Here's a breakdown of how to check your Dodge Colt's engine light code, assuming the "usual" method failed:
1. Determine your car's OBD system:
* OBD-I (pre-1996): This is likely for older Dodge Colts. Diagnosing OBD-I is more complex and often requires:
* A multimeter: To check for voltage and resistance at specific connector pins. You'll need a wiring diagram for your specific year and engine to know which pins to test.
* A jumper wire: To create a ground connection at the correct pin to retrieve the diagnostic codes. The location of this jumper wire varies drastically between makes and models.
* A repair manual specific to your Dodge Colt's year and model: This is absolutely essential for OBD-I diagnostics. It contains wiring diagrams and code descriptions. You'll need to find the location of the diagnostic connector (often under the dash or near the engine bay fuse box) and the specific instructions to read the codes for your car. These codes are often blink codes - the check engine light will flash a specific sequence.
* Patience and electrical knowledge: Working with OBD-I is significantly more challenging than OBD-II.
* OBD-II (1996 and later): If your Colt is a 1996 or newer model, it likely uses OBD-II. This is far simpler:
* OBD-II scanner: This is the easiest and most reliable method. You can purchase a relatively inexpensive OBD-II scanner (often called a code reader) at most auto parts stores. Plug it into the OBD-II port (usually located under the dashboard) and it will read and display the trouble codes.
2. Locating the Diagnostic Connector:
* OBD-I: Refer to your repair manual. The location varies greatly.
* OBD-II: Usually found under the dashboard, often near the steering column. It's a 16-pin connector.
3. Interpreting the Codes:
Once you've obtained the codes (either through blinking lights or a scanner), you'll need to look them up. A repair manual is best, but you can also find code lookup charts online (search for "Dodge Colt OBD-I codes" or "Dodge Colt OBD-II codes" along with your year).
In short: If the simple key cycling trick doesn't work, buying an OBD-II scanner (if your car is OBD-II) is the easiest solution. For OBD-I Colts, you'll need a repair manual, multimeter, and possibly a jumper wire and a fair amount of patience and electrical knowledge. Without a proper manual for your exact year and model, correctly interpreting codes from a Dodge Colt's OBD-I system is practically impossible.
