Diagnostic Methods: Overview
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 30 other vehicles, including the 2004 Mercury Sable, 2004 Mercury Mountaineer, 2004 Mercury Monterey, 2004 Mercury Marauder, and 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The Diagnostic Methods article provides information on routine diagnostic tasks.
When following powertrain diagnostics on OBD II vehicles, the system may be checked by an off-board tester referred to as a scan tool. This article contains information for performing diagnostics with a scan tool. A scan tool has certain generic capabilities that are standard across the automotive industry in the United States. All functions are selected from a menu. Refer to the instruction manual provided by the tool manufacturer.