scan tools for home use

[jbarnett31]

hey i was thinking about starting to do some diesel work at home since nobody want to let the dealers do customer pay work anymore, and i was just wondering what kind scan tools are good for 6.0 work. Which ones can let you look at the most stuff

[Bruce Amacker]

We've been here before, so here's some reading for you:

 

http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=12630&page=0&fpart=1

 

I'll remind you that FMC never released the CAN bidirectional code to ETI, which means that no aftermarket scan tool has bidirectional controls on a Ford CAN vehicle besides basics like KOEO, KOER, and buzz. AutoEnginuity is a GOOD (not great) scan tool for the $1000 you spend to get the enhanced version. Don't buy the $300 homeowner version (generic OBD only) It talks well to GM, Ford, Chrysler, Japs, and etc. and has good bidirectional controls on all except FMC CAN vehicles (6.0).

 

The truth sucks, but you really need an IDS to fix 6.0's effectively.

 

 

 

/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

[Jeff Adema]

What do you mean, nobody wants to let the dealers do customer-pay work? With excess supply on the lot and dwindling demand, how else does money walk in the door?

Sounds like something else is going on here....

[Keith Browning]

You know I really have to agree with Bruce in that to have the full functionality of IDS will make owning one worth the cost. While using IDS I spend a lot of time taking control of output devices and I cant imagine not having that capability. The down side is that it has no real generic functions so you are really limited to working on Fords only. If you foresee yourself doing a lot of side work then I cant imagine an IDS paying for itself in no time. Do you already have a computer to mate up with the software and a VCM?

 

The icing on the cake is you will have your own IDS at work too which is actually a nice luxury. I don't have to go searching for a scan tool or wait for someone to finish with it or my biggest complaint - beat up or broken equipment. I keep my stuff in excellent condition, it always works and I know right where it is. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

[Jim Warman]

Me three.... I think that anyone that would actually consider an alternative tool isn't using the IDS to anywhere near it's capabilities.... and that's coming from someone that overlooks SGM far too often...

 

Output state control is far too valuable a feature to lose and the manual has us overlook what OSC can tell us about a circuit too often.... (suspect SSPC-A? Enter datalogger and manipulate SSPC-A.... hear the click? Hmmmmmmm... If we heard the click, we just proved out half of the PCM, all of the wiring as well as the solenoid itself... and it took how long?).

 

I think the only change that I'd make to the IDS is to set up the PVT for use without the VMM....

[Shlep]

Another vote in favor of the IDS, I bought the VCM and cables a little over a year ago and it's paid it self off many times over, both at work and some of the side stuff I allow into my garage ( which isn't much ) for off brands I shoulda listened to Bruce and instead I bought a Mac Mentor which is a good unit but it doesn't do nearly as much as I would have liked. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/2cents.gif

[DwayneGorniak]

Another vote from me as well for IDS. And especially for the fact that you will have a laptop that you can load another scan tool system on to it such as Autoenginuity. So you can have two scan tools all in one package. Just makes sense to me.