Snap on EEC IV scanner?

[rusty ol ranger]

Ive ran across a few of the old pro style snap on scanners with EEC IV cartridges...even dating back to 81.

Will this just spit code numbers at me like my little innova or will it actually give me some real info?

 

[franklin2]

I have never seen a code reader for the EECIV that gave you any real time data. In others words, I doubt it, they will all be code readers not scanners.

 

[holyford86]

I can say for certain that the mt2500 will give you code numbers and descriptions along with live data if your computer is one of the few that support it. It will also do some functional tests such as the wiggle test and I believe it'll do a couple other things as well. I can routinely find these and the slightly higher end graphing version on marketplace for between 100 and 200 bucks. If you do a lot with older stuff they really are a great unit.

 

[Shran]

I have an OTC System 2000 code reader that takes cartridges for specific vehicles. It will do some live data but it only comes out in the form of numbers, there is no graphing or history or anything like that.

I believe this one will as well but it's WAY more expensive than it used to be:

Amazon.com

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I can say for certain that the mt2500 will give you code numbers and descriptions along with live data if your computer is one of the few that support it. It will also do some functional tests such as the wiggle test and I believe it'll do a couple other things as well. I can routinely find these and the slightly higher end graphing version on marketplace for between 100 and 200 bucks. If you do a lot with older stuff they really are a great unit.

The MT2500's is what i was looking at. Most of my vehicles these days are EEC IV. I might considee grabbing one up.

I have an OTC System 2000 code reader that takes cartridges for specific vehicles. It will do some live data but it only comes out in the form of numbers, there is no graphing or history or anything like that.

I believe this one will as well but it's WAY more expensive than it used to be:

Amazon.com

I like that bosch one but yeah...kinda pricy

 

[holyford86]

The MT2500's is what i was looking at. Most of my vehicles these days are EEC IV. I might considee grabbing one up.


I like that bosch one but yeah...kinda pricy

Just make sure it comes with some cartridges that will work with your year range, I believe mine go up to 2000. I would also yank the hand grip and check the memory battery area for corrosion and such, they just take a standard 9v battery. You'll want to make sure it comes with the ford obd1 adapter and the power wire to hook to the battery and power the unit as well.

 

[franklin2]

I can say for certain that the mt2500 will give you code numbers and descriptions along with live data if your computer is one of the few that support it. It will also do some functional tests such as the wiggle test and I believe it'll do a couple other things as well. I can routinely find these and the slightly higher end graphing version on marketplace for between 100 and 200 bucks. If you do a lot with older stuff they really are a great unit.

You can do all the above with a testlight and a jumper. All of those fancy functions are already built into the EECIV computer. The code reader "scanner" may make it a little easier to figure out what is going on and give you numbers instead of counting the blinks, but all those features can be done with just a testlight or a old 12v meter with a needle.

If you notice when you are using one of those old readers, it just sits there as the computer is spitting out the codes, it's having to count the pulses just like you would, and then it pops a number up on the screen.

 

[holyford86]

2500 usually reads fast codes which come before all of the blinks, it's also nice to have peace of mind knowing the codes found are correct so you're not chasing your tail over problems that dont exist. A test light will not output live data either.

 

[franklin2]

2500 usually reads fast codes which come before all of the blinks, it's also nice to have peace of mind knowing the codes found are correct so you're not chasing your tail over problems that dont exist. A test light will not output live data either.

If you have a scanner that will output live data out of a EECIV computer, I would like to know which model it is. I certainly do not know everything, and didn't know they made such a piece. Unless it hooks in to the circuit board card edge itself. You are not going to get live data from a EECIV through the test plugs under the hood.

As far as I know, you could get a tiny bit of live data from some of the OBDI GM's and Chryslers, but it was very limited.

 

[holyford86]

If you have a scanner that will output live data out of a EECIV computer, I would like to know which model it is. I certainly do not know everything, and didn't know they made such a piece. Unless it hooks in to the circuit board card edge itself. You are not going to get live data from a EECIV through the test plugs under the hood.

As far as I know, you could get a tiny bit of live data from some of the OBDI GM's and Chryslers, but it was very limited.

Snap on mt2500 "brick" scan tool will read live data from the diagnostic port on EECIV IF the unit has the capability an easy way to tell is there will be an additional twisted pair of wires at the diagnostic port. I know my truck will output live data through the port and have viewed it on several occasions, I don't recall exactly what they are but can make a video showing what to look for and what is output

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Snap on mt2500 "brick" scan tool will read live data from the diagnostic port on EECIV IF the unit has the capability an easy way to tell is there will be an additional twisted pair of wires at the diagnostic port. I know my truck will output live data through the port and have viewed it on several occasions, I don't recall exactly what they are but can make a video showing what to look for and what is output

Im going to guess that live data probably came along later in the EEC IV's lifespan?

As in my 2.9's wont...but my 97 460 might?

 

[19Walt93]

Ive ran across a few of the old pro style snap on scanners with EEC IV cartridges...even dating back to 81.

Will this just spit code numbers at me like my little innova or will it actually give me some real info?

The codes are the "real info" that sends the tech to the start of a diag tree to pinpoint the problem. Mickey Mouse scanners like Autozone uses display a guess what could be the cause of the problem so they can sell a part. The diag manual would look like an unabridged dictionary for each model year back in the printed manual days. We fixed a bunch of vehicles after multiple Autozone "diags" led customers to buy unneeded parts.

 

[holyford86]

Im going to guess that live data probably came along later in the EEC IV's lifespan?

As in my 2.9's wont...but my 97 460 might?

Correct, I don't believe the 2.9 ever had that capability, it may coincide with some of the later stuff outputting 3 digit codes but that's just a hunch.

The codes are the "real info" that sends the tech to the start of a diag tree to pinpoint the problem. Mickey Mouse scanners like Autozone uses display a guess what could be the cause of the problem so they can sell a part. The diag manual would look like an unabridged dictionary for each model year back in the printed manual days. We fixed a bunch of vehicles after multiple Autozone "diags" led customers to buy unneeded parts.

It's always good to research the numbers but sometimes a quick description can save you a bunch of time because you can look for obvious things. Am a tech by trade and it's come in handy here and there. The scan tool I use at work is android based with wifi connectivity so I can research the codes on Mitchell from the same tool as well, so I guess there's that. It should be noted that the tool (maximus 4) is absolutely terrible for obd 1 stuff and the old mt2500 runs circles around it there.

My favorite auto zone diagnosis is the bank 1 bank 2 lean codes and they sell you a pair of oxygen sensors for a likely vacuum leak. I always tell people I know, if you're on a trip, have them check it and send me the codes but don't buy anything.