Close



Results 1 to 13 of 13
  1. #1

    Default Breakout Box interest

    Greetings all:

    Could someone post a short intro to the various breakout boxes and components Ford used? I'd love to have one for the 86 but before I purchase anything I want to see what I should buy. There's info on the web but not too much detail. I'd guess there were a few models and accessories for the different models Ford made. Pictures would be wonderful as well.

    Cheers.
    M

  2. #2
    FEP Super Member xctasy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Dunedin 9011, New Zealand, South Pacific
    Posts
    3,961

    Default

    I don't buy pre OBDII stuff brand new, ever. Modern suppliers are not into service per se , but making sure the business they do survives.

    I guess you are aware that you can make them.

    http://www.merkurclub.com/kizerweb/s...s/breakout.htm


    I've seen it done many times for EECIV Cologne V6's, The German stuff was cutting edge, and used the first OBDII EECV systems as well later in 1994, well before it was mandatory in the USA.


    You can live data stream with a Breakout box, or some later 5.0 replacement or OEM EECIV's from 1991-1995


    Quote Originally Posted by xctasy View Post
    .........

    Owatonna Tool Company stuff is very good. Robert L Bosch now owns OTC and Actron.


    The Ford OTC 3225 ECM Engine Breakout Box



    and the Ford Rotunda OTC 007-00026 diagnostic breakout box adaptor



    are a much more helpfull with live data.

    The OTC breakout box is essentially the 60 pin input live data stream like the Bosch 1350 or OTC 3211 or Actron CP9690 or the later Encore can do for pre OBDII. You can access it for 200 bucks via the 1350/3211 or CP9690.

    Live data in later systems like my 129 dollar Alex Pepper Car Code (or 85 dollar, Group Buy) are normally the preserve of the 1996 on wards OBDII's,

    but the OTC 3211 is backwards compatable for 200 ping, and live streams as well. The OTC Encore is too, but its ....1500 bux.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xs8boce2_w

    The Thexton 60 pin breakout box varies in composition.







    Its a 6 x 10 matrix prong system, with an overlay for the various codes. That really only tells you if your earths are working correctly.


    You then have to use an OTC 4660 plug puller and go on a continuity, sensor and ohm-age mission find the static dress of the prince of powers.

    Previous info on the time honoured Thexton Breakout box No 126 (the best for the least)

    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...-Break-out-box

    Common faults


    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...ulty-EEC-Relay
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...21#post1861721
    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...180792-A9l-ecu


    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...stang-computer

  3. #3
    FEP Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Santa Maria Ca
    Posts
    743

    Default

    I’ve got the Thexton 126. I think I bought it here.
    85 Saleen Mustang(s)

  4. #4

    Default

    I am going to sound "uninformed" but what, pray tell, is a break out box and what is it used for?

  5. #5
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Grand Junction, CO/RR TX
    Posts
    14,206

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Coffeejoejava View Post
    I am going to sound "uninformed" but what, pray tell, is a break out box and what is it used for?
    Simply a diagnostic tool that is connected between the computer and the main harness so you can test individual pins/circuits with the car running, starting, etc. to diagnosis/verify problems or issues.
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  6. #6
    FEP Senior Member Greywolf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Richmond, ME
    Posts
    967

    Default

    I'm at sea, so I don't have any pictures on me. I've got both of these:

    Ford Rotunda made a breakout/testing box (by which I mean "briefcase sized") that inserted inline between the computer and the harness. It had the plugs at both ends of a wire harness, a box that sat on the passenger's seat, and a readout that clipped to the sun visor.
    You then took a notebook full of overlays, selected the proper one (based on year/model/engine), and placed it on the box, then tuned the knobs and switches on the box to match the overlay.
    Then, you select the test you're running (Key on, engine running; key on, engine off; or read stored codes) and use the knobs and switches to check each circuit; reading the display. It also allows you to substitute values for some components (rich/lean O2 sensor, hot/cold engine temp, etc).

    The second box, also briefcase sized, has a cassette player and 8 plugs. You plug each of these into the first box, select the 8 channels you want to record, and it datalogs your chosen signals onto the cassette tape. It handily has a counter on it so you can note what section of the tape your failure occurred at, and you can fast forward/rewind to watch those signals. State of the art in 1986!

    I don't know why I keep those; my only remaining OBDI Ford is my '87 F150 and I have an OBD2 reader with the Ford EEC-IV adapter.

    PM me and I'll dig up some pictures when I get home.

    Edit, here are some pictures of them from eBay:

    EEC-IV Monitor:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-RONTUN...-/253816694239

    EEC-IV Recorder (connects to EEC-IV Monitor); this one is different from mine as it doesn't appear to use a cassette tape:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rotunda-For...ia!04357!US!-1

    Book of overlays for EEC-IV Monitor (makes it easy to set all the switches/knobs to a particular car):
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rotunda-For...ia!04357!US!-1
    Last edited by Greywolf; 08-29-2018 at 04:42 PM.

  7. #7

    Default

    What overlays should be with the EFI Monitor manual? Various sellers online don't really know what these manuals should have. I'd rather not buy an incomplete manual for the 86GT. I did manage to pick up a monitor however. And the Thexton BOB. But need manuals.
    Thanks.

  8. #8
    FEP Senior Member Greywolf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Richmond, ME
    Posts
    967

    Default

    The overlays were vehicle-specific, so they were bundled with various tool sets. I have a folder that probably came with the tester originally, and it has added "pages" containing overlays for newer vehicles. There is some overlap of which overlays work with which vehicles, and also a page describing settings for vehicles that don't have overlays.
    So, I would guess the selection of overlays provided with the tester varied by year or might have been chosen by the purchaser.

  9. #9

    Default

    holy schniekies... now I'm gonna have to go dig out my EEC-IV monitor and recorder! I'll snap a pic of my overlay binder while I'm at work tomorrow. Hell, I still have an original STAR tester there too...
    Jim DeAngelis
    Cornucopia of Useless Knowledge
    Connoisseur of Dearborn Ferrous Oxide
    '83 GT hatch, currently under the knife
    '79 Capri 2.3L n/a, Medium Copper metallic, survivor
    (bought from MRausch82)

  10. #10

    Default

    The manual I order arrived today. It is missing a few overlays but included some that are not listed on the header of the 'pocket pages' that hold the overlays. At least it has the 5.0 overlay. The date on the manual is 1987 but includes overlays used for up to 1989 models. It appears I am missing four of the them. However, it starts at 5- on the header page. Yet I have numbers 1 and 4. Odd. I guess I'll keep it but maybe I should search for a newer manual? Thanks for the help. Looking forward to using this new toy.

  11. #11

    Default

    Almost forgot. I suppose there are overlays for the BOB as well? Of course my other new toy did not come with them. If anyone has them or copies...
    Thanks.

  12. #12

    Default

    BOB only had overlays for certain applications other than the PCM. There were BOB adapters for things like ABS, and Mazda MECS systems. They would use an overlay to call out correct pins.
    Jim DeAngelis
    Cornucopia of Useless Knowledge
    Connoisseur of Dearborn Ferrous Oxide
    '83 GT hatch, currently under the knife
    '79 Capri 2.3L n/a, Medium Copper metallic, survivor
    (bought from MRausch82)

  13. #13

    Default

    Got it.
    While I'm at it...
    My Monitor is missing the 'switchbox' for testing specific components. Not sure what it looks like exactly but if anyone has one, I could really use it.
    Don't have a good picture but hopefully someone has one or can assist and track one down.
    Thanks.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •