ford-obd: ELM327 OBD-II reader + 6.0 Power Stroke no-start triage

Read stored/pending/permanent DTCs, decode with 6.0-relevant codes flagged, guarded mode-04 clear (--clear), key live PIDs + battery voltage, and a 6.0 no-start triage checklist. Tested against a CH340 ELM327 v1.5 adapter. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com> Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_016yT89n4zR4qbrySoSiEyZs
2026-06-29 19:17:35 -04:00
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+6.0 POWER STROKE OBD-II CODE READER  (works on any OBD-II vehicle)
+==================================================================
+Built tonight for the CH340/ELM327 adapter. Reads trouble codes, key
+live values, and prints a 6.0 no-start triage. Tested against your
+actual adapter.
+
+WHAT YOU GET
+  obd_reader.py   the tool
+  RUN_OBD.bat     double-click launcher for Windows (auto-installs pyserial)
+  README.txt      this file
+
+ONE-TIME SETUP ON THE WINDOWS LAPTOP
+  1. Install the CH340 driver (you're already doing this) so the adapter
+     shows up as "USB-SERIAL CH340 (COMx)" in Device Manager > Ports.
+  2. Install Python from https://www.python.org/downloads/
+     IMPORTANT: tick "Add Python to PATH" on the first install screen.
+
+RUN IT
+  Easiest:  double-click RUN_OBD.bat
+  Manual:   open Command Prompt in this folder and run:
+                python obd_reader.py
+            force a port/baud if needed:
+                python obd_reader.py COM5
+                python obd_reader.py COM5 9600
+            add -v to see the raw ELM327 traffic (for troubleshooting):
+                python obd_reader.py COM5 -v
+
+ON THE TRUCK
+  - Plug the adapter into the OBD port (under the dash, driver side).
+  - Turn the key to RUN (not just ACC). Engine off is fine for codes.
+  - Run the tool. It reads STORED, PENDING and PERMANENT codes,
+    flags no-start suspects, shows battery voltage + key live values,
+    then prints the 6.0 triage checklist.
+
+SCOPE / HONESTY
+  A generic ELM327 reads standard OBD-II: codes, generic PIDs, voltage.
+  It does NOT read Ford-enhanced diesel PIDs (ICP, FICM main/sync volts,
+  IPR%). Those need FORScan. This covers reading codes + the basics so
+  you can triage tonight. For FICM/ICP numbers, measure at the FICM with
+  a meter, or get FORScan from the CyanLabs mirror when it's back up.
+
+  Default baud is 38400 (measured on your adapter). If you get garbage,
+  try 9600.