Are you struggling to diagnose issues with your older Ford vehicle using generic OBDII scan tools? Many owners of classic Ford trucks and cars, especially those from 1999 and earlier, have discovered that not all OBDII scanners are created equal. The cheap, generic OBDII dongles that flood the market often fail to communicate effectively with these older models, leaving you frustrated and in the dark about your vehicle’s health. If you’re tired of wasting money on useless scanners, the Bafx Products 34t5 Bluetooth Obdii Scan Tool For Android might be the solution you’ve been searching for.
For owners of older Ford workhorses like the F-Series trucks from the late 90s, specifically models like the 1997 and 1999 F350 7.3L, finding a reliable OBDII scanner can be a real challenge. These vehicles, while equipped with OBDII ports, often operate on slightly different protocols than newer cars. This is where the BAFX Products 34t5 stands out. Unlike many budget scanners, this tool is specifically designed to bridge the communication gap with these earlier OBDII systems. Users have reported successful connections and accurate diagnostics on these traditionally tricky Ford models, where other scanners simply failed to even power on.
One user recounts their experience: “I have three other cheap dongles that are not even good for a paper weight.” This sentiment is echoed by many who have tried inexpensive OBDII scanners on older Fords, only to be met with connection errors and a lack of functionality. The BAFX 34t5, priced affordably, offers a significant step up in compatibility and reliability without breaking the bank.
It’s important to note that even if your older Ford has an OBDII port, it might not be fully OBDII compliant in the modern sense. As one user pointed out, their 1997 F350 had a tag indicating it wasn’t fully OBDII compliant, yet the BAFX 34t5 was still able to access many OBDII functions. This highlights the tool’s ability to work with vehicles that exist in a gray area of OBDII standardization, offering broader diagnostic capabilities than generic scanners.
If you decide to use the BAFX 34t5 with software like FORscan on your Android device, there’s a crucial warning to heed: Do NOT start up FORscan while your vehicle’s engine is running. During its initialization process, FORscan can potentially shut down your engine. Always ensure your engine is off before initiating a scan to avoid any unexpected engine stalls or potential safety hazards.
To get you started with the BAFX 34t5 and FORscan, here’s a basic step-by-step guide to establish a connection in Key On Engine Off (KOEO) mode:
- Insert the BAFX dongle into your vehicle’s OBDII Data Link Connector (DLC).
- Turn your vehicle’s ignition to the “ON” position, but do NOT start the engine (KOEO). A red light should illuminate on the BAFX dongle. If it doesn’t, check your vehicle’s OBDII fuse (for example, fuse F17 in a 1997 F350).
- Open FORscan on your Android device. The lights on the dongle should begin flashing, indicating it’s attempting to connect. If not, you may need to manually pair the device via your Android Bluetooth settings.
- Observe your Android screen. FORscan should start displaying vehicle identification information and begin the setup process. If you see a demo mode screen, you’ll need to disable demo mode in the FORscan settings to connect to your actual vehicle data. At this point, FORscan should be connected to your BAFX dongle, DLC, and your vehicle’s Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
- Select “Table” within FORscan. You’ll see indicators at the top of the screen. A black arrow means no data is being recorded yet. A gear icon allows you to select PIDs (Parameter IDs) to monitor. A “D” icon toggles between demo and real data modes; ensure there’s an “X” in the “D” for real data.
- *Tap the Gear icon ().** This will show your selected PIDs, which will be empty initially. You may receive a pop-up; if so, select “PCM” (Powertrain Control Module) rather than “OBDII” for older Ford vehicles.
- Select the “+” icon. This will bring up a list of available PCM PIDs.
- Choose the PIDs you want to monitor by tapping the checkboxes next to their descriptions. For detailed information about a specific PID, tap the arrow to the right of its description. If you encounter an error message like “You must complete the operation” when returning from a PID description, simply use your Android’s back/return arrow.
- Use the Android return arrow to go back to the list of selected PIDs.
- Use the return arrow again to return to the “Table” view. You should now see your selected PIDs listed, but no live data yet.
- Select the black arrow. It will change to a black square, indicating that data recording has begun. You should now see live data values populate for your selected PIDs.
To monitor dynamic data (Key On Engine Running – KOER), first select your desired PIDs in KOEO mode, then start your engine.
While these steps provide a basic guide for KOEO data, remember that this is a starting point. The BAFX Products 34t5 Bluetooth OBDII Scan Tool offers a pathway to deeper vehicle diagnostics for owners of older Ford vehicles who have struggled with generic, less capable scanners. For a relatively small investment, it can unlock a wealth of information about your vehicle’s condition, helping you to maintain it effectively and address potential issues before they escalate.
