My 1991 Ford F-150 had the "Check Engine" light come on. The truck starts and runs beautifully, with zero problems of any kind. It will go off on it's own, sometimes the very next time I start it. Or sometimes it will stay on for a while, then go off. I have no idea what type of scanner to buy that will tell me what it is. And I don't even know where to plug it in if I had one. I have never used one.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on one of these. I could take it to Auto Zone or O'Reilly and ask them. But if I can get a scanner for a reasonable price, I'd like to do it myself. Any suggestions on which one?

 

There is no scanner for this vintage EFI system there are only code readers and the one to get is the Equus 3145

https://www.walmart.com/ip/INNOVA-31...eader/16606975

 

Thanks. I can live with $37 bucks. That's not bad. Where is the receptacle on the vehicle to plug it in? Is it under the hood, or under the dash?

 

under the hood, next to the driver side hood hinge.

 

 

Thanks for the help!

 

..........

 

Nope, not for a 1991.
It is on the driver front inter fender.
It when under the hood, next to the driver side hood hinge in 1992.

It is under the cover and labeld EEC test in the below photo.
Location LH Fender Apron.
Attachment 280131
/

 

oh ok. i figured it was there for all trucks. all my diesels had it next to the hood hinge, even though it does nothing.

 

I noticed this as soon as I looked under my hood. Thanks for confirming it.

 

Are these readers simple to use? Just plug them in and start the car, or what?

 

They're easy. You plug both connectors into the scan tool, turn the ignition to ON but not starting it. Turn scan tool on, should be a start/run button on the tool and it does the rest. Keep pen and paper handy to write the codes down, the sequence they appear is important, some will bey Key On Engine Off (hard/active faults), it will flash 10 then it will display Continuous Memory (inactive codes). It will display all codes twice all the way through each sequence, when the last code is read it will stop the test.

 

The code reader should come with a book that has a TON of useful info in it on how to run all tests properly. If I recall it even includes the codes so you can look them up. Also available is a 6 foot cord so you can plug it into the connector and sit in the drivers seat to run various tests and look at the display. well worth the money. Picked mine up on that place that starts with an "A"

 

I have this reader as well. I believe that you can run an auto check of all the relays and fuel pump when it checks for codes. Really useful.

 

Can someone provide a photo of this code reader, and with it hooked up?