1987 f150 OBD1 scanner issue, probably just a bad scanner but want to make sure before I order another one.

Went to AutoZone and picked up an Innova OBD1 scanner. It was the same one used in a YouTube video... I think the bulb is burned out or not working for the check engine light.

Anyway instead of 000 I get an 8 and 2 not quite numbers... Imagine an 8 missing two lines. Tried 3 sets of batteries. Bad scanner?

Trying to get codes so I can order up an iac and whatever she needs. Thanks

Reads this even when not plugged in. If I hit memory then it looses a line or 2 on the last digit.

 

Looks like the scanner is bad, but Ive had that same one in the past, its not worth trying to use. Just replace the check engine light bulb if it is burned out and use the paper clip method.

 

Scanners are UNreliable on these trucks. They're notorious for delivering spurious codes. Only use the jumper wire. If the CEL is burned out, and you don't want to pull the cluster to replace it, just wire in a temporary external CEL or use a meter from B+ to the DLC's CEL ground terminal, shown here:

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Thank you. I had to wait for autozone to get a replacement in stock to swap it out... new one read 000... plugged it in and got 31-10-31... egr is blocked off and unplugged... new IAC arrived today which will probably (hopefully) take care of the stalling issue.

I plan on using the paper clip trick. When I get the time I will defintely pull the cluster and replace the cel bulb. Everything else seems to work and the body is rust free.... and it has the 4.9. No ac but i wanted a truck that I could use around town and slowly restore.

 

It's still delivering a spurious code. There is no "10" because the EEC-IV is not programmed to deliver a zero. The paper clip (jumper wire) is not a trick - it's a published procedure recommended by Ford. This page describes the IAC, and links to more info about replacing it:

(click this text)