How to Scan Your Car for Diagnostic Trouble Codes

If you see a "check engine" or a "service engine soon" light in your instrument cluster; your car has stored a diagnostic trouble code. This means the computer system on your vehicle has detected a problem with the various systems it controls. Your car has many different sensors that monitor the various vehicle systems. If the trouble code light has been illuminated your vehicle enters into "limp mode" this means it is running on a predetermined program that causes poor mileage and increased emissions. An engine trouble code reader is an easy to use tool. All 1996 and newer vehicles utilize a "D" style plug-in connector that connects to the code reader. On most vehicles the connector is located at the driver's compartment. Once the code reader is plugged in you can retrieve trouble codes the engine computer has stored in its memory. These codes are the same codes the dealer and repair shops use to replace sensors and clear codes. This video contains basic a testing procedure using an automotive trouble code scanner as a code retrieval tool. Correct computer system function is essential for your car's engine to operate properly. Many engine run-ability problems can be related to a weak or failing sensor producing a diagnostic trouble code. Problems can range from hard cold engine starting, low power and stalling while driving. This video contains visual information designed to aid a trouble codes retrieval test using a engine code scanner.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• auto
• repair
• car
• diagnostic
• troube
• code
• check
• engine
• light
• odb
• II

[DeeeJayThrash]

fix the problem then disconnect the battery for about 30 min worked for me.

[RunscapeHK]

pleas can you tell me the name of the Scanner the shows whats wrong with the cars!

Pleas Pm Me Back!

Thank you.

[chaconmcfly]

Damn, scanning your car in the USA is usually free at AutoZone, In here in Mexico, they charge me 60 dollar for scanning. And sometimes they don't even know what it means because they don't know how to read english and I have to be googling the problem myself. Aint't that a bitch?

[greenfeld5]

@DeeeJayThrash  thank .this good tip

[wickedclown2377]

in the newer model to reset the trouble codes it wont work to disconnect the battery the codes are store in the pcm memory bank

[ralphgo69]

no ,if your disconnect the battery sometimes mybe erase the codes  but so the think is your need to use the scann for apropiate erase the codes .................

[dawn200128]

@Knifed all 96 and newer cars sold in the usa have to have obd2 where a generic scan tool has to work on it.

[dawn200128]

@DeeeJayThrash sure ok, but how do you know what the problem is?????