scanners?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 35
scanners?
I need one to accomodate '87 and '89 Fords with EEC-IV and also for '93 GM with OBDI.
I used a snap-on mt2500 scanner, which can accomodate all of these, but it is expensive. Hundreds. Are they all that expensive? Any alternatives to snap-on scanner?
I used a snap-on mt2500 scanner, which can accomodate all of these, but it is expensive. Hundreds. Are they all that expensive? Any alternatives to snap-on scanner?
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 566
Likes: 5
From: SC
I couldn't say on the 93 GM, but on the older GM's we just put a jumper wire across the diagnostic terminals and just counted the "check engine" flashes and looked up the codes in the manual. Thos may be different for 93's though.
On my 87 Bronco and 89 F150 the procedure is much the same only with the addition of a cheapo analog multimeter. Instructions and codes downloaded from the internet; free. Walmart multimeter; $6. Piece of wire for a jumper, laying around the garage. Total investment of $6, and the multimeter is useful for other things too.
On my 87 Bronco and 89 F150 the procedure is much the same only with the addition of a cheapo analog multimeter. Instructions and codes downloaded from the internet; free. Walmart multimeter; $6. Piece of wire for a jumper, laying around the garage. Total investment of $6, and the multimeter is useful for other things too.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 35
Yes, I mean code readers.
I have tried all of the above. I jumped the pins on this '93 GM and the codes flash on the CEL. On my Ford sedan, I have cheapo Ford scanner which flashes out the codes. The Ford truck has the same interface of course, so I imagine that same scanner would work.
I tried the multimeter trick with the Ford, before I got the scanner, and I couldn't get it to work. Tried for 2 hours in fact, just made me mad. Not sure why. It seems so simple on paper.
If you want to pull codes often, a real code reader is the only way to go, as counting the flashes gets real tedious real fast. I used this SnapOn scanner, and it is nice. Also expensive as h3ll.
I have tried all of the above. I jumped the pins on this '93 GM and the codes flash on the CEL. On my Ford sedan, I have cheapo Ford scanner which flashes out the codes. The Ford truck has the same interface of course, so I imagine that same scanner would work.
I tried the multimeter trick with the Ford, before I got the scanner, and I couldn't get it to work. Tried for 2 hours in fact, just made me mad. Not sure why. It seems so simple on paper.
If you want to pull codes often, a real code reader is the only way to go, as counting the flashes gets real tedious real fast. I used this SnapOn scanner, and it is nice. Also expensive as h3ll.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Canton MI
You might look into the mid-range scanners like the Auto-XRAY. These are in the $200 - $300 range but do more than just flash the codes. Mine is an XP240 for which you can get cables for Ford, GM and Chrysler OBD1. On some vehicles it will pull real-time sensor data as well as trouble codes, nice for diagnostics.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
For under $200 you can get the AutoXray EZ-2000 that will read codes on the 93 GM and 87/89 Ford. I bought mine from northerntools.com. Make sure your code reader comes with the correct OBD cable. I had to return mine after using the wrong OBD II cable when it fried the scanner. Since the manual said "yellow" and all I had was green, I assumed that it was a misprint or an upgraded cable since the box said OBDII. It was not the correct cable. Happy news is I returned it to northern and they sent me out another new one at no cost.
It does not have all the bell and whistles as a NGS or Snap-On though it is very good for driveway mechanics. You will not be turning wiper motors on with it, reprogramming the CPU, and you can not do real time data mapping without upgrading it. Then again, your EEC does not support all that and I am pretty sure the GM does not too.
It does not have all the bell and whistles as a NGS or Snap-On though it is very good for driveway mechanics. You will not be turning wiper motors on with it, reprogramming the CPU, and you can not do real time data mapping without upgrading it. Then again, your EEC does not support all that and I am pretty sure the GM does not too.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,705
Likes: 4
From: Wichita KS
You can buy a scanner for the ford at autozone for about $30-$40. As far as the gm goes anything obd I can be read by jumping the terminal on the diog. port
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I have been looking at an Equus/Innova 3100 OBDII code reader for a while. They are available at Advance Auto on sale at the moment for $129.
Those $30-40 code readers are for OBDI systems. You can use those readers to count the pulses for you or you can count them yourself. I always just counted them myself but then I am cheap. Unfortunately The OBDII stuff is beyond counting
Some of the high priced Scanners actually let you look at real time date coming from sensors etc. They are a real help if you have a loose wire or intermittent sensor such as the TPS etc.
Those $30-40 code readers are for OBDI systems. You can use those readers to count the pulses for you or you can count them yourself. I always just counted them myself but then I am cheap. Unfortunately The OBDII stuff is beyond counting
Some of the high priced Scanners actually let you look at real time date coming from sensors etc. They are a real help if you have a loose wire or intermittent sensor such as the TPS etc.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
From: peoria, az
Once again I have nothing good to say. I bought one of those autox-rays a while back. I had to have the best one they had with all the bells and whistles cause I have an OTC but, it only goes up to 95. (hadn't gotten around to updating it and thought this was a cheaper route) Spent like 500.00 on this thing and it was CRAP! It would tell me I had no codes when I could pull them by hand and see that I did. When I tried to take it back, they said" we can't take it back, it's been used" DUH! Enough of a rant...if you are just looking to pull codes then I would say go with the 30-40 dollar "code readers" at the parts store. They will do everything up to 95 or 96 (when obd2 started). Only thing is that they are usually manufacturer specific so you would have to buy a ford and a chevy and whatever else you wanted.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 35
Autoxray EZ-READ 2000 Advanced Code Reader -- that sounds like what I want.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=43989
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=43989
Last edited by carpe_diem; May 30, 2004 at 06:36 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
From: peoria, az
I would have to pass on that and keep looking. But, that's just me. Get another opinion. What's with all the ?marks? It will not give you all the same info that the dealers use. Do you think they would pay a couple thou for their scanners if it did? It is nice that it will give you codes for obd1 and 2. That I think is about all it will do though. I guess if you went and bought all the seperate readers you would end up spending about the same thing.
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