How I Assess Your Engine Health with My Fancy Scanner. Promasters Only.

This week's video, diving into a van I bought recently.

[@arnenystrom4283]

Thanks for such a great video. It got me so excited; I needed a cold shower afterward! This is one of the best videos I've seen about using an advanced ODB2 scanner for identifying issues. I've been debating for months on whether to replace my 2017 Promaster LR 136 with a 2023 Promaster 159 or a 2023 Transit Trail and its content like this that makes me want to stick with Promaster. Thanks again for the best, most educational Promaster content on the internet!

[@promastersonly1419]

I should have added in the video that you can get a scanner that isnt as slick but has most of those functions for under $200. Someday I’ll get a 2nd gen promaster in the shop to point out the differences from the 1st gen. The newer ones have some nice features, but are largely unchanged. That’s a good thing - the less change the better for parts prices and knowledge base.

[@J.Radwan]

Thanks Kip for another informative video, and just so you know we love you back 😄

[@promastersonly1419]

I bathe in the love!

[@michaellaw6508]

Excellent video. It tells me, how much I don't know.

[@gary.joseph]

YAY! More love and videos!! 🤩

[@the.vandersons]

🔥

[@luckyjim51]

You give me hope to keep rolling on.... the only thing that concerns me. What if I don't break down in Ohio 🤔

[@promastersonly1419]

Eventually, EVERYONE breaks down in Ohio!

[@vhockada]

It’s funny when you said what the hells happening on short term on back one and the other bank the same thing because it seems they did that because you were zoomed in on a different graph so it stopped reading the graphs er go the flatlines. Can you confirm that was the case and not really the issue?

[@promastersonly1419]

Haven't even touched this van since I made this video. I may dig deeper and find out what's wrong with it, or I may just replace the motor since this one has 633k on it and may not be a good candidate just to repair and send back into service. Either way, I'll make video on it when the time comes.

[@cl91]

My 2014 tranny is in limp mode and I’m in Atlanta. Any shops recommendations out this way? As it possible that my cylinder 6 misfire has caused a trans limp mode? Lastly what scanner could I use to at least get the trans out of limp mode? Some YT has mentioned using a snap on scanner/dealer but are their any options that I can just buy off Amazon ? Thanks in Advance!!!❤

[@promastersonly1419]

Scanners cant get it out of limp. They can clear the codes, but the codes will return and it will limp again. I know a great shop in Augusta, but he's backed up just like I am. Yours really isn't a promaster problem as much as it's a transmission problem, and the transmission and computer are identical on a minivan or journey. All I can suggest is watch my transmission series of videos and that may at least arm you with some knowledge when dealing with a transmission shop.

[@noway1054]

THINKCAR THINKTOOL PROS - 10 inch OBD2 Vehicle Diagnostic Scanners car code reader Is this what your using?

[@promastersonly1419]

Sorry, missed this question. Yes, Pro S. It's good, but in hindsight I should have bought a smaller/cheaper version. There's a lot of high end stuff the Pro S doesn't do.

[@lolaloveamericamartir3222]

I have a 2019 promaster 3500 (travato) looking for a scan tool to read the abs, transmission, and engine. Not looking to spend too much thinking under $500 is best. I am willing to go up to $1000. What do you suggest what do you use at the shop?

[@promastersonly1419]

There are a slew of great scanners for well under $200. We use one from a company called Thinktool or Thinkcar. Shop around for one of those. More scanner than you'd ever need.

[@michaelvinalon3415]

Does that pay phone work ?

[@barontynan]

Another excellent video! Thank you for your exceptional knowledge! Just got done doing a transmission filter/fluid change at my storage unit (oh how they love me!). When should I do my serpentine/tensioner/pulley (60k as we spell)?

[@promastersonly1419]

I have a video on that! Basically, unless there’s a problem you NEVER need to change the belt or pulleys. I’ve had several go well past 400,000 miles. I’ve NEVER had to replace a tensioner. The idler pulleys will squeek before they fail, usually. But they rarely fail.

[@eugenekalagin8943]

Hi All , is anybody had a same issue , my promaster 3500 wont start just cranking first or second attempt , third time starts right away , after it started works and drives absolutely fine , sometimes very rare it starts from 1st attempt, most of the time just cranking 5-10 seconds no start , then 2nd attempt 5-10 seconds no start , on 3d time starts fine . Thank you all , let me know if someone know the issue

[@promastersonly1419]

This is more a crank/no start than a no crank problem. If I had to guess, I'd guess that you are having an issue with the fuel drainback valve in yours. It's a little valve that retains pressure in the fuel line after you shut it off, so that when you go to start it it's already got pressurized fuel and fires right up. There is a test you can do that nails this diag down; next time you cold start it, put the key to run but not crank. Wait 4 seconds. Shut the key off and put it to run but not crank again. Shut it off. Repeat a 3rd time. Then try to start it. This is cycling the fuel pump to get pressure into the line. If it starts right up, you know it's a drainback problem. If it doesn't, it's almost certainly a fuel pump problem. Neither problem is super difficult or expensive to fix. And if the 3 key cycle thing works, you can just live with it if you like.

