I recently took my Expedition to the shop for an ignition problem. The mechanic told me that he hated Ford computers because they were so far behind the times compared to other American car companies. He said that he can plug a tester into a Dodge and actually actuate the various devices in the car/truck even down to turning the AC on and off to look for problems. He said that you just plug it in and run several tests that really make troubleshooting a breeze. The mechanic said that Dodge had the best on board diagnostics going these days and that Ford was spending a great deal of money to catch up before 2006's new EPA laws go into affect.

Anyone with more knowlege (I have 0%) have any thoughts on this? Just curious to hear from some experts.

 

Wonder if he drove a Dodge to work!

 

jbabbler; I must agree with Tim Lamkin the gentelman drives a dodge, now
that the dodge motronics are of a superior design to that of the E5 system from FORD not likely; just look at all of the aftermarket ecm tuners that are out there & look at what they choose to advertise; FORD powerstroke 200 hp 200 or so on torque, if you ever watch horsepower tv they took a stock 2003 cobra & before any mods they did an ecm mod & the gain was 47hp that is almost unreal. I would like to see similar results on one of the SEMI HEMI engines that are being marketed so much currently by diamler chrysler. Two
things to remember 1st & foremost the webester's defenition of dodge is to avoid & steer clearaway from( kind of like those old drug commercials after the egg started frying: any questions) second is that with the brainchild from DEUTSCHLAND the dodge boys will be pulling some nice trick's out of the hat.
LIVE LONG AND PROSPER..................TURBO TED

 

Also, part of the reason that the mustang is so popular is that Ford is wide open with their computer codes, which allows aftermarket tuners to get in there and tinker around with things.

 

The other two....of the big three do not

 

That's why nobody really cared to tune the Oldsmobile Aurora, even though it was a v8--only a handfull of people know how to get into GMs programming.

 

being a mechanic, I will agree with what your mechanic told you. Ford computers did suck, at least the eec-IV, when trying to diagnose problems. But it is true that with a handheld scan tool, a person working on a dodge can activate and deactivate different sensors, systems, fuel pumps, and even disable power locks, if they wanted.
As to my experience, GM seems to be the one whol lets the most information available to the public about their computer systems. I can get a plug in for my scantool and reflash any GM OBD2 computer no problem.

 

Looks like a mixed bag here. For the record, the mechanic drives a Hummer H2.