Can't Read Codes
 

Tried to plug my reader into my 99 Windstar and got nothing. I had checked the codes on my brother's '03 Buick last week and plugged into my 06 F-150 after I tried my Windstar. Both with no problems so the code reader is fine.

Make sure the cig/power point fuse isn’t open, the DLC gets its power there...

Thanks! As soon as I read your answer I remembered my cig lighter wasn't working. Replaced the fuse and all is good for now.

The elusive diagnostic woes—I’ve had major troubles
 

My car’s been unreadable for awhile now
I’ve done everything from computer swaps to engine swaps. I’m wondering do any of you think a bad catalytic converter and broken clock spring could cause the computer to be unreadable?

How about a little info?
Year, model , engine?

Can’t Read Codes
 

2003 Ford Windstar

Talk about being confused,

I need some help here, what is this stuff about engine swaps, was it this vehicle or a different one?
Do you have any kind of test equip to use?
Like a multimeter?
Depending on your reply , maybe we can suggest a few checks that might help.
Normally , a converter should have no effect on whether you can obtain codes.
A clockspring consists of some wires and if any are possibly shorted, MAYBE.

How far back does the problem go where you could not communicate with the computer?
What steps did you take ?
If I were looking at the vehicle in person , I would be looking for many things that might produce an answer, but not being there to see these little things, makes it a little rough to go down the list so we have some idea of just where we are. "IF IT WAS ONLY THAT EASY".

Please provide as much info as you can, no matter how unimportant you might think it is, can you do this ?

Can’t Read Codes
 

I have a multimeter—what would you have me check? While I’m awaiting parts delivery, I’ve disabled the charging system though—I actually just put the battery on the tender yesterday to start charging for service. I was installing a new torque converter, stator support, chain and oil pan. Anyhow a FORD service department researched this for weeks—even gave me a loaner car. They couldn’t find the problem. They even gave me my money back—to mark the first time in history a company’s ever done something ethical….lol. They couldn’t get certain modules to respond and ultimately couldn’t figure out why. They performed “Recall” work on my suspension and it runs great—but those modules just refused to wake up.

OK , let's go !

On the DLC (diagnostic plug) P{in #16 must have battery voltage , does it?

Pin #s 4 & 5 must have good ground connections , do they . Please tell me how you tested them, thanks.

It is not our intention to poo poo any shop or dealership, so we take nothing for granted and do our own tests.

2003 Windstar
 

Ok my friend gimme a few days…after all that work I was up to, my radiator sprung a leak…had to do a plastiweld on it—hope it holds. A lower control arm necessitated my resizing the steering knuckle(darn Autozone). I’ll let you know when I’m ready