Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => General Fox T-Bird/Cougar Discussion => Topic started by: 87tbird302 on November 11, 2004, 11:23:03 PM

Title: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: 87tbird302 on November 11, 2004, 11:23:03 PM
How good do those Diagnostic testers work? I was thinking of purchasing one if they work well, because it would come along handy in the future. Where could I buy one at for a reasonable price?
Thanks.
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: jkirchman on November 12, 2004, 12:48:48 PM
I got one at Wal Mart for $25.  It has an LED light that blinks and it also has an audible tone.  You count the flashes/beeps to get the error codes.  Then you look up what the code means in the book that comes with the tester.  They work well.  I used it to help track down a problem with my car not starting when the engine was warmed up.  The code scanner told me that the PIP sensor was bad.  I replaced it and the problem was fixed.  There are also more expensive scanners available that have an LCD readout and such, but those are not really necessary.
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: 87tbird302 on November 13, 2004, 01:30:19 AM
yea, im not looking to spend an outrages amount on one, i just want one that will pull out some codes, and i'll looking it up on the book, and fix it. Thanks for the reply.
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: Sly1990 on November 13, 2004, 03:51:54 AM
Hummmmm if 25$ is to much, sell your car.... :giggle:

At CanadianTire.ca, you can buy :

Ford EEC-IV/MCU Decoder (http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=BVL1p58h8du12wZ1pzARTXtEphWC3shagfNSfP5YEq7OJ0hMwcV60!863629610!172915625!7205!7305)
(http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/AutoRepair/CodeReaders/0251006_450_CC_31ee1.jpg)

39.99$CAN
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: MasterBlaster on November 13, 2004, 07:35:59 AM
Or just use a 2-inch piece of wire and the "Check engine" light.
(bottom of http://www3.telus.net/neat/eec4.html  )
I keep a piece in my glve box.
Cost: about $0.01
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: MasterBlaster on November 13, 2004, 07:40:44 AM
Or just use a 2-inch piece of wire and the "Check engine" light.

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=384

I keep a piece in my glove box.
Cost: about $0.01
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: Bird351 on November 13, 2004, 11:46:59 AM
The wire method (I put a couple blade connectors on mine, just for kicks) works pretty well.. only took me two tries to get it right, I think. If I can do it while I'm in this screwy sleep-change thing, I'd think most people could do it.
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: 87tbird302 on November 13, 2004, 11:49:29 AM
Dude i never said $25 was too much? .I was just stating that I don't wanna spend an outrages amount like 400 bucks on one.
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: Sly1990 on November 13, 2004, 12:18:29 PM
:giggle: :giggle:

I was kidding.... :slap:

It was just funny cuz you just replied that you dont want spend lot of money after he said you can get one for 25 bucks....
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: jimfulco on November 13, 2004, 11:51:21 PM
I use a $5 buttstuffog voltmeter from HF & a couple of home-made jumper wires to get codes from my '88.
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: BadCat on November 22, 2004, 06:41:02 AM
I got one of those cheap scanners with the tone and light.  I tried it but I think I hooked it up in the wrong place. Can anyone show me exactly where?
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: Haystack on November 23, 2004, 02:12:26 AM
It should be under the hood on the right side fender.....jusst look for a mess of wires. There are two parts to the wire harness. I think there is only one connector on the small on and 2 or 3 on the other. Shouldnt be too hard to find, They follow the shape of the plug in for the tester.
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: amooset on November 23, 2004, 04:47:40 AM
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=381

Check out that thread, there's a picture for ya.
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: jimfulco on November 25, 2004, 01:10:06 AM
Mine's on the left side near the rear of the engine compartment, hanging out from a bundle of wires. ('88 T-bird)
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: MasterBlaster on November 25, 2004, 05:55:36 AM
Quote
hanging out from a bundle of wires


(http://www3.telus.net/neat/eec_test_plugs.gif)
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: MasterBlaster on November 25, 2004, 06:00:51 AM
Quote
Can anyone show me exactly where?

Right about here:
Title: Re: Diagnostic tester?
Post by: BadCat on November 25, 2004, 10:11:32 PM
Yea thats where I had it and I followed directions and all the tester did was go beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep  the whole time.