Good Code Scanner for 1998 Explorer?

1998 Ford Explorer 4x4, 4L SOHC,

What is a good code scanner to buy for this vehicle? I don't want to spend a ton for a high end pro shop model but I want a decent one.
I just bought this vehicle and the engine light has been on for some time prior. I want to put that light out :)

I just saw an Actron CP9580 w/ Code Connect on E BAY for $120. (used). Pretty good unit. It'll do just about all cars and years, will work well into the future. I have one for use around the house. ( I paid much more). Or you can pick up a basic, but useful unit from Harbor Freight for around a hundred.

I just saw an Actron CP9580 w/ Code Connect on E BAY for $120. (used). Pretty good unit. It'll do just about all cars and years, will work well into the future. I have one for use around the house. ( I paid much more). Or you can pick up a basic, but useful unit from Harbor Freight for around a hundred.

Some of the ones on eBay don't ship to Canada. There are some used from China for auction, low opening bid.

What is the difference between the CP9580 and the CP9580A. Update downloads are available on the Actron site. Is it possible to update the CP9580 to the same level as a CP9580A? Was the difference between the two merely the number of 'fixits' included in the program?

What is the difference between the CP9580 and the CP9580A. Update downloads are available on the Actron site. Is it possible to update the CP9580 to the same level as a CP9580A? Was the difference between the two merely the number of 'fixits' included in the program?

I have answered at least some of my own question regarding the differences, here: http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16366
In reading the info in the above Actron link, it seems unlikely that the Actron updates available for download here: http://www.actron.com/downloads/ will bring the CP9580 to the same full function as the CP9580A. I am not absolutely sure of this but I would be surprised if you could match the CP9580A with a simple download.

Still the CP9580 looks like it would be a very useful scanner. I like the feature on the CP9580A that describes where the sensors etc. are located. There is an expanded number of 'fixes' and PIDs (what are PIDs?) in the CP9580A program; I would assume that some or all of these are available in the download update for the CP9580.

My question would be, is the CP9580 still worth buying (seeing you can get them quite a bit cheaper used on eBay)?

How do I 'Thanks' myself? :icon16:
If this helps you, don't forget to click 'Thanks' for me.

Someone told me:
"I was told to go to otctools.com, select support and then downloads. When you get there you will find a drop down menu and you will want to select 3111 and down load it. Its a big file about 321 mega bytes. I ran the program with my actron cp9580 hooked up to my pc. I selected to update the Otc suite and It recognized my actron and updated to the 4.0 scanning suite found on actron.com. The whole otc program converted to the 4.0 scanning suite found on actron.com." HTH
"Parameter IDs, (PID's), are codes used to request data from a vehicle, used as a diagnostic tool".

Someone told me:
"I was told to go to otctools.com, select support and then downloads. When you get there you will find a drop down menu and you will want to select 3111 and down load it. Its a big file about 321 mega bytes. I ran the program with my actron cp9580 hooked up to my pc. I selected to update the Otc suite and It recognized my actron and updated to the 4.0 scanning suite found on actron.com. The whole otc program converted to the 4.0 scanning suite found on actron.com." HTH
"Parameter IDs, (PID's), are codes used to request data from a vehicle, used as a diagnostic tool".

Thanks for that.
I edited my last post. Could you re-read it to see if it makes any difference to you?

Made sense to me the first time. Online posting if full of typo's. Something we all get accustomed to. If I could get one for $120, yeah I'd buy it. Still a very capable scanner for the price. Even if I couldn't up grade it. Mind you that was what someone told me... I dont really know him but he seemed more tech savy than me.

Made sense to me the first time. Online posting if full of typo's. Something we all get accustomed to. If I could get one for $120, yeah I'd buy it. Still a very capable scanner for the price. Even if I couldn't up grade it. Mind you that was what someone told me... I dont really know him but he seemed more tech savy than me.


I wound up finding a brand new Actron 9580A on eBay. There are a bunch of them being auctioned off. I won one for $103.60 USD + $20.55 shipping. Can't beat that!

Thanks for your help.

Score!