I have a ELM327 OBD2 scan tool which I bought and I use a few softwares with it. I wanted to see if I could pull up some codes from the AU2 6cyl Fairmont I have 2000 model and it always errors out at the point it tries to establish a connection with the ECU.

It detects the tool and communication port and baud-rate to communicate to the tool correctly and when it gets to talking to the ECU - it failed asking to turn car off then ON. I have a few softwares on my laptop - AutoDoctor, PCM-OBD2, ScanTool.net - all fail at the same point.

I use it nicely on my JEEP WH with no issues but just not on the AU2 Fairmont (XR Series 75th Fairmont).

It would be nice if it could talk to the Ford's ECU so I can skip paying the ridiculous $25 at the mechanic for a 10 second scan.

If anyone has tried this and what software they use.

Im starting to think the OBD2 protocol used to talk to the ECU is too modern for it and maybe an older tool can do the trick.

Thanks

Troyman should be able to advise what software works with the falcons.

it's definitely got the OBD2 connector on the AU2

I dont think the AU is OBD11. As the snap on scanner I use has different plugs for AU and the B series stuff.

thanks, Im thinking you're right. I think it's OBD1 - just the plug is the same as that I use on the JEEP which is an OBD2 16-pin rectangular plug

AU isn't OBD 2.
Its fords version which isn't compatible.
You can use Forscan and I think an ELM427 dongle.

You can use your ELM Dongle, but like has been pointed out, you have to use Forscan Software (Its free).

AU isnt OBD2 compatible - that didnt happen until the BA.

Nigel

Thanks for the replies. I'll try my ELM dongle and with the Forscan software
The ELM327 dongle says it covers OBD1, OBD2 so will have another go, cheers

I use a generic ebay ELM with forscan - it works fine. I also use a bluetooth one.

Thank you everyone, it worked

Forscan and my ELM327 dongle pulled up the DTC logs on the AU2
This included the P0758 that the mechanic found with his so called "$10,000 dollar machine" (these are the words he uses) so he said which took him 10secs and I had to pay $25 for it.

I'll run the scanner next time there's issues before I take it to the shop

(Maybe Ford should do like the JEEP where it diagnoses itself and give out the codes)

Thanks again.