Why won't scanner give out codes?

Tiny
RANDY SCOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 MERCURY MARQUIS
  • 73,000 MILES
Check engine light came on, although it doesn't stay on, hooked car up to my Sunpro scanner that I've used many times making sure the battery was good in it. Won't give out codes.
Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 AT 9:47 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Do you have a manual for the scanner? If not, find the brand name, go online and get there support number.

How does it run? Any issues?

Roy
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Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 AT 10:47 PM
Tiny
RANDY SCOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes I have a manual for the scanner, car appears to run as good as ever. It is very well kept & an excellent car with very low mileage for its age. I am the second owner & have had it for the last 40,000 miles. Thank You ASEMaster6371.
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 12:11 AM
Tiny
BRAVESTAR1
  • MECHANIC
  • 234 POSTS
Your car, like my Dad's falls into the OBD void. When manufacturers transferred from OBD-1 to OBD-II, certain vehicles have the OBD plug under the dash, but no pin 5 and 6 to junction to flash the codes. Oh and screwing with a paper clip causes errors in the heating system, so don't do that.

You have to go to a dealership or someone who can do the CCC reader, it's rarer to find a local who can do that car. I run into the same problem each time on the 1994 Buick LeSabre I got here. It's $80-100 every time it throws me a code.
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 2:08 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You can fllash the codes for ford by buying an adapter that will flash out through led on the tool. Auto parts stores sell them. Once you get the code, you need a flow chart from a manual to track down the issue as code numbers never identify bad parts, just failed systems.

Roy
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 1:00 PM
Tiny
BRAVESTAR1
  • MECHANIC
  • 234 POSTS
Thanks Roy. I will check Autozone later to see what they have.
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 2:13 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Let us know the code so we can further assist you

Roy
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 2:15 PM
Tiny
RANDY SCOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Actually Iv'e used this scanner on this car before and it never did this before, it always gave me the codes I needed to help solve the problem. The EEC connector is located on the passenger side inner fender well & it does have the 5th pin necessary for it to work. Now the manual does state the if it does not give codes there is a bigger issue & I should take it to a professional for further evaluation. I'd rather go to a dentist than do that, but I guess I just might have to. I'll first try to find somebody else with a Ford pre-1996 & try it on their vehicle to make sure that the scanner is still functioning properly seeing how I haven't used it in a couple of years. Thanks to all who commented & tried to help. Will let you know outcome when I know. Many Thanks again, Randy.
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 6:12 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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We are not as bad a dentists. There are a lot of us who know what we are doing and care. It is a matter of finding an accomidating shop that will work with you.
I agree. It needs someone familiar with pre 96. It may be a communication issue with the computer but dont rush off and get a new one. Get it checked first

Roy
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 6:15 PM
Tiny
RANDY SCOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
That's not what I was implying. Didn't mean it to sound that way, it"s just I've always been able to find & fix the problem myself, it's a matter of pride, not a matter of judging a dealerships integrity. I just figured that if I tried the scanner on a different vehicle & it worked whether to give out codes or to say that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle, that would at least tell me that the scanner was working properly and that I do indeed have a bigger problem & I'll have to take it to a dealer, and in fact I deal with a good dealership that I trust and hopefully it won't be to bad of a problem. Wasn't badmouthing you professionals by any means. No harm, no foul. Thanks again.
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
RANDY SCOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Okay ASEMaster6371, I'm pretty sure my scanner is bad. I found my Haynes Techbook on computer codes & electronic engine management systems. I found out how to check it with an analog meter & it did give me 2 codes. #332, EGR valve opening not detected, & #565, canister purge circuit fault. Are they connected, & does the canister purge circuit fault mean that the circuit is bad coming from the PCM? Thank you.
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Saturday, July 14th, 2012 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
RANDY SCOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I gave you the codes like you asked me to do. No response. Really? Is this what kind of forum this is? I can"t believe that it"s because of the "dentist" remark. I mean, how old are we? I'm a professional myself. I've been a HVAC Service Tech for 20 yrs. I get comment's like that all the time & don't take them to heart. Anyway I guess you all took your ball & went home. No worries, I'll figure it out like I always do. It might take a little longer but I'll learn in the process & in turn will have to rely on sites like this less & less. Not that I ever got much out of them anyhow. Probably wouldn't get much out of it even if I paid. The beauty about the internet is there is a lot of other sites out there, & forums where actual people like me can talk to each other & share problems without egos getting hurt. If I'm wrong it won't be the first or the last time but I don't think so this time. Sit up there & play "master" with someone else not me. I'm 52 yrs. Old & I have never taken any car to a shop or dealer. That doesn't mean I think ill of them.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 2:02 PM

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