The engine has a lot of working parts and after a certain point, there’s always going to be something that’s not working correctly. Because the problem can be something as minor as a periodic sensor glitch but also as serious as a transmission issue, not knowing for sure can cause a lot of anxiety. But how can you check the engine light codes without a scanner?
Unless your vehicle can display error codes on the driver’s dashboard or the central infotainment screen, there’s no way to read the codes without a scanner. However, the scanners are not nearly as expensive as you may think, so in this article, we’ll also cover the best scanner tools suitable for personal use.
If you’re driving a more modern vehicle, most engine problems will be displayed on the driver’s dashboard or the infotainment screen. To check the status of your vehicle, go into the diagnostics menu and run the scan. The vehicle will also do this regularly to inform you of an issue as soon as it appears.
Older vehicles have a series of warning lights to keep you informed of the more broad issues, but will rarely tell you what the exact problem is. You’ll have to use a scanner or inspect the system in question manually to find the problem and fix it. Your search can be greatly narrowed down if you know what the warning lights generally mean.
The check engine light has the widest range of potential causes, so it would be very difficult, if not impossible to find the problem without checking the error code. To do that, we’ll need a scanner, and in the next section, I’ll review the best-value options that will do the job.
| Title | Price | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Top | ANCEL AD310 Classic Enhanced OBD II Scanner Car Engine Fault Code Reader CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool-Black | Buy Now | |
Top | Autel AutoLink AL319 OBD2 Scanner Automotive Engine Fault Code Reader CAN Scan Tool | Buy Now | |
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Top | FOXWELL NT301 OBD2 Scanner Professional Mechanic OBDII Diagnostic Code Reader Tool for Check Engine Light | Buy Now |
Ancel AD310 classic scanner is the prime example of why you shouldn’t worry about buying an OBD2 scanner. For $35, you get an easy-to-use tool that will help you identify and clear codes, and save a lot on future visits to the mechanic.
It connects to the 16pin OBD2 port inside your vehicle and will only read engine codes – it cannot read ABS or transmission errors. Still, for such a low price, it’s well worth the investment and will pay for itself with a single successful scan.
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Autel’s OBD2 scanner is a solid alternative to the previously reviewed Ancel. It can read and clear codes, read live data, vehicle information, and freeze-frame status. With the price of $36, it’s just as cheap as the Ancel scanner, so you can choose freely between the two.
Autel can read emissions data, but there’s no indication that it can read ABS or transmission codes, so keep that in mind. Still, a 12-month warranty and free updates for a lifetime tell us that Autel’s OBD2 scanner is built to last and serve you reliably.
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Marketed as a professional mechanic’s OBD2 scanner, the Foxwell NT301 costs $55-70 depending on special offers. Like the other options, it allows you to read the VIN, engine warnings, O2 sensor status, and emissions, as well as reset warnings. Free lifetime updates and a 1-year seller’s guarantee are also included in the deal.
The added benefits of the Foxwell NT301 are the ability to monitor the evaporative system, air conditioning refrigerant, fuel system, and a few others which the previous two manufacturers don’t specify. If you want a more professional tool that will break your bank, choose the Foxwell NT301 OBD2 scanner.
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As you can see, for as little as $35 you can get a great scanner that will get the job done. In this section, I’ll explain how to use the scanner to identify and delete codes. The process is quite simple and the instructions provided with the scanner should give you an even better idea of how to do it.
Some warnings are not persistent on the dashboard and will disappear after you turn off the engine. The old trick with disconnecting the battery to clear codes doesn’t always work, so the only reliable way of clearing codes is to use an OBD2 scanner. Keep in mind that if the issue is not addressed, the error will pop up again.
Oil almost always has its own warning light that will come on if there’s a problem, but it’s also possible for it to trigger the check engine light.
Yes, you can. With a highly affordable OBD2 scanner like the Ancel AD310, you can read and clear engine-related error codes.
Not necessarily, as ECU units have internal memory that will preserve errors even if they lose power. If you want to ignore trivial problems that are causing the check engine light to come on, I suggest regularly diagnosing the vehicle to avoid neglecting a more serious problem.
We’ve covered different methods of resetting the check engine light on a Toyota Prius in this article, so I highly recommend checking it out!
There’s no way to check the engine warning lights without a scanner, but fortunately, they’re quite affordable and offer a lot of value. With less than $50, you can get a solid OBD2 scanner and avoid paying a mechanic to diagnose the problem for you.
You can check out these similar posts:
How To Reset Check Engine Light On GMC Sierra
What Do The Toyota/Lexus VSC Off And Check Engine Lights On Mean?
What Is A PCM On A Car?
