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Diagnostic programs #: 2431

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Posted: Wed Aug 25th, 2021 10:25 am

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squirrelhunter
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I'm not sure if this is the right section but I read on here in this site some time ago about what some of you guys' used to diagnose the onboard computers on your Rangers. Our 1999 Ranger's check engine light came on and the code reader I use for the '94 won't work on the '99. A few years ago I bought a diagnostic tool they used in service stations that used all sorts of different connectors and different diagnostic cards for different areas of the vehicles but it's an obsolete tool and you can't find the cards anymore and I only have 1 or 2. The tool and program I'm asking about is one that was mentioned that has a way of connecting your PC/laptop to your vehicle's onboard computer and programs for diagnosing the onboard computer system. I don't remember if the connection to the PC was through a cable or Bluetooth or what though. Any help would be appreciated and I hope you understand what I'm asking about.

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Posted: Wed Aug 25th, 2021 01:15 pm

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I have heard a lot about FORScan and how good it is, how deep into the system it lets you go. If I remember correctly it is Ford specific. I never picked it up myself. I have used an app called Torque that works on any brand. Both systems need something else to actually connect to the vehicle. I have used an EP27 module that plugs into the OBD port and connect via Bluetooth. Torque is an app for the phone, not sure if it is available for iphones, and FORScan is a program for you laptop.

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Posted: Wed Aug 25th, 2021 02:12 pm

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squirrelhunter
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I think it's FORScan I'm thinking of,I'll check it out. Thanks. I'll look at the other too but I was wanting it for my laptop not my Android phone.

Last edited on Wed Aug 25th, 2021 02:13 pm by squirrelhunter

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Posted: Wed Aug 25th, 2021 02:17 pm

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I have heard very good things about it. I just need something for multiple brands. Plus I don't have a laptop because I hate them! I'm a full PC guy

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Posted: Wed Aug 25th, 2021 07:41 pm

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squirrelhunter
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I've never owned a PC,just laptops. I'm a Ford guy and that's all we've had for the last 15 years or so. I have owned a few GMs in the past and 1 Plymouth (which I'll never buy a Mopar again) but mostly Fords. I'll never buy a Foreign vehicle either even though I've heard good things about Toyotas. If I ever do buy a GM again I'll worry about a tester then.

Last edited on Wed Aug 25th, 2021 07:42 pm by squirrelhunter

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Posted: Wed Aug 25th, 2021 08:45 pm

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I have both ForScan and Torque in the paid versions. Foe normally aspirated I like ForScan. For turbo charged engines I like Torque a bit better. I run both off of my Android with a blutooth ODBII reader.

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Posted: Wed Aug 25th, 2021 10:05 pm

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I was looking at Torque on my Android and it listed several ones,I wasn't sure which one to use. I've got ForScan downloaded onto my laptop but I don't have the $50 for the OBDLink connector yet. I was thinking of getting this 1 because I don't know if Bluetooth would work out in the garage. I've never used Bluetooth before and didn't know if you needed Internet for it to work or if my Wifi would reach that far. I'm all new to this as you can tell. This cable is suppose to allow the data to exchange quicker than Bluetooth I think but I also wasn't sure if it'd be as safe for the onboard computer. I haven't decided yet which I'll get for sure,depending on if I can even find a reliable Bluetooth adapter for Windows.
https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-ex/ref/forum-forscan/

Last edited on Wed Aug 25th, 2021 10:27 pm by squirrelhunter

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Posted: Wed Aug 25th, 2021 10:20 pm

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That cable should work great for what you are after. As an FYI, Bluetooth will work great, as long as the laptop and the reader are close. Same room like the garage would be fine. But direct connection should be faster. Not that you will really need that.

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Posted: Wed Aug 25th, 2021 10:34 pm

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According to what I was reading on their site most of the Bluetooth adapters are for Android/iOS or they don't recommend them because they freeze up some. The 1 I thought might work I couldn't find. They also said most of the ELM327 adapters were cheap clones. I guess I'll stick with this 1 as soon as I get the money. I hate gambling on cheap equipment because like the old saying goes "you get what you pay for". This 1 should work

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Posted: Thu Aug 26th, 2021 06:51 am

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You certainly do run into plenty of the cheap chinese crap when it comes to the ELM327's. The one I ended up with has been chugging along for quite a while now, probably just good luck. It never froze up, but it IS like my second one.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en_US&gl=US This is the Torque app I use. It was a one-time cost of like $5.99. worked for me because I have ended up scanning cars for family members and co-workers!

Keep us posted on how it works out for you!

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Posted: Sun Aug 29th, 2021 03:27 pm

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squirrelhunter
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I decided I'd probably be safer using a Bluetooth adapter because I've heard warnings that plugging things like computers directing into the vehicles computer system could damage sensors and the main computer from impulses so I think I'll get this 1 instead.
https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-lx/

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Posted: Sat Sep 11th, 2021 02:33 pm

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squirrelhunter
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The OBD LX adapter works good. A few days after I started this thread the check engine light went out and hasn't come back on. I guess it was just letting me know it hadn't been serviced in awhile,they do that sometimes.

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