[@kenm2342]

@@promastersonly1419 I have the same issue. Not too big a deal, but if it's an easy repair, I would love to do it. I searched for more info and didn't find any. Is it actually called a fuel drainback valve? Thanks! You have the best PM channel out there!

[@promastersonly1419]

@@kenm2342 It’s built into the fuel pump. Not a difficult fix. Part is a few hundred. I personally would just key it twice and live with it, because I’m cheap and lazy.

[@kenm2342]

@@promastersonly1419 Thanks!!!

[@theglobalvanevent9191]

Actually a very informative video. I am over 65 and just got my first bald spot comment from a family member 😢

[@promastersonly1419]

Congrats! One day the bald spot, the next day a senior discount at McDonalds!

[@jjackmanster]

Imagine my delight to see this Pentastar still cranking with 632k miles given that my wife gave a thumbs down on me buying our 2014 159" PM because of just 122k miles. I put my neck on the line and have put another 20k on it with zero problems other than a broken motor mount from sinking into a pothole at speed. When I replaced the battery at 34 months I noticed it was rated 800cca. The new battery from Costco is an AGM rated at 900 cold cranking amps. She purrs immediately now.

[@promastersonly1419]

Excellent. Though someday, maybe 200,000 miles from now it will break down and your wife will blame ME!!

[@thejourney8013]

Did you say 800,000?

[@promastersonly1419]

Sure did. Two of my own vans are at that mileage. Not on their original engines, but one is on it's original transmission.

[@calvinrowley8970]

Jesus 630k miles! Nice impressive for a Dodge lol if I get half that on mine I'll be thrilled

[@promastersonly1419]

Maintain it. Fix it when it breaks, and it’ll go as long as you like.

[@shreddagorge]

Except when it leaks... irrespective of maintenance. 😣

[@4869richard]

I have a question. It may be a dumb question. Where are the horns located on the van?Are the years are different or the same? I have looked some but can not find. What to change to a louder one. Thank you videos are great

[@promastersonly1419]

Horn is a two wire affair located in the passenger side wheelwell in front of the tire. You could substitute any horn for the stock one very easily.

[@shreddagorge]

You take off the front passenger wheel and remove the fender liners to get up into it. The replacement I got from Harbor Freight was agnostic to polarity, but you can check for the negative side with a simple continuity test to a bare spot on the chassis. I used bullet connectors with shrink tube - male for the negative and female for the positive supply side. Something else to be cautious of is if you get too fancy (like air horns with compressors) and pull too much current through the fuse (which IIRC is 10A). I don't know anyone with a ProMaster who isn't embarrassed to honk to OEM horn.

[@jetmelt]

I’ve returned to this video because of the topology view here. 2 questions; why does it show the high can bus and the low can bus as two different segments, isn’t the can bus a single pair of wires going to all nodes? And can you do a video on a 2014 showing the topology view or is there something posted somewhere with the topologies?

[@ddotssor80]

I was thinking about getting the think tool mini what are your opinions as someone who just owns one van as a daily driver

[@promastersonly1419]

The Thinktool stuff (of which there are many models) is great. It’s the slickest, though Autel or Snapon may be more powerful. All you really need is reading data and resetting codes. What you pay for is called bi-direction communication, which means the scanner can actuate things under computer control. You can roll down a window with the scanner, which tells you that the motor is good and the wiring to the motor is good and the computer is good, and therefore your problem is the switch. Stuff like that. In the past, I used a Foxwell scanner that was maybe $170. It read everything and cleared codes and it was enough.

[@hailoverland]

If I had one of those fancy scanners, could I turn off the noisy beep for the seatbelt.? Also on the ProMaster‘s when you turn the key off the window switches are still active for a short time. Could I make those switches turn off after the key is off?

[@arnenystrom4283]

For the seatbelt beep, yes you can turn it off with a proper ODB2 scanner, I did it on mine using my Harbor Freight Zurich ZR-PRO. My scanner is old and I'm sure they're much better ones available for less money. As far as the power windows, I'm not sure, I'd have to try it.

[@hailoverland]

@@arnenystrom4283 nice thank you sir. My friend has an Autel scanner. I’ll have to give him a call.

[@promastersonly1419]

@@hailoverland Autels will turn off the seatbelt chine. I dont know for sure, but I dont think the window timers are adjustable.

[@05fordvan]

Man I get disappointed every time I see a promaster with 400, 000- 600,000 miles. I was so hoping and praying my 2015 promaster would get that kind of mileage. I only got 302,000 miles. Darn head gasket failure.

[@promastersonly1419]

The truth is all vehicles can get to big miles, it’s just the work and expense to do so. You ended up getting a Transit, right?

[@05fordvan]

@@promastersonly1419 no no no, 2021 ram promaster 2500