NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #1/NN_1993_1.iso/spool/rec/autos/tech/17460

Text File | 1993-01-06 | 2.9 KB | 66 lines

Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Path: sparky!uunet!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!saimiri.primate.wisc.edu!ames!pacbell.com!tandem!whitney!bill
From: [e-mail] (Bill Norcott)
Subject: Re: Ford Taurus Computer
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Nntp-Posting-Host: flyer.tsg.tandem.com
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Bill Norcott)
Organization: Tandem Computers, Inc.
References:  <[e-mail]>
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 00:09:40 GMT
Lines: 51

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (David Scholten) writes:
|> I have an `87 Ford Taurus 3.0L engine.  What I would like to
|> know is how to read out the error codes from the computer.
|>

You can read the fault codes use the information to replace sensors by
yourself, and you will save a ton of money, plus you won't feel that
you are getting ripped off on unnecessary repairs.

You can read the codes out yourself using a simple analog Volt-Ohm
meter you can buy at Radio Shack for $15.  Your local library probably
has the Chilton's or Mitchell's book on electronic engine diagnosis,
in the reference section.  This tells you how to hook up the VOM and
read the codes, what the codes mean, and the step-by-step diagnostic
for when you get the codes.  I have used the Mitchell's book and
found it excellent.

Basically, you hook a jumper wire between two of the pins of the STAR
connector, attach the (-) lead of the VOM to another pin, and connect
the (+) to the (+) terminal of your battery (this is with the VOM
set on 0-15V DC scale).  When you turn on the ignition key the needle
of the VOM will start to swing and by counting the pulses and writing
down the digits you get the error codes.

For about $50 you can get a diagnostic tool that plugs into the STAR
connector and has an LED and a beeper to flash/beep out the codes.
This has no wires to hook up and also includes a manual that lists
all the codes and how to diagnose them.  I went the cheap route because
it is simple to hook up the wires and the VOM has many other uses besides
reading trouble codes.

I believe with the Taurus all you have to do is jumper the two pins
on the STAR and the "check engine" light will flash out the codes, can
somebody confirm this?

It takes maybe five minutes to read the codes out, for that they
charged you $50.  It could take longer if they followed the diagnostic
steps in the book which confirm that it was actually the TPS.
However, they probably saved time by just swapping in a new TPS from
their inventory and checking to see if the codes were then normal.
This involves unplugging a connector and removing two screws, a five
minute job at most.

--
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Bill Norcott            GUARDIAN POSIX project
Tandem Computers, Inc.
10600 N. Tantau Avenue        PHONE:  [phone]
Cupertino, CA   95014        EMAIL: [e-mail]