown, as well as coolant and oil temps to ensure they aren't more than 10F apart once the engine has warmed up. It also has basic code reader functionality.
AutoEnginuity for advanced diagnostics like live data graphs, and to record baseline engine data for later comparisons. I'm not aware of anything more advanced than AutoEnginuity that isn't 10X the price.
AutoEnginuity for advanced diagnostics like live data graphs, and to record baseline engine data for later comparisons. I'm not aware of anything more advanced than AutoEnginuity that isn't 10X the price.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 537
Likes: 3
From: Carvel, AB, Canada
ScanGauge II for permanent installation in the truck to monitor such important parameters as DPF temp to determine when you are in regen and when the temp has returned to <700F and it's safe to shutdown, as well as coolant and oil temps to ensure they aren't more than 10F apart once the engine has warmed up. It also has basic code reader functionality.
AutoEnginuity for advanced diagnostics like live data graphs, and to record baseline engine data for later comparisons. I'm not aware of anything more advanced than AutoEnginuity that isn't 10X the price.
AutoEnginuity for advanced diagnostics like live data graphs, and to record baseline engine data for later comparisons. I'm not aware of anything more advanced than AutoEnginuity that isn't 10X the price.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2
Equus Inova makes a scan tool that can check engine, transmission, & ABS codes and clear the codes. I have seen them for $200-$250 online at toolsource.com and similar sites. I've also seen the basic ones at Walmart. I think Sears may also carry them. Equus seems to offer more features for the $ than the ones at Autozone, Advance, or O'Rielly.
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makomarine
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Feb 18, 2008 10:40 PM