Car is an 88 thunderbird, with a transplanted 87 v8 from another thunderbird.
I've been contemplating getting a diagnostic scanner for the car. I know about the way to do it without a scanner, and flashing the check engine lights and counting the times it blinks and what not, but I tried it on the TC I had and it only came up with one, while a code scanner came up with three.
Just thought I would check to see what you guys have. Our cars are OBD I correct? Would OBD II fit? How much do they run? I know the cheap ones at autozone aren't very good, they didn't pick up the problems on my TC. Just looking for suggestions here...
I searched a little bit, but didn't come up with a whole bunch, maybe I'm not searching right... I dunno.
Personally, I purchased a used Snap On Scanner "red brick" on Ebay for $300. But then again I was once a certified professional mechanic and thus such things appeal to me. I don't know much about the small units available at the parts stores these days.
Merry Christmas!
Bill
I use a jumper wire and a 12v buzzer in place of where you would normally be told to insert a test light.
using the CEL is ok to like your doing. You are OBDI, the II is a different connector.
your tests might have involved failing to do a step or the motor was not up to temp throwing a code.
I never purchased an OBDI tester , cant offer anything pos or neg on them other than i priced them at autozone and thought they were kind high for just the obdI option. some of them come with several ends, your choice on which one though.
Meh, I've made due with a test light or sweep VOM for years.
http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3145-Ford-Digital-Reader/dp/B000EW0KHW
You can also check places like Harbor Freight, Jeg's Summit, etc...
When something like this is available for cheap, chances I'll use a jumper wire and a test light are zero & none...
I also like the fact that, with the troubleshooter cartridge, the Scanner will walk me through finding the faults. If you have several cars, this might be worth it, but otherwise I am not so sure. It might be a good option for a few guys to get together on however.
Happy New Year!
Bill
what snap on scanner do you have specifically? ive been cribbing info from one of the troubleshooter books for them for a while now. it only goes from 83 to 91 or so for domestics.