Pulling Codes - 1985 F150
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 781
Likes: 8
From: Sanford, NC
On a 1985 vintage Ford the computer is one of the first. It is OBD I. The red connector
will have a place it hooks up to and the small grey one also hooks up to a terminal.
I only have experience with and OBD I reader on this vintage of Ford vehicles but I would think that the reader you have would worlk the same on these vehicles.
The first step is a warmed up engine and a KOEO, key on engine off, test. I think prior to 1991 the codes will be 2 digits. After 1991 the codes are 3 digits.
Read the instructions with your reader very carefully and especially about testing
OBD I vehicles. I think your reader might be more focused on OBD II Vehicles.
Good luck with your truck and any repairs that you have to make to it.
will have a place it hooks up to and the small grey one also hooks up to a terminal.
I only have experience with and OBD I reader on this vintage of Ford vehicles but I would think that the reader you have would worlk the same on these vehicles.
The first step is a warmed up engine and a KOEO, key on engine off, test. I think prior to 1991 the codes will be 2 digits. After 1991 the codes are 3 digits.
Read the instructions with your reader very carefully and especially about testing
OBD I vehicles. I think your reader might be more focused on OBD II Vehicles.
Good luck with your truck and any repairs that you have to make to it.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
Thanks much!
I've done all you've indicated but with the same results. I also checked voltage with my voltmeter and there's 14.6 coming from one of the connectors and 5.1 from another. There's certainly voltage coming through.
The problem might be with the grey connector. I'll have to experiment a bit. I have a few of those grey connectors (unattached to anything) in the engine compartment. Could I be using the wrong one?
I've done all you've indicated but with the same results. I also checked voltage with my voltmeter and there's 14.6 coming from one of the connectors and 5.1 from another. There's certainly voltage coming through.
The problem might be with the grey connector. I'll have to experiment a bit. I have a few of those grey connectors (unattached to anything) in the engine compartment. Could I be using the wrong one?
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Oh, come on, guys, take a breather. 
WhatsAChevy (forget your real name) is just trying to help.
The gray connector is right near the big, red one, as you've already found. I don't use a code reader and can't really offer much more than has already been offered, make sure the connectors are clean and connections are adequate. Why that thing doesn't appear to be working, I have no idea but it's kind of ominous if you ask me.
You say you're measuring voltage at the plugs, that's good... I would next try the manual method (count flashes) with a test light and see if you can get any reaction, here are some instructions that should help:
Ford Ranger - Testing EEC-IV Equipped Engines
WhatsAChevy (forget your real name) is just trying to help.The gray connector is right near the big, red one, as you've already found. I don't use a code reader and can't really offer much more than has already been offered, make sure the connectors are clean and connections are adequate. Why that thing doesn't appear to be working, I have no idea but it's kind of ominous if you ask me.
You say you're measuring voltage at the plugs, that's good... I would next try the manual method (count flashes) with a test light and see if you can get any reaction, here are some instructions that should help:
Ford Ranger - Testing EEC-IV Equipped Engines
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
This isn't the first time people have had problems with code readers; the real mystery will be if you can't get any blinkenlights in the test light, THAT becomes a problem.
Ideally, you would try the reader on an entirely different OBD-I vehicle and see if the same problem exists there or not... but you likely don't have any other such vehicles around so that's not possible.
Ideally, you would try the reader on an entirely different OBD-I vehicle and see if the same problem exists there or not... but you likely don't have any other such vehicles around so that's not possible.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
I will test it on my wife's 2007 odyssey and my 2007 Dodge Dakota to see what my results are.
But you are right, I don't have another vintage vehicle to test it on.
But you are right, I don't have another vintage vehicle to test it on.
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