The Central Hub for DSM Community and Information

For 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, and Galant VR-4 Owners. This is where the DSM platform history is documented and archived. Log in to help us in our mission, and to remove most ads from the browsing experience.

Pulling Check Engine Code?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Ktreece777

15+ Year Contributor
50
0
Jul 9, 2003
I have searched for it but no luck i have tried many diffrent key words too but anyways my 91 Talon Tsi will not start and i noticed the check engine light is on but how do i "Pull THe Code" as many are telling others in the threads
 
This procedure is described in the Haynes manual (worth getting!). If your car is like my son's '93 Eclipse 2.0 N/T, then there is a white connector under the dash to the drivers left side. I believe it is next to a fuse block. The manual says to use an analog voltmeter so you can see the "sweep" of the needle, but I used a good Fluke digital meter which has a bar sweep across the bottom of the display. Put your meter probes on Pin 1 (upper left) and Pin 12 (lower right) and turn the key to "ON" (it helps to have 2 people). The display will begin to sweep in sort of a "binary" code. I don't have the book but from what I remember, single digit numbers show up as fast sweeps (1 second), ie 3 would be 3 fast sweeps, 9 would be 9 fast sweeps, etc... If there are multiple codes there will be a long pause between them (maybe 3 seconds). For 2 digit codes, the first digit is represented by long sweeps (2 seconds). So a 24 would be 2 long sweeps followed by 4 fast sweeps, then a long pause.

This looked confusing in the book but it was really easy once I looked at it. It might be harder to pick out each code if there are multiple codes stored. Just keep watching the pattern, it will keep repeating.

Or...you could find a shop that can read these codes with a data-logger! (Most places only read '96 and newer ODBII vehicles)

Hope this helps.
 
you can also use an LED to check the codes instead of the meter. I may just make a bunch of these LED testers and sell them for like 4 bucks a piece.

here are the meanings of the codes.

Numeric Error Code Flash of LED Description of Error
11 L-P-S Heated Oxygen Sensor
12 L-P-S-S Volume Air Flow Sensor
13 L-P-S-S-S Intake Air temperature Sensor
14 L-P-S-S-S-S Throttle Position Sensor
15 L-P-S-S-S-S-S Idle Speed Control Motor Position Sensor (1.8L)
21 L-L-P-S Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
22 L-L-P-S-S Crankshaft Position Sensor
23 L-L-P-S-S-S Camshaft Position Sensor
24 L-L-P-S-S-S-S Vehicle Speed Sensor (reed switch)
25 L-L-P-S-S-S-S-S Barometric pressure Sensor
31 L-L-L-P-S Knock Sensor (only on 2.0L turbo)
36 L-L-L-P-S-S-S-S-S-S Ignition Timing adjustment signal (1.8L)
41 L-L-L-L-P-S Injector
42 L-L-L-L-P-S-S Fuel Pump
43 L-L-L-L-P-S-S-S EGR (California Models only)
44 L-L-L-L-P-S-S-S-S Ignition Coil, Ignition Power Transistor (2.0L)
 
Okay, sorry for reviving a semi-old thread, but I'm having problems pulling the error codes. I turned my car on today to go and get it inspected, and I noticed the check engine light was on, so I turned the car off. Well about 40 minutes later, I went to check my error codes using a test light. This test light has a clamp connector on one end and a screwdriver-like prod on one end. And in the grip is a light that will light up if it receives current (it will light up fully with 12v.) So I connect the clamp to pin 1 (upper left) and touch the prod end on ping 12 (bottom right). Then I turn the car to on, I hear the three beeps and just wait ... and wait ... and wait. But I get nothing. I even made sure everything (including the radio) was off.

I followed the Haynes manual exactly but I can never get it to work. Am I doing anything wrong?

EDIT: I uploaded a picture showing exactly what I'm doing. It was kinda of hard to get a good picture, but I hope it elaborates. Also, it kind of looks like I'm also touching the 11 pin, and I may have been when I took the picture. But, when trying to get the codes, I make sure that I'm only touching the 12 pin.
 

Attachments

You must be registered for see attachments list
Add Value - Be Respectful - No Trolling - No Misinformation - Participate Often!
Support Vendors who Support the DSM Community

Build Thread Updates

Latest Classifieds

Back
Top