FORscan and ELM327

[Turdle]

Great, thank you.

@Turdle, you gonna go this route too? I was thinking cabled (one less level of setup complexity, as I've never tried connecting a Bluetooth device to a laptop before) but wireless is easier to use.

I am not sure if my win 7 laptop will do the bluetooth -- I was hoping to do the wired unit.

Now I am just confused. lol

 

[Mbrooks420]

You can get a foolproof USB Bluetooth devices dingle for under 7. They have their own connection app, and are super easy to use. Look just like a wireless mouse/keyboard dongle.

I have this one for an older laptop without Bluetooth:
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Ad...pID=51DKCawZ4gL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

 

[Turdle]

Awesome. Once again, add a wire to have a wireless thingy. Good times.

 

[koda2000]

Are they wifi based? There are also wifi adapters too. A printer would likely be wifi.

A wired one could have issues with phones though if you want to use that version. Some phones can take a USB adapter, however.

Yeah, I believe my printer works off the wifi now that you mention it. Probably the same thing for the DishNetwork's.

@Tech By Trade
I wont replace my current laptop until it dies or becomes unusable. It's not that old, just a no-frills entry level machine. It has taken me forever to get it just the way I like it and it does everything I need it to do. Upgrading to Windows/10 was a huge hassle mostly due to the Cortana and the Search pop ups, which took me months to get rid of. I pay my bills, do emails, various forums, on-line banking and shopping. I don't use any social media and I'm not a "gamer".

I have a second laptop exactly like this one, but the dog knocked it off the table during a thunderstorm and the video screen broke at its hinge. Eventually the screen stopped working. In a pinch I can hook it up using my TV as a monitor using an HDMI cable.

 

[Mbrooks420]

When it is time to replace it, you can ‘virtualize’ your current machine, and with a free software run your exact current machine on the new one, while you get the new one set up the way you like it.

 

[Jason94sport]

No Bluetooth? This one looks very good too, and you are future proofed for newer Fords.

https://www.amazon.com/OHP-ELMconfig-compatible-interface-diagnostics/dp/B01F0GVBWY

Thanks for this. I got it & it works well. With the license upgrade I programmed another key. Interesting information that can be gotten..... My friend has a 2000 that is a mess. Going to run it on there for him.

 

[96eb96]

Thanks for this. I got it & it works well. With the license upgrade I programmed another key. Interesting information that can be gotten..... My friend has a 2000 that is a mess. Going to run it on there for him.

It is truly amazing for $20-$30 bucks. A tire rotation cost that! Keys at a dealer is a nice $200 moneymaker.

 

[SCFisherman]

No Bluetooth? This one looks very good too, and you are future proofed for newer Fords.

https://www.amazon.com/OHP-ELMconfig-compatible-interface-diagnostics/dp/B01F0GVBWY

This is the adapter I use. I have a 1998 4.0 xlt and am going to work on the PATS today. I'll let you know how it went.

PS My first Post. Hi everyone.

 

[sehaare]

For what it is worth, here is the one that I used on my 98 sohc xlt 4WD and windows 10 to troubleshoot and reset my airbag circuit. It is $10 cheaper and has one day shipping (if you need something else to bring the total up to $35). I haven't tried it for anything else, since I don't want to risk fooling around with something that ain't broke.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N18TOFB/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[SCFisherman]

For what it is worth, here is the one that I used on my 98 sohc xlt 4WD and windows 10 to troubleshoot and reset my airbag circuit. It is $10 cheaper and has one day shipping (if you need something else to bring the total up to $35). I haven't tried it for anything else, since I don't want to risk fooling around with something that ain't broke.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N18TOFB/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I guess I should read before I buy. Thanks sehaare. Forscan got me with "Sorry you need an Extended License to run this function.". Everything worked as advertised thought. Forscan is a pretty well done piece of software IMHO. I would like a GM and Chrysler copy of this.

The OBD2 interface with cable and switch worked with out a hitch. Just be sure you are online so windows can auto download the driver when you plug in the interface for the first time. Windows 10 does it automatically. You don't need to have the auto plugged in. Just be online.You possibly will not even notice the driver was downloaded and installed. Then plug in the car and away you go. Not to coin a phrase "Happy Auto Computing."

 

[J_C]

You can also get a USB bluetooth adapter on ebay for around $1-$2. This would allow you to use the bluetooth OBDII adapters with your phone too, on the go when you don't have a laptop around.

 

[sehaare]

You can also get a USB bluetooth adapter on ebay for around $1-$2. This would allow you to use the bluetooth OBDII adapters with your phone too, on the go when you don't have a laptop around.

At my age and with my eyesight it is a good thing to have that huge laptop screen around.

 

[fastpakr]

This is the one I've used with Forscan and Windows 10:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MUALTSX