[cooldad]

Ok guys,
before we are done I am going to need tons of help on my truck. But first of I wanted to see if I could get some codes or info from my truck. My wife and daughters bought me a hand held scanner for my birthday. Its the orange one that advanced auto sells, they were told it would read diesels, but it always says "no codes" when hooked up to my truck. Funny cause the ses will be on and the truck is missing bad but no codes. Will this scanner not tell me anything on my psd. My truck is a 1999.5 f350 4x4 crew cab, with a 2000 engine in it. Engine has about 60,000 miles on it. I think I have several issues thats why I wanted some codes before quizzing you guys.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Kanman]

Unfortunately (to my knowledge) there is not one single off the shelf scanner that will work on our trucks. Take it back and get a version of AutoEnginuity. Personally I do not care for AE, but its the only game in town unless you can afford several grand for a Snap On scanner.

 

[SmokeyWren]

Ford techs use the Hickok New Generation Star (NGS) with the Rotunda name on it. Hickok sells a civilian version of the NGS to mechanics that are not Ford techs. They call it the NGS Mach II. But not cheap.
Hickok Product Catalog

Hickok also sells software that will work on your laptop, so you can use the laptop as a scanner/diag tool. They call it NGS PC. It's similar to the AutoEnginuity software, except more expensive and "better". :wink2:

The NGS scanner comes with software for various brands and models. Most are sold to mechanics, so they include software for every brand and model that might need fixin'. Those sold to Ford techs will usually have every Ford produced for the last bunch of years. But if you buy a new one, you can buy only the software you need, so maybe just for the 7.3L PowerStroke diesel-powered trucks. That should get the price down to less than $2,000 for a new one. The NGS is also available used, but pay attention to which software is included if you buy a used one.

Most less-expensive scanners will only read OBD-II codes. Our diesel engines have a whole bunch of codes in addition to OBD-II codes, so the cheap scanners are almost useless.

There are some tuner/programmers that will now read (and clear) some codes on our trucks. The new Evolution II is one of them. Even my old Evolution I will read the codes set by the main engine computer (PCM), but not by the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module or the injector driver module (IDM) or other "modules" (computers) that control various aspects of truck operation. But my Evo will not change the tire revs/mile parameter in the ABS module like the NGS will do, so I can't calibrate my speedo with just a programmer/tuner.

I've heard of the Snap-On Tools scanner, but I suspect it's an NGS with the SnapOn name on it. Snap-On has two levels of diag tools. One is less than $2,000 with software, and the other is over $7,000. They also sell software to allow you to use your laptop as a scanner/diag tool. Here's the "cheap" scanner:
Snap-On Scanner, ETHOS, Deluxe Kit, 8.4 Bundle

 

[cooldad]

Thanks for raining on my parade, I guess Ill just have to find a different way to get some codes. I have a friend that has a shop and has all the good snap-on stuff. I just wanted to do it myself. I have the laptop but not 1500 to 2000 to get software.

 

[RC_02F350]

AE won't set you back nearly as much as the NGS or Snap-On. ITP Diesel has it for under $350. It will connect through your laptop. If you go that route, make sure you get the "Ford Bundle" in order to read our PowerStrokes.

 

[socalgn]

Yup! Can't agree more!

 

[mooch91]

Anyone have any info on the Snap-On scanners? There's a ton of MT2500s available locally on craigslist, but I haven't been able to find out enough information on the differences between keys, primary cartridges, and troubleshooting cartridges, and how to keep the scanner current. Also looking for approximate costs to keep it current in the future if I invest in the scanner now.
Thanks!

 

[greasemonkeyf350]

Anyone have any info on the Snap-On scanners? There's a ton of MT2500s available locally on craigslist, but I haven't been able to find out enough information on the differences between keys, primary cartridges, and troubleshooting cartridges, and how to keep the scanner current. Also looking for approximate costs to keep it current in the future if I invest in the scanner now.
Thanks!

