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Ford 'star tester' anyone have one?

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s.crum

01-02-2008 21:57:40




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I was looking thru my Chilton's diagnostic code manuals trying to figure out why after 204,000 miles, the check engine light in my 89' F150 w/ 5.0 engine flashes intermitantly. This just started 2 weeks ago and the gas mileage is dropping so something is out of whack. The manual explains using a voltmeter or counting the flashes but recommends the star or star II tester. All I can seem to find are the OBD2 testers. I'm trying to hold 2 of these old Fords together so I would like to buy a tester.

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Slowpoke

01-05-2008 23:11:33




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 Re: Ford 'star tester' anyone have one? in reply to s.crum, 01-02-2008 21:57:40  
For a late 80's Chrysler product you turn the key to run, then off, on, off again and then on. The light will start flashing. There is about 2 seconds between each group of flashes. When it's finished it will flash two groups of 5 (5-5). The chart will say 55, end of test. After you count the flashes you will need a chart to tell you what each sequence means. It may take a few tries to understand the flashes. Ford may be similar, except for the key on/off part.

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jefff

01-03-2008 10:09:41




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 Re: Ford 'star tester' anyone have one? in reply to s.crum, 01-02-2008 21:57:40  
http://www.gadgetsgalorestore.com/google_details.php?id=137



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Vern-MI

01-03-2008 08:34:58




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 Re: Ford 'star tester' anyone have one? in reply to s.crum, 01-02-2008 21:57:40  
Poke here and you will probably need an analog meter to read the dots and dashes.



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David - OR

01-04-2008 06:32:43




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 Re: Ford 'star tester' anyone have one? in reply to Vern-MI, 01-03-2008 08:34:58  
It was only the 1986 Fords that required the voltmeter (or customer-supplied test light) to see the OBD-I codes. A 1989 Ford (as described in the original post) will "flash-out" the codes on the check engine light. It takes a bit of practice to count the flashes accurately, but once you learn how to do it, all you need is a paper clip or other jumper wire to get the codes and run the various self-tests.

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KEB1

01-03-2008 08:02:06




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 Re: Ford 'star tester' anyone have one? in reply to s.crum, 01-02-2008 21:57:40  
If you use a voltmeter, be sure its an analog one with a moving needle. A digital voltmeter, even a good one, won't respond fast enough to allow you to count pulses. OBD-1 Fords cycle voltage between pins in an underhood connector rather than flash the check engine light. Its been a while since I've had an OBD-I Ford, but I think all I did was make up a couple jumper wires with the right size pins to shove in the connector, one to jump between the appropriate pins to put it in diagnostic mode and one to connecto to the voltmeter. I seem to remember those are flat pins, and you can probably use a normal automotive spade connector and file it down to the right width to fit in the connector.

I wouldn't bother with trying to find a tester.

Keith

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RobMD

01-03-2008 07:23:53




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 Re: Ford 'star tester' anyone have one? in reply to s.crum, 01-02-2008 21:57:40  
JCWhitney.com sells an OBD II code reader built by INNOVA Diagnostics for $90. Was originally $124.99.



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Allan In NE

01-03-2008 05:53:53




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 Re: Ford 'star tester' anyone have one? in reply to s.crum, 01-02-2008 21:57:40  
Those old "Star" testers were a bit "iffy" at best. You don't want one.

On your truck, you can just count the codes by jumping across the data link connector.

Just remember tho that the codes DO NOT tell you what is wrong. Only tells you what the computer sees as being 'out of bounds'.

Allan



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onefarmer

01-03-2008 01:35:59




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 Re: Ford 'star tester' anyone have one? in reply to s.crum, 01-02-2008 21:57:40  
Below is a link to a ebay tester. But quick and easy. Also read this page http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/OBD_I.html



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tn terry t

01-03-2008 03:27:08




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 Re: Ford 'star tester' anyone have one? in reply to onefarmer, 01-03-2008 01:35:59  
i would be leery of that thing in the ebay photo that equus code reader hasent been made for least 10 yrs i have that very one i emailed equus about a manual they told me not available because it was at least 10 yrs old



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Bob

01-02-2008 22:51:33




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 Re: Ford 'star tester' anyone have one? in reply to s.crum, 01-02-2008 21:57:40  
Check ebay.

An OTC or Snap-On scan tool of that vintage will happily read your Ford codes.

For a basic readout of why the Check Engine Light came on, there's a simple procedure to install a jumper at the diagnostic connector, then "read" the stored codes using the Check Engine Light (MIL) itself to flash the stored codes. Cost... almost NOTHING.



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