Pulling Check Engine Code?

[Ktreece777]

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

 

[gdolson]

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.

 

[crankbender]

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)

 

[Aikouka]

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.