Greetings All,

I'm a new Ford owner - formerly Dodge - and I'm looking for help as to which ODB II code reader to purchase. I'm looking for something in the $55-$150 range, as I don't plan on doing any tweaking - just reading the codes and clearing the check engine light. Most I find don't indicate whether they can be used for diesel and I've read there is a difference, and they are non-refundable, so I want to be certain.

The truck is an 06 F250 Turbo Diesel Superduty 4x4, only 18k miles. Not sure those last two really matter, but just trying to provide all the info.

Any information would be greatly appreciated, and my apologies if this has already been posted and I missed it....I'm at the end of my search patience

Thanks...Scott

 

I would reccommend this. ScanGaugeII : Linear Logic - Home of the ScanGauge . Pretty generic code reading capabilities, but can monitor individual sensors and display the value. It does require some set up but not a big deal once you get started. Available at AutoZone, the website above, or can be found on e-bay.
If you decide you prefer a mechanics scanner, look for CAN compliant and freeze frame data in the specifications as a minimum, and live data is an excellent feature if you find it in your price range.

 

Regarding CAN compliant, will that help with manufacturer codes? Figure I may as well get something to resolve those as well.

 

if you have an android phone, torque app, and an ELM 327 dongle off the net. app is $5, and dongle is less than 30. will read,clear codes, and display any parameter that the ECM monitors.

 

If you can get the older Snap-on MT2500 with the current programming in the
plugins. With this you will also need 2 personality keys K2A and K17 with the can1b buss adaptor. Seems like a lot but it is very useful.
Sean

 

CAN compliant (as I understand it) allows the device to address more of the modules on the vehicle. (I think our trucks have 9) Normally, when you see a scanner with that feature it will also read the manufacturer specific codes. It may or may not display the definition on the screen though. I think the live data is also very important for troubleshooting. Without that feature the device only shows what has failed. You may know there is an issue but not be able to peek at the individual sensors. All you can get from the scanner is "no faults found". That's why I like the SGII. You can Velcro it on the dash and get to know your temps and pressures and sometimes see a problem in the early stages before somthing fails completely.

 

I like the AutoEnginuity with Ford bundle the best. Unfortunately, it is more then what you listed as your budget, however, in code read alone (it can read all 9 modules with the Ford package) based on what my dealership charges, it's paid for many times already.

I consider it an cheap investment considering what it costs to fix our trucks.

 

Good, helpful info...thanks everyone!

 

Hello everyone I am not new but this is my first post. I have been a lurker for awhile and I want to thank everyone on the forums for helping me keep my 7.3 alive and now my 6.0. Now on to the topic. I bought a sgII and to be honest it has let me down a little. It doesnt read codes off my truck its an 04 and I have codes for #6 & #8 glow plugs that it never reads. I also used it to check my ficm voltage and sgII showed 47v to 48v but when i used my volt meter on the screw it was dropping to 45v and bouncing around. I tried sgII on a friends 99 7.3 and it will say 6 codes but doesnt show the numbers and almost kills the truck when he tries the clear button. So I feel like i cant trust the sgII. I wish I saved some more for AE.

 

SGII's limitations as a code reader are pretty well known. If it isn't a generic "pxxxxx" it won't show it. It will generally have a correct count though. On the FICM issue I would suspect meter leads or meter issue. SGII doesn't read ficm voltage, it asks the PCM what the value is and displays the answer it gets. When you moved it between trucks, did you change the set-up (year, engine etc) to the 7.3? I've never done that but it could make a difference. The big benefit of the SGII is in it's ability to monitor any 4 sensors at a glance. For example hear a noise sometimes? Maybe the fan spooling up. Flip over to the fan xGauge and see it the noise happens when the fan spools up. Truck hard to start when hot? Whats cranking ICP and IPR readings? Towing heavy in hot weather? Maybe the trucks getting too hot? What are coolant-oil-intake air- and trans temps? (and are they hotter than last time I was in this situation) There are many situations that little gauge can save your butt out on the road while the twice the price software and computer is back at the house. Some of the functions overlap but the biggest difference is that the SG is part of the truck and the AE is a tool for the workbench.

 

Not really.

You can take AE on the road. It's "light" enough of a program that you can use a netbook to run it. So you do have portability options with it.

However, I would use the DashDAQ over the SGII. It's probably the most portable competition for AE. However, to get it up to par with the AE (Ford Bundle, device itself) it's going to set you back more the AE, even if you have to buy a netbook dedicated for AE.

 

Everything rusty said about sg applies to the torque app. Except its on your phone which you already always carry and can be had for under fifty bucks. On my phone I can run six gauges at a time and up nine pages of different gauges

 

ScanGauge is a great gauge for the 6.0L but it's not much of a code reader. There isn't anything better than AutoEnginuity, and I'd recommend getting over your price limit and don't accept anything less.

 

I'm not interested in waiting for windows to load and my peripherals to sync before cranking my truck I get that AE is a more functional tool and IS worth the money. I currently have an ELM device I use for general troubleshooting on vehicles for family and friends and it works pretty good. I can also see where a handheld code scanner would be nice to have for a quick check of codes. Use what you like I think.

 

You don't have to wait until you crank the truck to get everything to sync up, unless that is a characteristic of a new update that I don't have.

Also, my netbook runs Linux, not Windows (not even dual boot). Just have to know how to code Linux to make it work. That's the booger. I never liked XP and as good as Win 7 is, it's still not a light OS (lighter then Vista though).

DashDAQ though would be far better then the SGII, except the cost. Which also runs off a Linux based platform.