check engine light is on

[lil'_big_truck]

i don't remember. I can take it back thursday and get the number. they read it for free.

 

[mixwell]

Damn there is pep boys right up the street from my work, didn't know they did free reads... O well I already purchased my cheap reader.

 

[bcost882]

the cheap reader will be invaluable to you and that reminds me of when i got the CEL and went to the autozone(lady that owns is ex-military and awesome at her job, i want to carry her around with me in my pocket) and i had a code for EGR overpressure that was a false alarm but still good for something to clean and take a look at. it is a oh s%&t moment but it usually will be a warning before anything is really broke. please don't be like my wife and put tape over it haha.

 

[lil'_big_truck]

please don't be like my wife and put tape over it haha.

haha. however tempting that is... I won't do that. haha

 

[modelageek]

the cheap reader will be invaluable to you

I agree with you

 

[lil'_big_truck]

ok so the exact code is: P1443 EVAP Purge Valve Fault. I went to O'Rielly's and got the valve for $25. I also reset the truck's computer so it should be fixed, i hope

 

[mrln1955]

Regarding the codes- many auto parts places will read the codes for free, they want to sell you the part to fix it. I think they can only read active codes, so if the CEL went out, I'm not sure if they can help. If you do any significant amount of work on your own vehicles, buy a scanner. Not an expensive one. I found a unit that runs off my laptop for about $90 at obdcom.com. works on almost all vehicles from 1996-2011. Not only gives you the codes, but real time sensor readings, and you can reset the codes. Not as fancy as the $1K+ professional models, but for a hobbyist like me, it's just what I need. Check the web, there are others out there as well, I am not trying to sell anything, this is just what I have. On the later Rangers, there is a whole bunch of stuff that can set the CEL beside emission readings- such as power steering pressure, transmission errors, etc.

I have a 2.5L 2000 Ranger (53,000 miles) and I am looking for a PC-based OBD scanner. How long have you had your unit from OBDcom.com and what is your current opinion?