1994 Ranger Diagnostic options

[DroidTN]

Hey guys, from what I understand, OBD diag tools only work on vehicles 1996 and newer. What are my options to buy an inexpensive diag tool for around $100, software or hardware? An added bonus would be if it would work with newer cars also.

Thanks!!

Andrew

 

[tmcalavy]

Unless they changed drastically in 94, you should have an EEC-IV diagnostic system...way different than OBD. You can use a jumper wire to get the codes to flash through the check engine light, or hook up an analog volt meter to display the codes through sweeps of the meter. Google pulling EEC-IV codes and you'll get several hits/links that show you how to do it. If I'm wrong someone will correct me and set you right.

 

[1994Ranger$$$pit]

There's also a youtube video that shows how to do this.

 

[DroidTN]

Yea I saw a youtube video that shows a guy bridging two connectors with a paperclip. There is the EEC black module I believe with 4 terminals on it and another gray one that has one terminal. My only problem is on my '94 Ranger, I only see the black 4 terminal box, there isn't another gray one, which is required to do that test...unless I am wrong or missing something?

 

[Mike92STX]

I got a OBD1 reader off of Amazon for about $30 for the wifes 94 Explorer. Didn't want to try and count the flashing light.

 

[SenorNoob]

Technically both systems are called OBD. Early is OBD1 and 96+ is OBD2. Newer OBD2 has something called a CAN-bus.

There is a cheap tester that can read Ford OBD1.

Innova OBD I Code Readers 3145

To do more than Ford or include OBD2 you have to spend more. There are very few options in the OBD1+2 market.

I bought one of these for my OBD2 and do my truck the hard way. Although those flashes seem to get harder to count right every time.

Autel MaxiScan MS300

 

[tmcalavy]

Don't know what to tell you if the gray STI terminal is missing from your truck. But I did find this link that might help:
http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1i/bl804i.htm

 

[DroidTN]

Technically both systems are called OBD. Early is OBD1 and 96+ is OBD2. Newer OBD2 has something called a CAN-bus.

There is a cheap tester that can read Ford OBD1.

Innova OBD I Code Readers 3145

To do more than Ford or include OBD2 you have to spend more. There are very few options in the OBD1+2 market.

I bought one of these for my OBD2 and do my truck the hard way. Although those flashes seem to get harder to count right every time.

Autel MaxiScan MS300

I found one just like this at O'Reilly for $30 but they said it wouldn't work unless the check engine light was on, which mine isn't.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

You can read flash codes for free. Reading data off a 94 is going to cost a heap of money.

 

[DroidTN]

You can read flash codes for free. Reading data off a 94 is going to cost a heap of money.

For free as in using the KOER method and a paperclip?

 

[tmcalavy]

Yep...but you have to have that little gray connector. If someone before you removed it you have no way of running the self test...check around under the hood, it may be dangling somewhere in there out of sight.

 

[1994Ranger$$$pit]

How the heck do you get the cover off without breaking something?

 

[DroidTN]

How the heck do you get the cover off without breaking something?

From what I saw in the video, you don't take the cover off. You just stick a paperclip/wire in one of the terminals.

 

[tmcalavy]

There's no cover on either terminal. You use a paper clip or jumper wire to jumper between them and do the engine self test with the ignition switch/key.

 

[canyoncritter]

http://oldfuelinjection.com/?p=13 this use to be fordfuelinjection.com. but the "ford" police made him change the name. best sight Ive found for this. gives a list of codes and a good run down on how the computer "thinks"