Ford Ltd Crown Victoria diagnostics

Hi,

I could need some help in terms of vehicle electronical diagnostics.
currently, I have the chance to get an older snap-on diagnostics device, suitable for the cars from 1980 to 2000...
For each car or make specific adapters and interface cables are available. Now I have to determine the kind of connectors in my Ford to connect it with the diagnostic device. I checked the chilton manual, but there is no information given about professional electrical/electronical or ecm diagnostics.
Has anyone an idea where the connectors are located in my ´84 Ford? I believe there should be at least one for engine diagnostics and maybe another one for the rest of the electrical system. I see there are many unplugged connectors in the engine compartment, but I have no idea which one is the correct one...as I have to purchase the cables too, I need to know what kind of connectors they have to have.
My car is equipped with the single point fuel injection and the EEC-IV

Thanks a lot for your help!

Matthias

 

Most probably OBDI, but I'd suggest taking a pic of the connector (under the dash, left of steering column) and post it here.

Maybe some helpful information here:
http://www.aldlcable.com/

 

The adapters for GM, Ford, and Chrysler Corp always came with the device. Only foreign adapters had to be purchased separately. If they aren't included, the seller is trying to make some extra money by charging for them separately.

I'll see if I can dig mine out later and post some pictures for you......unless someone else has one handy.

 

thanks for your replies!
I am not sure if you got me right, as far as I know, this is not OBDI. The seller is my snap-on representative and he told me, that, in the beginning of automotive diagnostics, there has been no standard concerning the connection or connectors, even within one brand. Therefore the diagnostic device has been sold "solo", the cables for specific cars had to be purchased separately. No idea if he´s cheating on me, but so far he has been honestly. Some standard cables for the big three are included in the set, but my Ford is far too old and needs a specific one.
But I´ll check the under the dash location! Thanks!

 

The standard Ford cable fits all cars up until OBD1 came out. Your car doesn't need a specific one, you just need to figure out where the interface to plug it in is.

 

Alright guys, here's the straight skinny: OBD I came out with the cars that had any diagnosis capability. The '84 MY 5.0L EEC IV is OBD I, and, if I remember correctly, the connector is on the passenger inner fenderwell. There are actually two connectors: a six-pin one and it's paired with a one-pin one in the same harness. If the factory connector cover is in place, it will say something like "EEC IV diagnostic connector," or something similar. If not, you need to look for these:

 

Great! Thanks guys!
@Silvertwinkiehobo: I will watch out for this one!

 

Can't you just jump the pins on the diagnostic port and have the Check Engine light flash the codes at you? That is all I have ever done for OBD-I cars. It has been a while since I've worked on an OBD-I Ford, but there should be instructions on the internet somewhere. All you need is a paperclip.

 

A paperclip is for GM cars; you need a jumper wire with blade terms to do an OBD I car. Besides, he bought a Snap-on scanner; why not just use it? Not only will it give the trouble code numbers, it'll give a basic code definition, based on the engine he inputs.

 

The only unfortunate thing is that he won't have datastream, but he will have KOEO test along with stored codes, and the KOER test with harness wiggle and cylinder balance.

 

I guess. All of the OBD I Fords I have ever scanned I just used a paper clip. I don't know what Snap-On scanner he is looking at, but most of the OBD I scanners are just a fancy paper clip with a digital readout. Unless it is a great deal I would rather spend the money on a more updated scanner.

 

A more updated scanner does you no good on older cars. I'm sure he's getting an MT2500 and it means he's getting it used, so the price is nice.

 

That´s exactly the point!
A modern scanner is not able to support you on older cars. As far as I know, there has been a cut around the year 2000. If you have to work on older cars, you will need an old times scanner too.
And yes, I can get it used, so the price is not cheap, but reasonable and affordable.
I wouldn´t think about buying it for my Ford only, though, but I own a ´93 Pontiac Trans Sport too and my sister-in-law a ´97 Ford Windstar. So I guess it´s worth the deal.
Besides this, if the paper clips works or not, the check engine lights Flashs will not get you deeply into the configuration or troubleshooting of the system. Just help you to get an idea where a failure may be.

Thanks to all so far!

 

Btw,
as far as I know, OBD1 has been introduced around the end of the eighties (1988?), so, my car is too old for OBD1 and a specific connector is necessary.

 

No. OBD I was introduced earlier than that. For Ford, it was with the first EEC IV car, which was, IIRC, the 1.6L four-banger. There are those who think OBD I started with datastreaming, but the diagnostics followed the emissions standards, not repairability.