Check engine light on? Wanna find out why?

[funboy6942]

Code reader

Chiltons manual for every car in book or cd form

Detailed Description
OBD II Code Reader (1996 and newer)
Features:
This compact hand-held OBD2 tool offers light do-it-yourselfers and consumers a quick & easy way to find out why the "CHECK ENGINE" light illuminated on 1996 and newer cars, light trucks, mini-vans and SUVs - foreign and domestic. This little tool packs a big punch with its patented single-screen display and system status LEDs for a quick check.

Key Features and Functions:
Works on all 1996 & newer OBD2 Compliant Vehicles.
"Plug & Play" Interface. Connects to the vehicle and shows all necessary data in 15 seconds or less - no set up required.
Patented Single-Screen Display. Patented all-in-one display shows 19 vital pieces of information, including diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), pending codes, emissions monitor status and more (U.S. Patent #6,687,584).
C.A.N. (Controller Area Network) Coverage. C.A.N. will be mandatory on all vehicles in 2008. It is the fastest way yet for OBD2 vehicles to speak with their computerized systems.
Erases Codes. Lets the user turn off the "Check Engine" light, clear codes and reset monitors.
Booklet and CD. Includes manual with DTC definitions in English, French & Spanish.
Support. Includes free Understanding OBD2 video and support by all ASE Certified Technicians via toll-free phone line or Internet.
System Status LEDs. Color-coded LEDs show quick emissions readiness status. This is great to use before getting an annual emissions "smog" check, buying a used car or taking a long road trip.

This is a super hot deal because this is the only one I could find that reads CAN codes under $150 and comes with a cd with all the code answers on it and is updateable.

It will pay for itself first time you use it to check what the reason for your check engine light is on. This and a Chiltons manual could save you thousands of dollars in labor costs. Hell make a few extra bucks on the side and diag co-workers cars as well. Most shops charge $50-$75 just to read the code the and extra ammout to shut the light off. Now you can do it yourself. Most emmision places will not check your car if the light is on. With this you can turn the light off and see if your car will still pass.
Very usefull tool for any car 96 or newer.

 

[MrX8503]

I think autozone does it for free

 

[funboy6942]

When I lived in Hammond (last place I lived at that had a auto zone. None here now) even if it was free I wouldnt take my car there. The times I went in to get a part they were always busy and spent over an hour to get brake pads or what ever every time. My time is worth more then that to wait in line, get the guy to find time to read the code for him to tell me they dont carry the part and will be a few days till they get it.

This way you read it call order the part go there and pick it up. And honestly I would rather do it myelf and know it is getting done right then some pimple faced kid who doesnt know what a 5057 light bulb is hook up something that can fry my $1000 computer in my car. Then have to wait for him to find the book and look up the code and tell me its """"" and has no clue what it is or even have it.

I cant tell you how many times I have walked into a parts store and tell them something simple like brake pads or a cap and rotor and have them look at me and say " is that part of the transmission or where is that located". I have had to on several instances have them turn the monitor at this point and tell them what button to push and look up my part I need on thier computer screen. And then Im supposed to feel good about getting a free scan

 

[50]

How do we know if our car is OBD2 compliant?

 

[DarkManX]

every can made in 96 is ODB 2 compliant

 

[50]

Thanks. Does this only work with check engine or will it tell me why my brake light is on as well?

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: 50
Thanks. Does this only work with check engine or will it tell me why my brake light is on as well?

Possibly, but most likely not.
Check and see if you are low on brake fluid.
Or if you have ABS part of the system may be malfunctioning.

 

[funboy6942]

This model will not do trans or abs codes. You want that your looking to shell out over $300. If you want a do it all and have the funds and can afford a better one that does more it will only save you further money down the line.

 

[leigh6]

It is always your oxygen sensor anyway,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: leigh6
It is always your oxygen sensor anyway,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I wish that was true
Mine is on and misses at an idle. It will be misfire, coil pack, or injector. But without getting this tool I would be throwing money at it in hopes I get it right. And considering I traded my Van for a 98 Jeep Cherokee and this one (97 Ford SHO) you have to take the intake off to get to anything I dont feel like doing it more then once. For the most part if you got an older Chevy its will mostly be a O2 sensor but when you have something going on like I have its best just to buy one and find the problem.

Wont go to waste since it will do most vechiles so the first time i use it for my car it will surly pay for itself and save me alot of diag time and tear down. If you have never seen a SHO motor google it and see what im up against and why I need to know what it is the first time

Taking this bad boy apart one time will be fine with me. More then that to replace other parts I over looked will not be fun.
The intake gasket that needs to be replaced anytime I need to work on it is $15 a pop so that can add up if I dont find the right problem the first time

 

[imported_Stew]

I saw one of these advertised for $30 somewhere online.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: Stew
I saw one of these advertised for $30 somewhere online.

