Diagnostic Tools
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,628
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From: Northeast Nebraska
Diagnostic Tools
What are the best value tools for reading error codes? Are there any adaptors for laptops and software to use or what do you guys use? I know a lot about repairing my older trucks but my 99 F-150 is getting older and I would like to be able to take care of it like I do my older trucks.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 540
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From: Northern MD
I've got a code reader that I bought 12 years ago, that just beeps and lights an LED to show the codes. It's not sophisticated, but it does work. I took my car up to AutoZone and they scanned it using their scanner, and printed out the results. They were the exact same results that I got with my cheapie scanner, except for the one line description that their scanner gave. I was looking at the Auto X-Ray 600 or something like that. It is very nice, but a little too pricey for me now. Maybe in a couple of months......
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 540
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From: Northern MD
The AutoZone scanner actually give you a one sentence description of the problem. With my cheapie scanner, I have to look up the numerical error code in a manual. The cheapie does come with a 6 page booklet that list the error code and gives a brief description of the error. My manual is just more thorough, as it gives testing procedures for each code.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
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From: Niceville, FL.
Creader (for OBD II). Got mine on eBay for about $30 + shipping. Harbor Freight Tools (check online) had them on sale recently for $39 (free shipping if order total is over $50). Comes with a booklet explaining how to use and what the codes mean. It won't tell you exactly which part is bad (I don't think any of them do) but, knowing the codes, having a manual for your vehicle, plus using the forums for help with problems should get you going.
Piffery1
Piffery1
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
I have the www.autoxray.com EZ-2000 scanner. It is a far cry from what I was used to using while working at dealerships, but, for <$200 (bought at northerntools.com) it suffices. It gives a brief description of most faults. Having live data capture of sensors would be nice, but, usually not needed.
I was getting a 1999 Dodge Cummings diesel running that died. It still was not right and pulled up a fault code# that I could not find on-line at any OBD-II site or in the repair manuals. I stumbled across it using Goggle on a Dodge site. Turned out to be what I thought, the injector pump, so it was towed to a Dodge dealer since there are a few tools I needed for the job that I did not have. $3500 later ($2200 for a rebuilt injector pump) it was on the road again.
So, having a code scanner and manual can be nice, having a forum to seek help is even better, even if it is a Dodge or Jeep.
I was getting a 1999 Dodge Cummings diesel running that died. It still was not right and pulled up a fault code# that I could not find on-line at any OBD-II site or in the repair manuals. I stumbled across it using Goggle on a Dodge site. Turned out to be what I thought, the injector pump, so it was towed to a Dodge dealer since there are a few tools I needed for the job that I did not have. $3500 later ($2200 for a rebuilt injector pump) it was on the road again.
So, having a code scanner and manual can be nice, having a forum to seek help is even better, even if it is a Dodge or Jeep.
Last edited by rebocardo; Dec 11, 2004 at 03:51 PM.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 752
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From: Marple Township, PA
Yo, any cheapo readers out there that work with the new CANbus data link?? My cheapo Actron won't work in my '04 ("link error" message).
I thought all ODBII readers were built to one standard, and come to find my friends at Ford "upgraded" to CANbus.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
I thought all ODBII readers were built to one standard, and come to find my friends at Ford "upgraded" to CANbus.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 153
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Originally Posted by rebocardo
Turned out to be what I thought, the injector pump, so it was towed to a Dodge dealer since there are a few tools I needed for the job that I did not have. $3500 later ($2200 for a rebuilt injector pump) it was on the road again.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 9
From: midwest
from what i researched the auto xray 6000 was the best bang for the buck. the reason i was going to buy it was because the newer superduties(04+) use CAN instead of OBDII so even some of the expensive scanners could not do what the 6000 could. also the 6000 as well as others can check all older models if you buy optional adapters or you could buy the whole bundle
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: nj
obd2
obd2 software for a laptop the the software and cable is under $100.00
the link is http://www.obddiagnostics.com/index.html
the link is http://www.obddiagnostics.com/index.html
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, CA
There are some nice units that will interface with your laptop computer that are not outrageous. The difference between a code reader and a scanner is the "live" data from the sensors in your monitored systems. As Eric stated, you will still need a shop manual to determine what the acceptable readings should be however this sure cuts down on diagnostic time. I believe it is Auto XRay that makes the software and sells the cables that interface between your truck and the computer.
I have found shop manuals for my trucks in CDRom format on E-Bay for under $10.
At home I use an Actron C9145 which has proved to be satisfactory.
Hope this is helpful.
Russ
I have found shop manuals for my trucks in CDRom format on E-Bay for under $10.
At home I use an Actron C9145 which has proved to be satisfactory.
Hope this is helpful.
Russ