We were out of cell range on a Sunday & the 19 F150 threw a wrench light and got really gutless, managed to limp it in and get a hotel as we were 2k miles from home....

Next morning it was off and the dealer we stopped at said they were to busy to look at it drive 50 miles south and find another dealer & on and by the way, when that light goes out it does not store any codes....

Who makes a quality scan tool that will read and tell you what's up when the truck throws a wrench at ya or any other light/code.......

 

You'd be best served by Forscan and an OBD2 dongle (OBDLink MX+ being the more expensive but most recommended option). That would, of course, require you to have a Windows PC with you... if you carry one when you travel, great... if not, a cheap tablet will work.

 

Any OBDII code reader should do the trick. I got one from Harbor Freight years ago for around 50 bucks. It can read and/or clear codes.
The the OBDLinx MX with the software that comes with it (it has a phone app) can make quicker troubleshooting. Not to mention you can run virtual gauges on the phone. That's cool.
The Forscan option is cool, free software, but can be too much if you just want to see what's wrong.

Good Luck.

 

Been looking at Forcan, but it's way over my head, I'm lucky to figure out how to turn on a computer & when I need something on the phone, throw it at one of the kids

Simpler is better for me...

 

The problem with the "code reader in a box" devices is they typically can't be updated, so they eventually have to be replaced as new codes and technologies are added in.

There are OBD reader apps for Android (probably for Fruit-phones as well) that will connect to the various OBD dongles (like the OBDLink) and let you pull/reset codes, see gauges, etc.

 

Purchase a Bluetooth OBDII dongle, and use an app like Torque or Dashcommand on your phone/tablet - best option IMO

 

Get a OBD Link MX Bluetooth from Amazon plug it into your OBD11 port and make sure its paired with your phone and in your Store on your phone you can install Torque or Dash Command and you can clear your Own Codes.