I was wondering if anyone knew of a code scanner that could be used on my new 97 explorer and my wifes 97 cavalier. I would like to get a scanner that covers all vehicles, but at least the explorer for now.

THanks,

Hoppy

 

Any OBD-II scanner will work on both vehicles. As to how much information it can access, depends on how much you pay. I have an AutoXray Pro-Pak that works reasonably well. Definately get the Enhanced upgrade to make it more usefull. You can spend anywhere from $39.99 for just a plain OBD-II code reader at Harborfreight Tools to several thousand dollars for a professional grade version. Actron makes a code reader for about $140 at Summit Racing.

 

And you thought they had a standard! Only the plug is standard. There are three allowed protocol formats along with company proprietary for the things you really want like climate control, transmission, 4WD, and ABS. Only the more expensive units will allow you to do Ford and GM in the same unit. That made me decide it wasn't worth it.

 

For others that may be considering purchasing a scan tool.... keep in mind that Ford went to OBDII in '96. Prior to that you need an EECIV reader(about $50) which is specific only to Ford.

Mike

 

>Any OBD-II scanner will work on both vehicles. As to how
>much information it can access, depends on how much you pay.
>I have an AutoXray Pro-Pak that works reasonably well.
>Definately get the Enhanced upgrade to make it more usefull.
>You can spend anywhere from $39.99 for just a plain OBD-II
>code reader at Harborfreight Tools to several thousand
>dollars for a professional grade version. Actron makes a
>code reader for about $140 at Summit Racing.

Robert !
I've been looking at autoxray also ! anything that you don't really like about it,what did you pay if you don't mind me asking ?

Rich



02 F250 4x4 SC 5.4v8 6spd 3.73ls Trueblue/Silver and Chrome Nerfs

"All Levers"

 

Ford didn't follow the OBD-II standard completely on Explorer's through '98. Apparently they did a much better job starting in '99 but I haven't had the opportunity to scan one. On a '96-'98 a must have is the Enhanced Upgrade. That is the only way to monitor your fuel trims and O2 sensors. Without the enhanced upgrade, the scanner only works in Generic Mode which doesn't access the tests correctly. In Generic mode, the O2 sensors all read 0.000V and the short/long term fuel trims all read -100%. I have heard that this is a problem with all consumer grade scanners but I have never used anyother consumer grade scanner than my AutoXray. With the latest software release most of the bugs have been resolved. One bug that I think still exists is that I believe the O2 sensor labels are switched between Sensor 1, bank 2 and Sensor 2, bank 1. On both my '97 and a '98 that I scanned my scanner shows sensor 2 on bank 1 switching very rapidly (like the pre-cat sensors should do, not the post cat sensors) and our sensor 1 on bank 2 switches about every 8-10 seconds (like a post cat sensor should do, not a pre-cat sensor). One of these days I plan on stoping at AutoXray's factory and have them check it out. Their plant is about a mile from my work so I have been there many times.

The PC-Link software is useful for graphing your results and storing previous scans but it is pretty limited in what it can do. One of the biggest benefits of the software is getting the software updates via the Internet. Without the software, you have to send your scanner to AutoXray to be updated.

Another future benefit to the AutoXray is that it is the only consumer grade scanner that is already equipped for OBD-III once it becomes mandatory. It will require a sofware upgrade and cable, but the electronics are ready. Even Ford's NGS Star Testor can't make that claim. Unfortunately, AutoXray's Engineer's have been spending so much time getting it ready for OBD-III that they have let a lot of other OBD-II issues go unresolved for too long.

I paid $349 for the pro-pack at Checker Auto Parts almost three years ago. I wanted the OBD-I capability as well as the extra cables (1 each for OBD-I GM, Ford, & Chrysler, 1 for Corvette and 1 OBD-II cable). You can get just the OBD-II scanner with the OBD-II cable for about $249 if you don't have any OBD-I cars.

 

Thanks Robert!
:-X12
Rich



02 F250 4x4 SC 5.4v8 6spd 3.73ls Trueblue/Silver and Chrome Nerfs

"All Levers"