auto mechanics:invest in code reader?

[escavader]

Since we can ask almost anyting here on rural living:
My old Dodge car is on the fritz again.Ive changed about every part imaginable over the years.Im a pretty good tinkerer ,but Ill admit sometimes i throw the wrong parts in at times.What I want to know would one of those inespensive code readers be a good investment? Right now im looking at a towing fee to get it somewhere to check to see if any code comes up,thought the reader might be something to buy now.I probably wont have the car in another year,but i just put 500 in it to get an inspection sticker.Will this car a 94 dodge spirit take the same reader as my 98 jeep cherokee? I plan on keeping it around its mint condition with low miles.THANKS in advance
ALAN

 

[Tig]

After 1996 all cars/trucks sold in North America must conform to the a flavour of the OBD standard. A code reader is handy but not always essential. On your 94 Dodge spirit just turn the ignition on three times within a couple seconds but do not start the car. (Jeep may be the same since it is a Chrysler) Leave the ignition on and the dash lights will flash the codes to you. You can look them up on the net. I'll post some links when I dig them up.

 

[Tig]

The dash (service engine light) will flash two digits codes at you with a short pause between the two digits. There will be a longer pause in between sets of digits.
The sequence will begin and end with the same code. (I think it is 1 5)
So you can expect to see something like.
flash, pause, flash, flash, flash, flash, flash, long pause flash, flash, flash, pause, flash, flash, long pause, flash, pause, flash, flash, flash, flash, flash.
So that would be 15 32 15. The only trouble code posted would be 32.
You will no doubt see a few code. I usually do on my vehicles.
Post the codes here and I will help you look them up.

 

[Ifixcars]

Usually once you get the code number, you have to acquire the diagnostic procedure for that number. Some of the readers give the code number only, some give a code definition too. I guess it depends on how much you spend. Some shop techs use them to get a head start on diagnosis, if the shop scanner is being used by someone else. Most well equipped shops have the diagnostic info on computors now. Most homeowners don't. Sometimes the pulled code w/definition leads to a straightforward fix, sometimes it doesn't. Your 94 spirit will have the old style chrysler connector under the hood, it is different than your 98 Jeep, which is OBD2, under the dash. There are some cheap OBD code readers out now, but I don't think they will do both. You will have to spend more to hook up to both cars.

 

[DieselPower]

Scanners can be a blessing or a curse to a non electronic engine tech. Sometimes the code you get is easy to diagnose while other times it can leave you pulling your hair out trying to find the problem (trust me on this one, I have been a mechanic for years and don't have alot of the hair stuff left ).

On the bright side code scanners are rather cheap now and some of the better ones (home mechanic type that is) even come with a diagnostic's database in them to help you diagnose the problem.

Depending on your understanding of vehicle electronics has alot of bearing on how effective the scanner is.

The first thing I would do is buy a Chiltons manual for your vehicle. It will describe all the codes and how to retrieve them without a scanner as well as what they mean and the basic principals of each components operation.

 

[DieselPower]

Well it looks like there are a few of us mechanics here. Like Tig said, if you can get your codes post them here and we will be happy to help.

 

[escavader]

After 1996 all cars/trucks sold in North America must conform to the a flavour of the OBD standard. A code reader is handy but not always essential. On your 94 Dodge spirit just turn the ignition on three times within a couple seconds but do not start the car. (Jeep may be the same since it is a Chrysler) Leave the ignition on and the dash lights will flash the codes to you. You can look them up on the net. I'll post some links when I dig them up.

WOW THATS TOUGH TO READ!!
I have a hard time telling a short pause from a long,or when to write when not any advise here?Are they always ...say a number of flashes ,pause and another number of flashes thus this is one code?Whats the trick to reading these?
Well heres a little bit,
3flashes pause5 flashes
5 flashes 5 flashes
5 flashes pause 2 flashes
i probably didnt read it correct,there was alot more i couldnt keep up!!!
I have a haynes manuel on the car,there must be a page of codes in there ill check.
ALAN
PS more flashers reading code on this junk,then on my xmas tree!

 

[escavader]

DUMB Question,but can i tape it with my video camera and post it here on this thread,so you guys can read it?
ALAN

 

[Tig]

Hmmm, my personal library isn't as good as I thought for the Spirit.
Here is the interpretation for a full size Chrysler (93 - 97 as per Haynes), It should be the same but it would be nice to get a consensus from other sources. The start end code of 15 that I mentioned earlier is not for a Chrysler so nevermind that bid of mis-information.
3flashes pause5 flashes, 35 Open or shorted condition detected in the radiator fan low speed relay circuit.
5 flashes 5 flashes, 55 Completion of fault codes. This is the end of the display sequence.
5 flashes pause 2 flashes, Oxygen sensor signal input indicates rich fuel/air ratio condition during engine operation.
I hope this helps.

 

[Tig]

DUMB Question,but can i tape it with my video camera and post it here on this thread,so you guys can read it?
ALAN

Sure, that would be fun.
By the way DieselPower mentioned the Chilton manual. I prefer them to the Haynes.
Worst problem I had on my 96 Intrepid caused all sorst of grief. Engine would stumble or quit, or not start, accesories not working right, dash going whacky. I think the tranny even shifted bad. It was the ignition switch in the steering column. There's no code for that.