Motherf#$%ing dash light is on again
 

That does it. I want a fucking code scanner.

Who makes a good one?

actron, you can find them behind the desk at pep boys. use mine practically every day at work

Define good?

Do you want just a generic code that tells you the general area of the problem? $50 at any auto parts store.

Do you want one that will be more specific on the probs and possibly give you trouble shooting options? Those are more spendy, and I have no help on brands, as I have friends at Ford, GM, and Chrysler dealerships that will pull codes for me :)

Looking all over now, considering my options. If I wanna wait a few days, and get some shit on ebay from China (same one they sell at Harbor freight, for half the bread), I can get one that charts, graphs, and prints via PC for $60, to my door.

$40 gets me a basic Actron used on ebay too.

Hoping some here might have firsthand experience with some brands...

prior to our actron we had some pos usb scanning software that plugged into a laptop. shit never worked right. get one of the medium range actrons. you cant go wrong

What vehicle is it...

'99 Expedition...but I'd like to get a decent one that handles all.

Protocol is J1850 PWM...I have a tool that can read any code from any controller as long as it is not 1995 or older (those you can flash codes). You have to make sure that the device you buy will handle the protocol. Ford is pretty big here, so you shouldn't have any issue.

PM Jared (thirdgen). Remember he's a ford mechanic.

We had one that was always showing an evap-system code. Fu!king thing had more pinholes than a shower head.

Broke down and got the top of the line Actron. CP9190

Prints to PC, graphs, give hand jobs. Comes with cables to talk to fucking anything. With any kind of luck, I'll be dead before I need a new one.

Turns out, it was the downstream O2 sensor, on the passenger side...

Sub $100 fix, five minutes work

Do little.
 

$31.25, shipped to my door.

...but at least now I can talk to the animals.

Buy an o2 sensor socket. It will save you some grief.

Prolly not a bad idea, thanks.