Automotive engine code reader question

[AJMD429]

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The first time I attempted to repair an automobile was when I was 17, and I tried to tighten the alternator belt on a 63 Impala. I managed to break off the lug at the engine block. So instead of pursuing a career in auto mechanics, I decided to work on people Instead ( usually with people, when you’re twisting something that’s about to break, they holler at you and let you know… )

Anyway, our vehicles are both Hondas, a 2007 and a 2010 Civic. Unfortunately, the lifelong friend who kept our cars in working order passed away, and it seems like the dealers make everything overly complicated and the other people I know who work on cars nearby are much more limited in what they are interested in doing, so if nothing else, I at least need to be able to figure out what may be going on before I try to figure out which person to have fix it.

My check engine light went on a ways back, and one of the local folks looked at it, and it was some sort of emission thing that isn’t important to repair from a safety or functional standpoint, and isn’t required to repair in Indiana. However, he didn’t turn the engine check light off, and it has remained on. I figure it would be a good idea to turn it back off, and I think I have found on the Internet how to do that. However, that got me thinking and wondering if getting one of those engine diagnostic code readers would be worthwhile.

If so, any kind or specific ones to get or avoid…?

[Grizz]

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The first time I attempted to repair an automobile was when I was 17, and I tried to tighten the alternator belt on a 63 Impala. I managed to break off the lug at the engine block. So instead of pursuing a career in auto mechanics, I decided to work on people Instead :shock: ( usually with people, when you’re twisting something that’s about to break, they holler at you and let you know… :lol: )

Anyway, our vehicles are both Hondas, a 2007 and a 2010 Civic. Unfortunately, the lifelong friend who kept our cars in working order passed away, and it seems like the dealers make everything overly complicated and the other people I know who work on cars nearby are much more limited in what they are interested in doing, so if nothing else, I at least need to be able to figure out what may be going on before I try to figure out which person to have fix it.

My check engine light went on a ways back, and one of the local folks looked at it, and it was some sort of emission thing that isn’t important to repair from a safety or functional standpoint, and isn’t required to repair in Indiana. However, he didn’t turn the engine check light off, and it has remained on. I figure it would be a good idea to turn it back off, and I think I have found on the Internet how to do that. However, that got me thinking and wondering if getting one of those engine diagnostic code readers would be worthwhile.

If so, any kind or specific ones to get or avoid…?

at this point i would go to a parts store and buy something that looks suitable. i have one that interfaces with a phone, and i dislike it because the software assumes i want it eating up my battery 24/7 whether it's being used or not. so X there.

I had one that i gave away. it was cheap and would turn off the nag light and also list the nag codes.

the one have is wired into the scan port of whichever vehicle i'm using and amounts to engine gauges that let me monitor the running conditions, way over kill and expensive for your needs. indispensable for mine.

you could browse amzn and read up on the 1 and 2 dot reviews. if those are people complaining about the size or color or smell of what they bought look for the cheapest one that doesn't require a phone, and that averages above 80 % approval. send it back if you don't enjoy beta testing foreign electronics.

the ones i've experienced are a little obtuse from the function category. cascading function lists, kind of like dos screens. :roll:

[gcs]

Black electric tape turns those lights off, lol

[rossim92]

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The first time I attempted to repair an automobile was when I was 17, and I tried to tighten the alternator belt on a 63 Impala. I managed to break off the lug at the engine block. So instead of pursuing a career in auto mechanics, I decided to work on people Instead ( usually with people, when you’re twisting something that’s about to break, they holler at you and let you know… )

Anyway, our vehicles are both Hondas, a 2007 and a 2010 Civic. Unfortunately, the lifelong friend who kept our cars in working order passed away, and it seems like the dealers make everything overly complicated and the other people I know who work on cars nearby are much more limited in what they are interested in doing, so if nothing else, I at least need to be able to figure out what may be going on before I try to figure out which person to have fix it.

My check engine light went on a ways back, and one of the local folks looked at it, and it was some sort of emission thing that isn’t important to repair from a safety or functional standpoint, and isn’t required to repair in Indiana. However, he didn’t turn the engine check light off, and it has remained on. I figure it would be a good idea to turn it back off, and I think I have found on the Internet how to do that. However, that got me thinking and wondering if getting one of those engine diagnostic code readers would be worthwhile.

If so, any kind or specific ones to get or avoid…?

Even if you erase the code and get the check engine to go out, unless you fix the problem, it will come back on eventually.

[Rockrat]

Take the battery cable off, let sit for 5 min, and re-attach. Code should have been cleared.

[jkbrea]

I bought a Harbor Freight OBD reader. I've used it dozens of times and it works pretty good. Some auto parts stores do will do it for free.

[wecsoger]

Ditto on the Harbor Freight reader, basic, but does give you a rough idea what's going on. They got one on sale now at $30, that's what I have.

Majority of alerts are like the Pirates Code, it's not hard and fast, more of a guideline. (grin) But annoying when on.

If flashing though, you gots issues. Get that looked at by someone with a clue.

Get the reader, make note of the code, clear it. That'll give you an idea of importance. You can make a decision from there how to handle

Seriously, the newer cars will throw a code if the gas cap is not tightened.

[jeepnik]

Most dash displays are woefully short on information. Probably because most drivers have no idea what the operating parameters of their vehicle are.

I installed a Scan Gauge II. IT plugs into the OBD port and provides much more information plus it tells you what the codes are and resets warning systems.

Not exactly cheap, but if you tow or go off-road or otherwise use a vehicle for more than getting groceries it can pay for itself in short order.

[Griff]

My son bought an OBD reader, unfortunately I don't remember which one. I probably use it more than he does. My 2003 Silverado 1500 started having the check engine light come on, I connected the reader and it told me it was the MAF sensor. I read up on how to clean it, turned off the code and did the truck's first tune-up (50,000 miles), and it took several months for the check engine light to come back on. Same code, so I cleaned the sensor again, turned off the code. The next time I drove the truck it came back on. I checked again, same code, cleaned the sensor again. Again, a few months later it came back on. Went thru the same sequence, and again, a few months later the code was back. Did that a few more times, but last year I filled the tank with medium grade gas and changed the air filter. I'd been running the 87 octane stuff, now I only use the 89 octane stuff, and the code hasn't come back in over a year. Luckily, the same reader can work my son's Ford Ranger, and my K30 diesel Silverado. Too bad it won't work on my Kenworth... on it I have to flip a switch, turn the key off, back on and count the flashes, then call the dealer to tell me what the code is for.

[marlinman93]

OBD readers are a great thing to have these days, even if you can't fix what it tells you is wrong. And often it's not specific enough to really tell exactly what's wrong. It at least keeps you from having to drive to the chain auto parts store for a free reading.
These days OBD readers are very cheap too, and for under $20 you can get a great reader. I bought one to have in my tuneup kit, and got another for my granddaughter to use in her car since she likes to do some things on her cars. Both are different brands, but also work equally well. They're a tool that anyone can learn to use easily once you read the instructions and follow prompts. Warnings that come up or error codes can be canceled, but if the problem doesn't get fixed they'll pop up again. So you can't pelosi off codes, just temporarily delete them.