Diagnostic computers and help with a 2000 Taurus

Is it posable to purchase a automotive manufacture spec diagnostic computer, without spending thousands of dollars? I want more than just a OBD II scan tool. I want to be able to get into the ecu like the Ford Techs can to view all of the readouts in real time and data log. IMO the OBDII scanners don't really help as the codes are usually not the true culprit. (Keep in mind the last time I attempted to work on a modern car was back in 2000)

We have a 2000 Ford Taurus that runs very rough at idle and a crazy transmission problem as well!

If you stop to hard or speed off to fast it act like it won't lock the converter or something. (RPM's rise 1,500) But if I stop the car, turn the engine off, let it sit for a minute and crank it back up it will drive right again. The transmission fluid is full, clean and doesn't smell burn't. Stopped in drive, neutral or park the rpm's hunt 1,000.

No one has any ideas about the problems with the Taurus?

I figure the pump is worn in the transmission and when you make high G events the pump pick's up air into the pump. It always corrects it's self when you kill the engine and let it sit for a moment. If you shut the engine off and crank it right back it won't do it.

I had a guy tell me that the Taurus engines are bad about sludge building up in the intake manifold especially in the IAC passages? I wanted to know what I have to do to fix it? If I had to guess that would mean removing the intake manifold and cleaning it real good. I would like to know before I start taking apart the engine.

My $200 scan tool from advance auto I can use it to preform a drive test that shows all the sensors working

Did you ck your atf level? sounds low or the filter fell out.
A hunt at idle is usually a vacuum leak , theres a rubber elbow on the pcv line and a straight rubber piece both are prone to get a hole in them.
Check the hoses from the throttle body to the air filter. make sure no holes and clamps tight. I think theres a plastic line the pushes into the hose too.
I don't know about a cheap scanner that shows live data.

The ATF is new and full. The wife took it to the dealership and had them change the transmission fluid and it didn't make a difference. If I'm not mistaken they use a machine to change the fluid and don't actually change or check the filter. I will check the lines tomorrow with some starter fluid. Thanks for the advice!

This was my mother in laws car that we took over after she passed away. They didn't believe in automotive maintance, I had to explain to the father in law that the car is fuel injected and you didn't have to pump the gas pedal to start the car! One morning he woke us up revving the crap out of the engine. He explained that the car was running rough and figured there was trash in the carburetor.

I've got a CRP129 Launch Creader Professional at work. Not as advanced as a Snap On or Mac scan tool but it only costs a couple hundred bucks