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View Full Version : Checking engine codes when you have no check engine light?



Darkwolf
05-31-2006, 04:01 PM
I modified my dash and the one thing I messed up was my check engine light and now something has went goofy with the engine and I need to see my codes :). I know there are wires somewhere you can stick a light between or just count the pulses with a meter and still get the codes but now I can't find the page showing how to do it. Anybody know a page showing how or just want to explain it?

While on the subject anybody have a pinout/wiring diagram for a van dash so I can fix my rigged check engine LED?

cordes
05-31-2006, 10:34 PM
If you have the right scan tool, you can pull the codes from under the hood. There is a connector there.

Darkwolf
06-01-2006, 01:30 AM
I don't :). I know I've seen a webpage somewhere showing how you can jump that connector with a test light and count the flashes there but I can't find it.

cordes
06-01-2006, 09:34 PM
have you tried the loaner from autozone, etc. They should have one that will work with the later cars for sure.

Darkwolf
06-02-2006, 12:44 AM
They don't have any for the older stuff. I looked through my Hayes or whatever today and in the wiring diagram it labels one of the wires on that connector as DIAG so I'll try the test light with that one and ground. If that doesn't work I'll just try them all :).

altered7151
06-02-2006, 12:58 AM
If I remember right the signal to the check engine light is a ground signal. So you should have a hot going to one side of the test light and the other side going to the signal wire to ground it.

WVRampage
06-11-2006, 01:21 AM
Can you check from the plug as I dont have a engine light in my car fro some odd reason since it has later electronics under the hood.

Darkwolf
06-11-2006, 01:50 AM
I tried at the plug just randomly picking stuff and nothing and even tried right off the computer on the wire going to the check engine light and couldn't get it to do anything. I've just decided to break down and spend the $30 for an obd1 chrysler code scanner.

WVRampage
06-21-2006, 02:11 AM
I tried at the plug just randomly picking stuff and nothing and even tried right off the computer on the wire going to the check engine light and couldn't get it to do anything. I've just decided to break down and spend the $30 for an obd1 chrysler code scanner.

How does the scanner work just wondering as im gona get one this week.

Darkwolf
06-21-2006, 03:23 AM
Hell if I know. The one I ordered was just a book telling you how to check the codes with the check engine light and what them mean. Lot of good that does me so I have to go through the hassle of sending it back. Where did you find one?

WVRampage
06-21-2006, 12:14 PM
Advance auto is supose to have one im gona go today and get it if they do.

Turbodave
06-21-2006, 01:41 PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OTC-2000_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43989QQihZ002QQite mZ4651478776QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

That will do the job and provide a bunch more diagnostic capabilities than your average code reader.

Darkwolf
06-21-2006, 03:19 PM
The one I got was from advanced :).

I've been checking ebay for the otc 4000 but didn't know about the 2000. Does it do everything the 4000 does or atleast the important things?

Turbodave
06-21-2006, 03:47 PM
The 2000 does a lot, it will pull codes, read all the sensors and actuate components. It's a little trickier to use and doesn't log data like the 4000, but it's still a very useful tool, well worth $50 if you've got a few turbo mopars.

WVRampage
06-22-2006, 01:00 AM
Yeah I checked advance today and no luck and all the ones they had just made the light flash so no good to us im gona check out the one on ebay.

WVRampage
06-22-2006, 11:45 PM
i think im just gona find the wire for the light and hook up a light to it any sugjestions.

butchsuppe
06-23-2006, 01:43 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OTC-2000_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43989QQihZ002QQite mZ4651478776QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

That will do the job and provide a bunch more diagnostic capabilities than your average code reader.
Thats a really good deal, I paid $866. for a used snap-on sanner, but I,m an auto mechanic by trade. Never used an OTC but heard good things about them.

Turbodave
06-23-2006, 05:53 PM
Thats a really good deal, I paid $866. for a used snap-on sanner, but I,m an auto mechanic by trade. Never used an OTC but heard good things about them.

The OTC 2000 is old technology and obsolete for most mechanics, but when your working on 20 year old cars it does just fine. It won't do OBD II or any of the other newer stuff, but works great for most 2.2 cars.