The reason you see so many mt2500's for sale is people are up grading to the solus pro or higher.The 2500 stores everything on the cartridges so it is getting to the point that they can't fit all of the info on them anymore.My dealer said that there will be probably only 3 or 4 more up dates for it.It is a good machine that is why I kept mine for a backup.It will tell you the codes and the troble shooter program will tell you what the common reasons for that particular code is and how to test it.The newer machines from snapon have a hard drive and are windows based like a computer.They are much more expensive than the mt2500 but the up dates are half the price.If you are looking to do just you own vehicle and are not worried about anything newer than the next couple of years ,you can probably pick up a used mt for around 400.

 

[xfordtdm]

Get the Auto Enginuity and be done with it. Updates are free for the first year of ownership and 50 bucks for every year after that. The guys at AE are very helpful also.

 

[mooch91]

Get the Auto Enginuity and be done with it. Updates are free for the first year of ownership and 50 bucks for every year after that. The guys at AE are very helpful also.

I'll need a laptop for the AE stuff, so I have to factor that in to the cost. I'll take a look at what they have to offer.

Thanks.

 

[mooch91]

The reason you see so many mt2500's for sale is people are up grading to the solus pro or higher.The 2500 stores everything on the cartridges so it is getting to the point that they can't fit all of the info on them anymore.My dealer said that there will be probably only 3 or 4 more up dates for it.It is a good machine that is why I kept mine for a backup.It will tell you the codes and the troble shooter program will tell you what the common reasons for that particular code is and how to test it.The newer machines from snapon have a hard drive and are windows based like a computer.They are much more expensive than the mt2500 but the up dates are half the price.If you are looking to do just you own vehicle and are not worried about anything newer than the next couple of years ,you can probably pick up a used mt for around 400.

I've found one current through 2006 available locally that I can pick up for around $250. Based on what I've seen on e-bay and craigslist, this seems like a fairly good deal. Especially when you consider that a cheap generic reader from Pep Boys or Auto Zone will set you back $100. Granted it won't be upgradeable after 2009, but it will function at least as well as a generic unit, if not better in that it can read engine info for older cars.

Does $250 sound like a good asking price?

Anything else I should see that it has? I suppose that a fair number of personality keys would be required (if it's only got a couple, it's probably not worth it). And the black programmable cartridges too. Can anyone tell me if there is a requirement for a particular number of cables or types of cartridges (are ABS and trans included in a single black cartridge, or are these separate)? Just want to make sure it's complete when I go to pick it up.

Thanks.

 

[greasemonkeyf350]

I've found one current through 2006 available locally that I can pick up for around $250. Based on what I've seen on e-bay and craigslist, this seems like a fairly good deal. Especially when you consider that a cheap generic reader from Pep Boys or Auto Zone will set you back $100. Granted it won't be upgradeable after 2009, but it will function at least as well as a generic unit, if not better in that it can read engine info for older cars.

Does $250 sound like a good asking price?

Anything else I should see that it has? I suppose that a fair number of personality keys would be required (if it's only got a couple, it's probably not worth it). And the black programmable cartridges too. Can anyone tell me if there is a requirement for a particular number of cables or types of cartridges (are ABS and trans included in a single black cartridge, or are these separate)? Just want to make sure it's complete when I go to pick it up.

Thanks.

The standard black cartridge does american and asian.You will need the cable and the standard obdII plug with around 10 or 12 keys to do all that the cartridge will support.There are also other plugs that go to pre obdII cars and a couple of cds that contain alot of info like test perimiters and factory bulitins.
It is a good machine.I have used mine for years.Ihad a chance to buy a solus pro that was repo'ed after only two months at a price that was equal to a little over two updates so I went for it.
Oh and yes that cartridge will do abs and trans.

 

[mooch91]

Picked this up today...

My truck is an 07 and I VIN fudged it to an 06 since the unit was only updated through 06.

It seems to be calling for a CAN adapter in addition to the OBD-II plug. I've got the right key (K17), but it brings up an error when it tries to read, presumably because of the CAN-1 adapter I don't have.

It worked great on my OBD-II Toyota but isn't reading the 6.0 just yet.

Can anyone help with a CAN adapter?

Thanks.