Code reader
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
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From: Northern Maine
Code reader
I have a 2005 Escape XLT (3.0 AWD). Would someone please recommend a good, reasonably priced code reader that might also work on my older Ranger pick up (98 3.0) Thank you.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,534
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From: Warren, MI
Ford use to list memory locations for their PIDs in their shop manuals but stop doing that starting in '07.
A code reader will show standard DTC's that lite the CEL/SEL but not the "wrench icon". Maybe some real high ended models may show them.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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well... your ranger won't present a problem for most scanners / readers as it is "plain OBDII" which most OBDII diagnostic tools work with ... of course, as mentioned some PID's maybe ford specific PIDs may not be displayed. HOWEVER, your ford escape presents a "problem" as it is "CAN"ned which is a newer form of the OBDII protocol and you need to ensure that your reader can read CAN OBDII.... IF you get / have one, it will then read both vehicles.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
Likes: 2
From: Northern Maine
Thanks for the replies. So far, I havent needed one (209,500 miles on the Ranger and 92,000 on the Escape). I'm afraid that the days of the back yard mechanic doing their own trouble shooting are over.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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don't expect a "reader" to be the "end all be all".... it will just give you an "idea" of the issue. You will need to do some trouble shooting and further investigation in and around the area (engine). It will not say "code xxx... replace this yyyy thing" as most people expect and do, "blindly" spending money on parts and time without some understanding of what the reader is conveying.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Union Grove, Wisconsin
That's why these forums are so valuable. Once you get a code, do a search or ask the question and 99% of the time, someone has been down this road before. Or at least can point you in the right direction instead of just throwing money at it.
So what is this wrench icon? Is it on certain years? Does it replace the old standard check engine light?
So what is this wrench icon? Is it on certain years? Does it replace the old standard check engine light?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,534
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From: Warren, MI
That's why these forums are so valuable. Once you get a code, do a search or ask the question and 99% of the time, someone has been down this road before. Or at least can point you in the right direction instead of just throwing money at it.
So what is this wrench icon? Is it on certain years? Does it replace the old standard check engine light?
So what is this wrench icon? Is it on certain years? Does it replace the old standard check engine light?
A ScanGuage-II will read standard codes too but doesn't show the "wrench" codes either. It does have a program function and if you know how(not me) and have the info, it can read most anything. It's complicated as you ask for data and have to process the data returned. Certain info needed to program a SG-II was included in Ford's WorkShop Manuals up through '06 and stopped! Many things that worked back then don't work past '06.
I was told what to program into a SG-II to read the 4WD module and although I replaced the fuse and the "wrench" icon was OFF there was still a DTC in the system. I was again told how to program a clear into the SG-II.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Union Grove, Wisconsin
I'll have to read thru the manual again as I don't remember anything about the wrench icon. Probably doesn't exist on a 06. If that's true, then I only have to worry about the CEL which hopefully I won't see that for many, many miles. After reading these forums, I don't see alot of issues on the 06's. Most of the posts seem to deal with the newer models. I probably just jinxed myself
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Warren, MI
I'll have to read thru the manual again as I don't remember anything about the wrench icon. Probably doesn't exist on a 06. If that's true, then I only have to worry about the CEL which hopefully I won't see that for many, many miles. After reading these forums, I don't see alot of issues on the 06's. Most of the posts seem to deal with the newer models. I probably just jinxed myself
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