help w/ self diagnosis

[Tim K]

I am trying to find the cause of the "check engine" light that keeps popping up (I am betting O2 sensors). I found the instructions on how to pull the codes using a jumper wire and the check engine light. However, I cannot....for the life of me....find the "box" where the tester would be connected. Can someone tell me where this is located on my 97 XLT (OHV)???????

 

[Robert]

You can not pull the codes with a jumper wire on your '97. That went away when the EPA mandated OBD-II diagnostics on all vehicles sold in the US since 1996. The only way to get the code is with a code reader. Some people have had luck getting AutoZone to pull the codes for them at no charge figuring they would buy the needed repair items from them. Alternatively, you can buy a scanner for your tool kit so you always have it at your disposal. They run from about $100 for a cable that requires a laptop computer, to a few thousand dollars for a commercial quality, professional grade scanner. Actron sells a hand-held unit that will pull the codes only for about $140 through Summit Racing. I have an AutoXray that I paid about $440 at Checker Auto Parts. It works with all OBD-II cars, as well as most older manufactureres back to 1980-81. It includes all the necessary calbes and offers real-time monitoring of about 68 different sensors on my '97 with the recently released Enhanced OBD-II upgrade. You can get just an AutoXray that does OBD-II only for about $150 less than the pro-pak. The enhanced OBD-II upgrade runs $50 per US manufacturer or $99 for all three. Definately worth the added cost since I can now monitor my O2 sensor voltage output and watch them switch. I think I might have an O2 sensor getting ready to go since one of them is very slow to react (compared to the other three) and the voltage on it doesn't cover the full range of the other three. Go to www.autoxray.com and look at the OBD-II comparison test that was performed by an independant agency. Your third choice would be to go to a repair facility and pay them to pull the codes for you. Ford charges about $75 to do this. Lastly, your connector is under the pop-out cover at the edge of your dashboard, under your steering wheel.