Sure the real cheap ones with no display or do CAN codes (if you have a very new car your going to need this because it is a new format from the standard one in place right now)
And fact is all cars 2008 and newer will have the CAN computer so this will be usefull now and further down the road.

Make sure to read on which ever you get because the cheap ones may not do much more then read a code and give you the number, or as cheap ones go flash you a light you have to count for the code. Make one mistake counting the flashing light and your replacing the wrong part
This one pretty much monitors and does it all aside of abs and trans codes.

And way to go craping in the hot deals. Off topic to slow for you today? Or can you prove the crap and find the same model or one close to it that does everything this one does?

 

[commOdog]

Originally posted by: 50
Thanks. Does this only work with check engine or will it tell me why my brake light is on as well?

The best way to find out why your brake light is on is to go real fast toward something and then hit the brakes. keep doing it and eventually you will be able to tell why the brake light is on..............


I have an Actron Scan Tool and they work quite well for engine lights. Sometimes the codes are vague but a good google search and the code will get you the top 3 reasons for the code

 

[ak3883]

The way I found out what the CEL light on my Honda was involved a paper clip, if you jump 2 of the pins it makes the CEL light flash a series of long and short flashes, from that you can find the code and thus the problem. So at least you know what it is before you go shell out $80 at the dealer to find out what was wrong


Ah what you can do with Google and a paper clip

 

[cheetoden]

Originally posted by: 50
Thanks. Does this only work with check engine or will it tell me why my brake light is on as well?

Maybe check that the parking brake isn't on.

 

[wiredspider]

How did you manage to score the house for so cheap? Just paid 4x for a much smaller house!

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: ak3883
The way I found out what the CEL light on my Honda was involved a paper clip, if you jump 2 of the pins it makes the CEL light flash a series of long and short flashes, from that you can find the code and thus the problem. So at least you know what it is before you go shell out $80 at the dealer to find out what was wrong


Ah what you can do with Google and a paper clip

Yeah some older cars do this, I'm not sure about the OBD II cars though.

As for the autozone thing, they will loan you a for free a code checker so you can check the code yourself. They do place a HOLD on your credit card for a certain amount, if you dont bring it back, they will charge you.

If you have a laptop or a palm, you can even look into buying a cable and software from the internet or ebay that will do it.
(sometimes you can even find an ancient laptop included with the software/cable on ebay)

Some cars have super advanced custom codes that let you see and or customize all the advanced stuff like fuel mix and stuff.

And yes, if you do any of your own car repair, a unit like this will pay for itself VERY quickly (unless you like running to autozone to get a loaner), especially on the normal stuff.

If its something like with the transmission, better to take it to the dealer. I had a case where the engine light went on in our dodge Intrepid. It was the transmission and the local car repair guy pretty much just replaced the first thing listed in the car repair book for that code, he didn't check into it much. We ended taking it into the dealer, and they had to replace the whole transmission. The electronic part the other guy replaced was screwed up from something else inside the transmission. In other words the repair guy replaced something that was a symptom, not a cause. The dealer had to replace the entire transmission, good thing it was just barely still under warranty.

Just a few random thoughts for you ppl

 

[imported_Super]

Advance Auto Parts checks it for free as well. So does Midas. Lots of places will check it for free.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: wiredspider
How did you manage to score the house for so cheap? Just paid 4x for a much smaller house!

Just the area here. Lots of homes going dirt cheap just need to look around

 

[AceTKK]

There is no reason for the average person to buy a code scanner. As mentioned previously AutoZone, PepBoys, Advance Auto, etc. will all pull your code for free, on the hope that you'll buy the replacement part from them. If you are using this device enough to justify it's cost then you'd be better off putting the $ towards a new car.

 

[Kelemvor]

I looked in my owners manual and it told me.

 

[kamranziadar]

Not a HOT deal

 

[guy1nj]

I HAD THIS ENGINE LIGHT ON PROBLEM LAST WEEK.
someone helped me read the code and it said cylinder#1 misfire,cylinder#3misfire. and then i did an engine tune up for $150...now it is working great!! so if anyone get this kind of problem, doing an engine tune up may fix it...

 

[guy1nj]

I HAD THIS ENGINE LIGHT ON PROBLEM LAST WEEK.
someone helped me read the code and it said cylinder#1 misfire,cylinder#3misfire. and then i did an engine tune up for $150...now it is working great!! so if anyone get this kind of problem, doing an engine tune up may fix it...

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: wiredspider
How did you manage to score the house for so cheap? Just paid 4x for a much smaller house!

Maybe he lives in BFE.