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- February 8, 2003
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- City, State
- Sacramento, CA 95827
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1992 XLT
Code Readers and Code Scanners – how are they different? Let’s start by talking about trouble codes generated by automotive computers. The sophistication on automotive computers continues to increase. Ford started using Electronic Engine Control 20 or more years ago. They are on EEC-V now. Explorers prior to 95 (I think that’s the right year) are EEC-IV, and after that are EEC-V. [Edit - when I wrote this that was true, now we are migrating to CAN, there is a thread in this forum all about CAN]. Somewhere along the way the Society of Automotive Engineers tried to standardize the data formats, coming up with On Board Diagnostics I (OBD-I), and in 95 or so OBD-II. While this has been mostly successful, some manufacturers still have added “proprietary” codes, and some do not even use the same communication protocol (Some Asian and Chrysler). What this means for the DIY’er today is there is no guarantee that every code reader/scanner will work on 100% of the cars you may want to use it on. So, I’m going to gear this discussion towards FORD, since this IS an Explorer forum, after all.
The early Ex’s existed when Ford came out with their handheld “Star II” tester, supplanting the earlier "Star" code reader. Both are still around used on E-bay from time to time, for around $75 - 100 usually. The Star II tester could read out Fast and slow codes (more on that later) and DTC’s, including real time data. I’m not certain but I seem to recall they could provide snapshot capability (more later) as well as limited data logging, but I’m not certain. Star was a mere code reader.
During the early years the computer was arranged so you could, by shorting a certain pin on the test connector, read the codes by counting flashes on the Check Engine light (CEL), referred to as flashout codes. Then newer models of Code readers could hook up and actually provide the alphanumeric codes, you just had to refer to a book for their definition. Still newer and more expensive ones stored the codes in memory and would give the code number AND definition. Others had “emulation” capabilities for a Star tester, and finally some even allowed you to use interchangeable modules for different cars. The top end had the ability to read out 4 lines of 64 characters. Along came ODB-II and suddenly the number of parameters went up significantly, and the selection of testers followed suit. Today, in the DIY market, one of the most popular is Auto Xray, which is backwards compatible with OBD-I and provides capability to update the info inside via the internet. Actron manufacturing makes several different models, I have two of theirs, one of which is out of production and which I love. (Scantool III).[ This isn’t a pitch but I have a couple extra I have to sell in the trade/sale section if anyone is interested.] Snap-On and Mac made testers very similar to the Scantool III and they all retailed in the $500-700 range. Prices, and capabilities in the high end continue to spiral UP – the Genesis system from OTC for example is about $3000 – hardly a DIY tool.
A reader gives you trouble codes as set by the on board computer when some measured value goes out of parameters. These can be found for about $100 - $200. A scanner can do that, and also read out live data as your computer sees it – a hugely valuable resource. Some can store data, and even provide data present when a trouble code was set (snapshot as some mfgr’s call that). These, new, start around $250 to $300 and go up quickly. As you might guess I like E-bay and some good deals can be found there, but do your homework first. Actron stopped making the Scantool III and discontinued the ODB-II cartridge, but they can sometimes be found on E-bay as well. They also continue to sell the cartridges for OBD-I Ford, Chrysler and GM. Downside to that scanner is lack of support for newer cars past about 2000 but if you have a pre-2000 Ex they are terrific.
If money is tight, a code reader is not a bad way to go, but when you get a scanner, you have a goldmine of information available (sometimes so much it can be intimidating, if not confusing at first – but I highly recommend them. I also have a "breakout box" (allows you to access all the computer pins with a DVM) but with my scanner almost never have need for it except on older EEC-IV vehicles.
I’ll post some pics of my scanners tonight, and I heartily solicit input here from other scanner users. That will be what makes this thread valuable.
Happy exploring
Chris
The early Ex’s existed when Ford came out with their handheld “Star II” tester, supplanting the earlier "Star" code reader. Both are still around used on E-bay from time to time, for around $75 - 100 usually. The Star II tester could read out Fast and slow codes (more on that later) and DTC’s, including real time data. I’m not certain but I seem to recall they could provide snapshot capability (more later) as well as limited data logging, but I’m not certain. Star was a mere code reader.
During the early years the computer was arranged so you could, by shorting a certain pin on the test connector, read the codes by counting flashes on the Check Engine light (CEL), referred to as flashout codes. Then newer models of Code readers could hook up and actually provide the alphanumeric codes, you just had to refer to a book for their definition. Still newer and more expensive ones stored the codes in memory and would give the code number AND definition. Others had “emulation” capabilities for a Star tester, and finally some even allowed you to use interchangeable modules for different cars. The top end had the ability to read out 4 lines of 64 characters. Along came ODB-II and suddenly the number of parameters went up significantly, and the selection of testers followed suit. Today, in the DIY market, one of the most popular is Auto Xray, which is backwards compatible with OBD-I and provides capability to update the info inside via the internet. Actron manufacturing makes several different models, I have two of theirs, one of which is out of production and which I love. (Scantool III).[ This isn’t a pitch but I have a couple extra I have to sell in the trade/sale section if anyone is interested.] Snap-On and Mac made testers very similar to the Scantool III and they all retailed in the $500-700 range. Prices, and capabilities in the high end continue to spiral UP – the Genesis system from OTC for example is about $3000 – hardly a DIY tool.
A reader gives you trouble codes as set by the on board computer when some measured value goes out of parameters. These can be found for about $100 - $200. A scanner can do that, and also read out live data as your computer sees it – a hugely valuable resource. Some can store data, and even provide data present when a trouble code was set (snapshot as some mfgr’s call that). These, new, start around $250 to $300 and go up quickly. As you might guess I like E-bay and some good deals can be found there, but do your homework first. Actron stopped making the Scantool III and discontinued the ODB-II cartridge, but they can sometimes be found on E-bay as well. They also continue to sell the cartridges for OBD-I Ford, Chrysler and GM. Downside to that scanner is lack of support for newer cars past about 2000 but if you have a pre-2000 Ex they are terrific.
If money is tight, a code reader is not a bad way to go, but when you get a scanner, you have a goldmine of information available (sometimes so much it can be intimidating, if not confusing at first – but I highly recommend them. I also have a "breakout box" (allows you to access all the computer pins with a DVM) but with my scanner almost never have need for it except on older EEC-IV vehicles.
I’ll post some pics of my scanners tonight, and I heartily solicit input here from other scanner users. That will be what makes this thread valuable.
Happy exploring
Chris
