Which Scanner ODB2 will be better?

[Col]

Hello guys... I am sick of getting Service Engine Soon Light up.. withouth known what is going on in my engine though. So I am reading and reading about scanners and there is so much information about them. I need advice on which scanner will be usefull without expend to much money on it in order to knowing codes and clear MIL light.

There are some ELM327 based scanners using laptops that we have to download software fron the internet or there are some non pc based... which one is better?.. any experiences?... what are the bad ones?...

BTW my Explorer is a 2004 V8 4.6L

Thanks for your help.

Jorge
AKA: Col

 

[BobWiersema]

This is the USB interface I use. Came with a bunch of free software.


The best software for Ford is the ScanXL with the Ford enhancement package. That one isnt free but its a great software package. This is that link Enhanced OBD-II, PPE Online Store

Here are a couple screen shots from my laptop.

 

[2000StreetRod]

scanner vs code reader

The terms "scanner" and "code reader" are frequently incorrectly used interchangably. A code reader can read, display and clear diagnostic trouble codes and the associated check engine light. A scanner can usually do everything a code reader can plus read and display PCM parameters such as short term fuel trims. Commercial scanners cost a lot more than commercial code readers. The one that BobWiersema has is one of the best I've seen for displaying parameters. For your purposes you can get by with an inexpensive code reader. I keep one in the glove box of my vehicle.

 

[joecrna]

Wow Bob. Was that screen shot from your 98. That is one of the most user friendly displays I"ve ever seen. Does your scanner access transmission or ABS codes. Must be pricey if it does.

 

[jrford]

i have an '04 too, i found Bowser Electronics to be very good software too. Make sure you get the Ford Enhanced codes (makes it worth it), which does ABS, ETAC etc, and any system on the truck. It comes with Software and Scanner.

Although it gives you a great amount of data, anyone really know how to make sense of it. . .lol . .

 

[BobWiersema]

Wow Bob. Was that screen shot from your 98. That is one of the most user friendly displays I"ve ever seen. Does your scanner access transmission or ABS codes. Must be pricey if it does.

The basic ScanXL software is $99.95 plus the Ford enhanced package for $99.95. Software and OBD interface was under $250. That top graphic screen I made with the software to check out my O2 Sensors. Its built into the software they call it DashXL. I made a few different Dash displays for my Ford, not the most user friendly thing in the world, but not the worst.

 

[sarahsdaddy]

I'm a little confused. For pulling performance data am I better off buying a nice scanner like a Equus 3130 or 3160 or going the PC route? I think I remember reading that if I do the electric radiator fan mod there needs to be some sort of programming to make it work, do either of these help? If the PC route can I use a less expensive OBD2 adapter like [or do I need something a little more expensive like the OBDLink? Can I use the ScanXL with the less expensive one or only with OBDLink? Sorry for all the questions. It seems the Equus route is simplest - just plug it in, but certainly more limited as to what can appear on screen.