What's a Good Engine Code Scanner For a 2019 Ranger?

[HenryMac]

I've got considerable old school mechanical knowledge... but not so much knowledge about newer engines.

Our 2019 Ranger's "Check Engine Light" came on today. Truck runs just fine. I'd like to check the code myself before I take it to the dealer.

So what's a good engine code reader? Any advice would be sincerely appreciated.

I do not have a smart phone.

Thanks

 

[Uncle Gump]

Your laptop and one of these...

OBDLink EX FORScan OBD Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081VQVD3F/?tag=959media-20

That will get pretty much all you will ever need. Even bi directional controls.

If you just want to read codes... a blue tooth adaptor... download FORscan for free onto your smartphone. I have this one... there are cheaper units. You can also view live data with most.

OBDLink MX+ OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner for iPhone, Android, and Windows https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JFRFJG6/?tag=959media-20

I've been lucky and haven't had to use either much... but when I do... I'm ready. I paid up for the better adaptors from the get go.

 

[HenryMac]

Your laptop and one of these...

OBDLink EX FORScan OBD Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081VQVD3F/?tag=959media-20

That will get pretty much all you will ever need. Even bi directional controls.

If you just want to read codes... a blue tooth adaptor... download FORscan for free onto your smartphone. I have this one... there are cheaper units.

OBDLink MX+ OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner for iPhone, Android, and Windows https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JFRFJG6/?tag=959media-20

I've been lucky and haven't had to use either much... but when I do... I'm ready.

Thanks. I don't have a smart phone... I'll add that to the original post.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You can do the same with a tablet.

Laptop works too.

 

[sgtsandman]

I have an old school Actron OBDII scanner that has worked well for me. It won't do ABS or air bags but it all depends on how much you want to do.

As mentioned above, bang for the buck, FORScan is where it's at. I haven't taken the leap yet myself.

 

[HenryMac]

You can do the same with a tablet.

Laptop works too.

This makes a lot of sense... check out the codes... and eliminate a lot of the stupid shit (auto start) that's drove us guano crazy... Thanks

 

[HenryMac]

Used Forscan via the OBDLinkII cable today. It took a couple tries to get the drivers to work... and it throws an error message about the "Adapter is not optimized for maximum performance" but I was able to read the code.

P2450-C Evap System Switching Valve "A" Performance / Stuck Open

Some kind of fuel tank emissions horse shit <-- (that's an industry term). I'm now getting 31 mpg since the engine light is on. Prior to that I was getting 29 mpg. That's actual MPG, calculated by me, not the truck.