Check Engine light and what scanner

[sparks1061]

Hi everyone,
3 days before I'm due to drive my explorer to Finland and the Check Engine light has just come on and stayed on!!
The local ford dealer can't look at it for at least a week, so thought I'd buy a scanner and check out the code myself, then maybe someone on here can tell me what the fault means so I know if I need to worry about it!
Now the question, I've seen on here that a 99 explorer needs a OBDII scanner, I have a european spec 97 model, does this need the same type of scanner?

Thanks people.

 

[Zulu95]

Check your drivers manual it should tell you for sure but I would think it has to be OBD II. The connector is hidden behind a small panel on the bottom of the driver's side dash. I bought the latest AutoX-ray scanner myuself. Tried a computer software type first but it would not talk to my Ford!

 

[Webster3]

I don't know if this is the same for 2nd gen, but with my 1st gen Explorer I can hook up a volt meter to the computer terminal and get the codes that way. My Haynes Manual had the procedure and a chart to interpret the codes... it worked great!

Ed

 

[sparks1061]

Thanks for the help, I found the connecter now just need to find a reasonable priced meter here in the UK,
Webster, was interested in your comments, but as I can't even get hold of a Hayes manual here in the UK a bit of a long shot!

 

[Webster3]

Originally posted by sparks1061
Thanks for the help, I found the connecter now just need to find a reasonable priced meter here in the UK,
Webster, was interested in your comments, but as I can't even get hold of a Hayes manual here in the UK a bit of a long shot!

Try Ebay. You may find one there! Good luck!

Ed

 

[Webster3]

Here is one cheap:

Explorer Haynes Manual on Ebay

Ed

 

[MrShorty]

The jumper wire + voltmeter method only works on OBD-1 equipped models. In the US, OBD-2 was required starting with the '96 model year. OBD-2 doesn't have any cheap DIY option for pulling trouble codes. Have to have some kind of scanner/code reader.

 

[Webster3]

That stinks. Oh well, maybe he may want to get a Haynes manual anyway... I love mine

Ed

 

[sparks1061]

Thanks for your help people,
However, It now appears I won't get any garage to even read the code for me before the weekend, and can't find a scanner that I can get delivered by the weekend,
So assuming I have to continue driving with the light on, and given that the car appears to be running perfectly normally at the moment, What are the chances of me getting to Finland (1200 Miles) without problems? and am I likely to do any damage if I continue driving with it on?
I'm also a bit confused as my hand book says that it will flash on and off for an engine managment fault but doesn't mention it being on all the time
Is there any way to reset it without a scanner? (Maybe jumping between 2 connecters on the plug?

Thanks

 

[Zulu95]

Haynes are or were printed in the UK.

 

[chadb]

Scanning codes

In the US you could just goto Shucks or an auto parts place like that and they will read your codes for free. I would write them down then do a little research. Codes don't always point to the exact problem.