Whats the best bang for the 'low' buck check engine light reader? What do you guys use? I am getting tired of going to Autozone to get my CEL read every few weeks. I am thinking about something less than $40-$50. Is there any that meets this range?

I am no interested in the iphone app and bluetooth app ones. I want one that is stand alone, if I am on the side of the road, I can check it really quick and dont have to figure out the connection to any new cell phone that I have.

 

Just jump the service connector and read the code off the CEL. 94

 

i think some later models only have the OBD2 connector. pins 8 and 13 can be jumped to the same effect though.

 

 

I think I spent $35 for one of these

 

Bluetooth adapter and android/ios app

 

yea, he said he was not interested in those.....

 

why do you get a check engine light that often that you need to keep a code reader on hand?

 

Thanks guys. I ended up ordering the Autel MaxiScan MS300 fro $18.50. I see it has some decent reviews for the low price.

I have 4 cars in my household, with lots of friends and family. My BMW turns out to be 'not as economical' as my Hondas. That thing is always throwing a code for one thing or another, with intermittent issues that I haven't gotten around to fixing as yet. Luckily, its my extra car. The CEL in my 94 Accord has probably only came on twice (or handful of times) in my 12 years of ownership. The code reader doesn't work on my 94 Accord tho. Being a Honda owner, there is no need to own a code reader, but owning a BMW, I get tired of autozone people telling me that I have transmission issues because of their lack of knowledge.

 

I get the retarded* P0420 periodically, and use the code reader to verify that it is something that can be safely ignored and clear the code. That's why I keep a code reader handy. It's also helpful to be able to tell coworkers if they can go home or should go directly to a mechanic.

*And yes, it is absurdly retarded that a component that has nothing to do with the engine can trigger a check engine light.

 

I always stick going to auto zone. Cant beat free

 

It has not officially been called a "check engine light" for almost 2 decades.


Its absurd that people still refer to it as such.....

 

Check engine light, malfunction indicator light, tomato, tamato. Either way it has become part of the English vanacular as such. And plus why not call it that as it does show an engine, some models say "check" underneath and it's lit. Makes sense to me. Also it's called that in the service manual as well so I guess at least for Hondas it is called a check engine light.



Earlier I suggested a Bluetooth adapter and mobile app because A)basically it's the cheapest method you generally can use, B) just as easy to use as a scanner, plug it in turn on app press check engine button on the phone C)apps are generally free, D)most show live data feed which many cheap plug in devices don't, E)some even offer online data logging. Take for instance you have a check engine light, you plug it in, and pull a system too lean code. Just the device itself won't really help you diagnose the code. One of the items you'll need is to monitor the 02 voltage, which cheap scanners generally won't do.

On another note the check engine light on Civics and Integras will show transmission codes because the TCU is incorporated into the ECU itself so it only makes sense to display codes with the same light and in some cases engine malfunctions will cause transmission issues as in TPS issues can cause shifting issues on autos.

 

 

 

It is no longer referred to as a check engine light (in the industry)because its illumination encompasses much more than engine failure, and "check engine" light was deemed a misnomer.
That service manual you referenced is over 20 years old. Honda does not refer to it as a check engine light any longer. They,along with all other manufactures, began calling it a Malfunction Indicator Lamp with the advent of OBD2

Agreed.

 

I bought a Mac tools basic reader ran ms $50 not sure what the part # was but can loop it up if your interested?

 

I get what you're saying but I'm pretty sure the majority of those who speak english in the world will never call it anything but a check engine light. Here's a funny

 

LOL

 

That was funny ^