Check Engine-OBDII question fm Newbie

[TPL96]

Greetings everyone. Brand new to the forum. Looks like tons of great info.

I've got a 96 Limited 5.0 AWD. 77K miles and runs great. Check Engine went on the other day and is still lit after 6 or so cycles. It seemed like the engine stumbled for a few seconds after startup. However it seems to run fine.

I had one of the O2 sensors changed about 4 years ago, last time check engine light was on.

Rather than pay the dealer $100+ just for diagnosis, I'd rather spend the money on a scan tool or perhaps convert my laptop into a scanner but don't know how.

Any suggestions on best, least expensive device is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[mnealuf]

Local autozones will scan it for free. Their scan tools are not nearly as good as the dealer ones but it is free.

 

[Turdle]

Davis Carchip has been very useful to me

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Any suggestions on best, least expensive device is greatly appreciated.

Harbor Freight Tools has a code reader on sale until Sept 11 for 39.99. Item #46030.

It won't give the information a scanner will, but it'll read basic codes.

 

[aldive]

If you are going to invest in a tool, I highly recommend a scanner rather than a code reader; much more useful tool.

Good luck ....