Hey all - I have a 96 F150 XL with a straight 6-cyl engine. The engine light is on and I see that there is a computer diagnostic port in the cab under the dash. Before I start putting in new parts, is there some sort of home-use diagnostic tool that I can purchase to use with this port to find out what the problem is? Is that what this port is for? Will it tell me that exact problem or will it just tell me the system being affected? Any feedback would be welcome. THANKS! - Patrick

 

If you have an autozone near you, they will pull the codes for free.

 

yeah they can put something on there but will they retrieve the right codes i drove 45 miles to have them do mine and the *******s couldn't stick thier finger up thier bumhole. So if you can't find a code take it somewhere else

 

UGLY TRUCKS RULE! - Do you mean they will use their own equipment to get the code from the vehicle?

 

yeah pull something off the shelf and use one of thier Haynes manuals to decipher the codes

 

yeah 95blackf150.....I know what ya mean...ya got about a 50/50 chance on getting someone with alot of knowledge or interest in helping you solve your problem....ya can get a scan tool for about $50 or so and crab a haynes manual for $15 and do it yourself passlett. Then youll always have it handy.

 

I checked the codes on my 1987 with a Haynes manual and multimeter. If you leave the jumper in you can check them over and over 'til you get 'em right. I guess removing the jumper wire erases the codes though so make sure you've got what you want before doing that. Maybe the newer models are different though?

 

On a '96, it has OBD-II. An OBD-II checker is $125 or more. That is what Auto Zone will do for you. They will walk out and connect theirs to the Data Link Connector. If no codes come up, then you may be in EFMF or HLOS mode. Head on down to the dealer if you want a real test. They have a STAR tester and an EEC-V breakout box to do a thorough job. There is no "jumper wire" or cheap checker for an vehicle with EEC-V and OBD-II. I have a 1996 Ford F-150 also. For anyone else, you can get an OBD-I checker at Wal-Mart for $25. No, OBD-I doesn't work on our '96's. DANG!! I wish they did.

Auto Zone couldn't get any codes at all to come up on mine, so after reading in a Chilton manual, I found it is in EFMF or HLOS mode. I went to my local dealer today and spoke with a service person. He said if it was running fine, that he wouldn't worry about it. He said he had driven his truck for over a year like that. My dad did the same on his 2001.

Hope this helps,
jasonwho

 

Actually there is a cheap OBD-II checker. Go to harbor frieght tools (www.harborfreighttools.com). They carry one for around $30. I have used it many times and it is very usefull.