scan tool recomendation
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
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scan tool recomendation
i'm new at this and have a 2000f450 with 203k on it. i have the ford manuals and now need a cheap scan tool to read the sensors and codes. what are the recomendations. thanks tom
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 1
From: Scenic Wisconsin
You can get an inexpensive (<$150.) code reader at any parts store. AutoZone will actually pull codes for free of your SES light is on.
If you're interested in a diagnostic tool that is also a performance enhancement, try the Diablo Predator.
If you're interested in a diagnostic tool that is also a performance enhancement, try the Diablo Predator.
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
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wow, not as many reply's as i expected. thanks oppy for your 2 cent's. if i understand correctly the diesel uses different codes than a gasser. therefor the scan tool must be diesel specific. is this correct? now which tool to use. i work on my own stuff and thought you guy's would be great help with this. tom
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 1
From: Scenic Wisconsin
Originally posted by tlowe
is this correct?
is this correct?
If you are able to retrieve a code and you don't know what it means, just post it here and I'm sure someone will help.
btw - I took a look at my reader, and it was made by Actron. I think I got it at Auto Zone a few years back.
Good luck!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: On A Ship, MI
spend the mony and buy the snap on one its like 4000$ but its worth every penny. it will show you every thing that you motor is doing. misfires in each cylnder, %of power being used, how much fuel is being used /ratio to air& fuel it will tell you every thing.
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Freshman User
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the snap on one sounds nice but 4000 is alot on the pricey side. i have also pondered using the 300 dollar actron unit . actron said it is designed to be used on vehicles below 8500gvw. above that weight and the vehicles are exempt from obdII. is this true, has any one used this scanner with success? tom
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 83
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From: michigan
WOW, its not getting any easier, to make a good desicion on what to get, I thought about a preditor programer at $400 bucks then I will have to go guages and exhaust for about $800 bucks then Im spending alot more , truck runs good so far and I not sure if chipping it and all the other mods will hurt or help me.Im pulling a fifth wheel with it and getting about 12/13 mpg and about 20/21mpg empty. only problem I notice with truck now is a little sluggish getting going when cold, and being new to ford diesels not sure thats a real problem, as I dont really push it to hard. thanks for all the help , going to check on snap on site now . 01psd
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Texas, just south of NY c
01psd , If your happy and satisfied with the performance of your truck then save your money and spend it on maintenance instead of all those un necessary power enhancements. Taken collectively , all they are really going to do is Reduce the Longivity of your engine in my opinion. These engines are very expensive to work on without spending money on trying to make "Diesel Ricers" out of them. But, everybody has a different opinion and that's what freedom is all about........s.kuteman
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: michigan
SKUTEMAN, thanks for your input. I guess what im trying do is get this truck to preform at its max, with out hurting it. I traded my 2001f-150 with5.4 for the 2001 f-350 I have now. pulling my 5th wheel with the f-150 milage was about 8mpg. now im getting about 13/14mpg. being retired I wanted to travel the USA and see our country. and with all the expences of keeping up a diesel that is why Im trying to get this truck to preform at its best. I keep this truck maintained real good, thats why I come to this site so I can learn more. thanks again. 01psd
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,136
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From: Scenic Wisconsin
Originally posted by tlowe
actron said it is designed to be used on vehicles below 8500gvw. above that weight and the vehicles are exempt from obdII. is this true, has any one used this scanner with success?
actron said it is designed to be used on vehicles below 8500gvw. above that weight and the vehicles are exempt from obdII. is this true, has any one used this scanner with success?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
Originally posted by rangersvt04
spend the mony and buy the snap on one its like 4000$ but its worth every penny. it will show you every thing that you motor is doing. misfires in each cylnder, %of power being used, how much fuel is being used /ratio to air& fuel it will tell you every thing.
spend the mony and buy the snap on one its like 4000$ but its worth every penny. it will show you every thing that you motor is doing. misfires in each cylnder, %of power being used, how much fuel is being used /ratio to air& fuel it will tell you every thing.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,780
Likes: 98
From: Phoenix, AZ
Check out this site. Same company that makes the readers for Auto Zone but they are for sale on the site and at various other auto stores. Some read and display the code in text other just the code.
http://www.autoxray.com/dealers.aspx
http://www.autoxray.com/dealers.aspx
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 141
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From: Midwest in Harry's Town
Try E-bay. I got my Actron for $75.00/shipping and Auto Zone wanted about $150.00. It reads all the codes and if you come across something you don't understand, a little research will give you allot of sites that will explain the codes. Or just submit a request here.
You can also get CD's on E-bay that are from Ford and have all the codes on them. Just takes a little time and research.
That's the cheap way to go. But if you want a cheap way to view your sensors and other things the Predator is great. I have one and like it allot.
They are having a sale now for $369.00 on the Predator. That is with one day shipping to. Its a good deal. Before they were about $400.00. and the Predator has allot of ways to do things.
You can also get CD's on E-bay that are from Ford and have all the codes on them. Just takes a little time and research.
That's the cheap way to go. But if you want a cheap way to view your sensors and other things the Predator is great. I have one and like it allot.
They are having a sale now for $369.00 on the Predator. That is with one day shipping to. Its a good deal. Before they were about $400.00. and the Predator has allot of ways to do things.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,780
Likes: 98
From: Phoenix, AZ