Computer Software
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124
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From: N. Gwinnett
Depends on the year. I think there are several software apps that will do this.
I have an AutoTap. It consists of an adapter cable and software. It's for OBDII only. It was about $300. That doesn't include the laptop.
To give you a little background, I had a '93 Crown Vic. Bought an Actron scanner (a dedicated scanner). Then I got a '97 Crown Vic. The '93 ran EEC-IV (and OBDI?) but the 97 was EEC-V and OBDII. The Actron box couldn't be upgraded, so I decided to try software. I've had it for 3 or so years and t has worked well. The software has been updated several times. A word to the wise: the slower your laptop, the slower your parameters will load. It takes my ancient P-133/48 Mb of RAM 5+ minutes. My P-III-450 loaded them MUCH faster. They also make a Palm version, but I haven't tried it.
I bought a '94 F250 a couple of months ago, and I'm SO glad I kept the Actron scanner. I was used to the functionality of the AutoTap, so I had to learn about the differences between the OBDII and earlier systems.
There are some fundamental differences. Apparently, the earlier systems, like EEC-IV on my truck, don't produce a real-time datastream like the OBD-II systems do. I think you can get aftermarket gadgets that do this, but they are pricey. There's a lot of info on OBDII on the web.
For clarification, EEC-X is what Ford calls their powertrain management computer system. OBDII ("On Board Diagnostics II") is a standard, developed by industry groups under pressure from the Feds. It is primarily concerned with monitoring emissions performance. OBDII set minimum paremeters and standardized the communications protocols. The automakers still have proprietary stuff, over and above the minimal OBDII provisions.
The best book I have read on the subject is Charles O. Probst's "How to Understand, Service and Modify Ford Fuel Injection & Electronic Engine Control". It covers 1988-1993 cars & light trucks, but I haven't seen a better treatment of why your truck has all those sensors, and how they work. The book cost me $30, but it saved me more than $950 the first year I had it.
Hope this helps-
I have an AutoTap. It consists of an adapter cable and software. It's for OBDII only. It was about $300. That doesn't include the laptop.
To give you a little background, I had a '93 Crown Vic. Bought an Actron scanner (a dedicated scanner). Then I got a '97 Crown Vic. The '93 ran EEC-IV (and OBDI?) but the 97 was EEC-V and OBDII. The Actron box couldn't be upgraded, so I decided to try software. I've had it for 3 or so years and t has worked well. The software has been updated several times. A word to the wise: the slower your laptop, the slower your parameters will load. It takes my ancient P-133/48 Mb of RAM 5+ minutes. My P-III-450 loaded them MUCH faster. They also make a Palm version, but I haven't tried it.
I bought a '94 F250 a couple of months ago, and I'm SO glad I kept the Actron scanner. I was used to the functionality of the AutoTap, so I had to learn about the differences between the OBDII and earlier systems.
There are some fundamental differences. Apparently, the earlier systems, like EEC-IV on my truck, don't produce a real-time datastream like the OBD-II systems do. I think you can get aftermarket gadgets that do this, but they are pricey. There's a lot of info on OBDII on the web.
For clarification, EEC-X is what Ford calls their powertrain management computer system. OBDII ("On Board Diagnostics II") is a standard, developed by industry groups under pressure from the Feds. It is primarily concerned with monitoring emissions performance. OBDII set minimum paremeters and standardized the communications protocols. The automakers still have proprietary stuff, over and above the minimal OBDII provisions.
The best book I have read on the subject is Charles O. Probst's "How to Understand, Service and Modify Ford Fuel Injection & Electronic Engine Control". It covers 1988-1993 cars & light trucks, but I haven't seen a better treatment of why your truck has all those sensors, and how they work. The book cost me $30, but it saved me more than $950 the first year I had it.
Hope this helps-
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 986
Likes: 0
From: Gulf Shores, AL
There is a box out there called SnEEC-IV that plugs into your laptop and vehicle computer for about 500 bucks. It is pretty cool. Here is the address to the details.
http://www.racesystems.com/sneeciv/sneec.htm
http://www.racesystems.com/sneeciv/sneec.htm
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