I had the Check Engine light come on while driving the Dodge (1998 Dodge Dakota 3.9 V6 2WD) to work this morning. I've owned the truck for just over a year now and have had no CEL problems. Since the newest vehicle I've ever owned before the Dodge was my SD I have no code reader.

What code reader do I need? I looked it up and looks like an OBD II but when I look that up I get hundreds of different products. Does anyone have any suggestions on what reader to buy?

I'm not sure I can justify buying a fancy code reader since the Dodge is the only car that would use it... but I don't like buying junk ether.

THANKS!

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Why not just have AutoZone or one of the other McParts stores read the code for you (for free)? They are less likely to reset it for you these days, but you can at least find out what's causing the CEL.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

I overheard a conversation at my local AutoZone where the manager was explaining some new corporate policy not to read codes in CA.... sure its some legal BS.

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Yeah, they told me they no longer do it for liablility reasons. :/

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Think about this. I read the codes and then I sell you the parts. Could look like I am trying to pad my wallet. Also, what if there are problems? What if the part I sold you doesn't fix the thing? Am I to blame?

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Huh... ours won't reset codes for you (not officially, anyway), but no mention of not being able to even read them. Do they rent tools in CA? I can imagine that's a liability issue as well. Sheesh...

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

If all you need is the code read, most small shops will do it for a very nominal fee and will many times point you in the right direction.

Sometimes you can score a nice code reader for little cash at the local pawnshop, most will let you try it out on your own car to make sure it works.

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"I was a dirty bird, Carol's not grungey - she's *****in" John Milner....American Graffiti

I have one from MAC tools. I got it from a buddy that upgraded. It will erase codes and has been handy as hell.

I grabbed one of those $20+ dollar USB connectors off of ebay. Reads/resets codes and the included program can monitor stuff of the onboard stuff like O2 sensor voltage and the like.

They rent tools, there's no liability for them if you break your own junk.

Buy one that can read/reset the lights. Cheapo ones usually can not reset codes.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Auto X-ray

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

This guy?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270656038504#vi-content

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Pretty much. Thing is you don't want a cheap reader. You also want something like this that will give you some live data so you can make sense of it.

For instance, when it said I have O2 sensors reading lean, I can see the other values and deduce that they are lean because of this, that or the other.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Generic OBD code readers only show you the lowest common denominator code, whereas make specific software and readers will go well beyond generic and, like the multi-thoussand dollar Mercedes system, can actually test the suspect part while still attached to the car. The difference between the readers could mean hundreds or thousands in parts and labor.

Having a generic reader is fine, but understanding its limitations before buying some hugely expensive replacement part or assembly should be considered.

Perfectly spoken. I'm not sure that we could afford to the get the multi thousand dollar SDS for just fixing one car but as they say, "You got the money, honey, I got the time.". Probably have to get it on a 5 fingered discount or if the company that has it goes belly up and the techs are selling it off.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow