buying a ford code scanner?

Question

interested in getting one for my 87 bronco.Can you only get codes with check engine light on? how much do these cost and how easy are they to use?

Answer 1

A scanner will only read codes that are present. However, some vehicles store codes in memory, but the 87 bronco is pretty cut and dry. You can get a basic code scanner from any parts store for a couple hundred dollars. The nice thing is that it will generally read all codes for any vehicle in Generic mode..

Answer 2

Some discount parts stores sell something that passes for a code reader for Ford for < $45.00, made by ACTON.
Save your money. All they do is retrieve codes. That year Ford did not offer "Live Data", so a scanner would be a waste of money.
Go Here----->

http://autorepair.about.com/od/troubleshooting/l/bldtcs29.htm

...and scroll down below the code descriptions for a discussion of the procedure for retrieving the Trouble Codes without a code reader or scanner.
If you don't have a meter, you can disregard that part, and merely watch the "Check Engine" light for the flashes. If in the event that YOUR Bronco doesn't have a light, in place of the meter, use a test light, and watch the flashes.
The code reader does nothing else, except the manual that comes with it will offer the same code descriptions that you get at the above web site, or that you can get in the repair manual.
If you just HAVE to have the little tool, get it, but it won't do anything more than you can do with a jumper wire or a paperclip on the VIP connector.

Good Luck and Merry Christmas

Answer 3

You can pull codes anytime to see if the computer has any stored or not. The prices range from around $50.00 to $2,000. The more expensive, the better quality plus you have to get the book to tell you what the code numbers mean. good luck

Answer 4

The modern day scanners are obd2 compliant and will not work on an '87. '85 to '95 had obd1
check this out
http://ezinearticles.com/?OBD1-Codes-Secrets-for-Domestic-Vehicles&id=188014