How do you tap into the computers of 1980's cars? and what can you do with them?

Question

I have a 1986 Thunderbird and i found a port in the engine compartment labeled "EEC test". I think these cars have computers in them and i was wondering how you could connect to them with a modern laptop or something, and if you could do anything to it.

Thanks

Answer 1

Unless you are willing to part with a great deal of money, the only thing it can do for YOU is to retrieve trouble codes with it.
This early generation didn't offer "live data" from this port on Ford products, so even a tall-dollar scanner won't be of much help here.
But it IS useful to you for diagnostic information.
Go here------->

http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-17.htm

...for a discussion and procedure for retrieving the Diagnostic Trouble Codes.
Scroll down below the chart for a clear illustration of the connections.
But you don't really NEED the meter. You can use a test light, connected in the same manner instead.
Or if the car has a "Check Engine" light, (probably not) watch the light for the code flashes instead of watching the meter pulses.
Once you have the codes, and have identified their meaning, diagnostics of the system involved becomes much more direct and sure, rather than the "shotgun in the dark" method of diagnosis and repair.

Good Luck, and Merry Christmas

Answer 2

they use that, for you guessed it, testing. When you bring in your car, they sometimes use that to Diagnose the computer-controlled parts of the car.

you can probably find an online guide for this, but you can probably change things like fuel injection...