Questions and Answers

Choosing A Scan Tool Q. Vincent, I am the guy who recently sent you write up on the 1991 Ford Explorer experiencing the fluctuating idle problem. Thanks for the feedback. I will do as you suggest and let you know what I find out. In your response you suggested getting a scanner and looking at the I/Os of the ECM.

I have this 1991 Ford Explorer, a 1999 Ford F-150 4.2 liter V-6, a 1999 Chrysler Concord 3.2 liter V-6 and a 2001 Chrysler Town & Country 3.8 liter V-6, and plan to keep them for a long time to come. As you have detected I do all of my own work if I possibly can. What type of scanner would you recommend? I am willing to spend up to $1,000.00 to get a good tool that is fairly easy to use.

I am willing to spend this only due to wasting almost $500.00 last year on diagnostics only to get ripped off and/or lied to about the problems at hand. I have a 2.6G, P4, 1G RAM, 60G HD laptop. Does anyone sell a program that would enable a laptop to function as an OBD II scan tool? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Leroy

A. I did a product review on a tool that will convert your lap top into a scan tool. It is made by the Winsted Group. It sounds like it's what you are looking for.

AutoXray makes a nice scan tool as well. EZ 6000 Scan Tool - OBD I & OBD II. They have a few others in various price ranges as well.

AutoTap makes an interface similar to the Winsted Group interface for a palm or PC. I have never used this one so I can't vouch for it's useability.

Take your time in choosing one. Make sure the one you pick will do what you want it to. You'll have it for a long time.