Hey all,
So the "Check Engine" light popped up on the Miata today. Am I right that OBDII is on all cars more recent than 1996? Is there a consumer/prosumer reader that is cheap and reasonable quality? Can I actually use said tool to reset the "check engine" flag when I figure out WTF is going on?
Last time this happened the car had been driven with the gas tank lid not tightened properly and it cost $100 to have the flag reset.
Thanks in advance for the advice!
QUOTE (fiid @ Mar 24 2006, 09:11 PM) |
Hey all, So the "Check Engine" light popped up on the Miata today. Am I right that OBDII is on all cars more recent than 1996? Is there a consumer/prosumer reader that is cheap and reasonable quality? Can I actually use said tool to reset the "check engine" flag when I figure out WTF is going on? Last time this happened the car had been driven with the gas tank lid not tightened properly and it cost $100 to have the flag reset. Thanks in advance for the advice! |
I have a reader http://www.autotap.com/autotap_for_windows.html you can reset the CEL , and diagnose many problems
I bought mine years ago, and have kept up with the upgrades, It now is can read CAN bus on the latest cars etc..
there are other readers out there as well
Fiid, I can clear your code but I won't have my equipment with me tomorrow (if you're coming to breakfast).
If it's the gas cap that caused the problem (again) try driving the car for a while with the cap on and the light might go out (called a soft code). It's basically just telling you "hey there's a huge leak in the evap system." There are other soft codes that might correct themselves too; but we can at least get your started looking in the right direction (which is the whole point of a scan tool in the first place).
Jon
Hi
Code readers are made for the DIYers. Problem is that they do not read P1,P2 codes. P0 codes that the code reader will find, would work well for your needs.
The therory behind it is if the reader doesn't pick up a flag, you need a qualified garage.
Check Ebay, they have some on the cheap
http://cgi.ebay.ca/OBDII-OBD2-Trouble-Code-Reader-Scanner-OBD-2-II-Engine_W0QQitemZ4624895057QQcategoryZ43989QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Good luck
Autozone reads ODBII codes for free. My 2000 Dakota flipped the CEL on, I drove over there and they read the gas cap was loose (it wasn't). They cleared the code and I was on my way.
Can't beat that.
Tom
If you are scheduled to have your car smogged soon, wait a few weeks (of driving). Apparently, you will fail the test if the computer has been cleared within a few days priot to the SMOG test (and I'm told that reading the codes will clear it).
QUOTE (Brian Mifsud @ Mar 25 2006, 06:40 AM) |
If you are scheduled to have your car smogged soon, wait a few weeks (of driving). Apparently, you will fail the test if the computer has been cleared within a few days priot to the SMOG test (and I'm told that reading the codes will clear it). |
I've used this one on my 2000 Tundra, worked fine. Diagnosed two failed oxygen sensors (common problem on early Tundras). If you do some Google searching you can find the model/manufacturer specific codes for your vehicle. It works fine and will clear codes too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46030
I have an Auto Xray system. It's a bit more than a code reader and IMO well worth it. It will display error codes but also shows sensor states (O2 sensor voltage, throttle position, RPM, ..., bunch of other stuff I don't remember).
Later,
Kevin
What the hell are you guys talking about? Most of my cars are too old to have this problem.
Cheers, Elliot
QUOTE (jonwatts @ Mar 24 2006, 10:34 PM) |
Fiid, I can clear your code but I won't have my equipment with me tomorrow (if you're coming to breakfast). If it's the gas cap that caused the problem (again) try driving the car for a while with the cap on and the light might go out (called a soft code). It's basically just telling you "hey there's a huge leak in the evap system." There are other soft codes that might correct themselves too; but we can at least get your started looking in the right direction (which is the whole point of a scan tool in the first place). Jon |
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