Engine codes from dash
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 211
Likes: 1
From: West Palm Beach FL
Engine codes from dash
Have intermitent check engine light. Would like to know what computer code has been triggered before I take to dealership. Is there a way to get off of dash?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Not exactly.....you need to get one that is CAN enabled. Actron is fairly popular, sold at most auto parts stores and Sears. You can get just a reader that gives you the code and you have to then go look up what the code means in a paper pamphlet or online for upwards of $45. Or you can get a little more exotic with one that tells you in English what the code means for maybe $75+. Then there are more feature filled beyond that but not likely anything you will need or be interested in. There are many brands besides Actron that just seems to be the one that shows up here most often. 
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Bloomingdale IL
If there are Autozone parts stores near you, they will use their code reader and tell you what the codes are for free. This is a quick way to find out and you can research readers later if you want to buy one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 9
From: CA
Freaking annoying as hell too.
I hate being treated like a child.
I'm the driver and I should know the condition of my vehicle and it should be no damn secret code but a plain english display in the car.
I keep the code reader in the car, but that isn't going to be helpful when you have things going wrong on the freeway and you need to make some decisions about it.
I hate being treated like a child.
I'm the driver and I should know the condition of my vehicle and it should be no damn secret code but a plain english display in the car.
I keep the code reader in the car, but that isn't going to be helpful when you have things going wrong on the freeway and you need to make some decisions about it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Yeah, they took that capability away from us even though the C-6 has a faster comm rate and more information flying through the computers. I can only imagine one reason for GM to do this and that's to force us to go to the dealers more. Most of the code readers out there commercially available, won't read BCM codes and etc...just the ECU/PCM codes.
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