Does anyone have instructions on how to read the codes from the OBDII port,
without a scanner?

I read it somewhere but can't find it now.

somehow you use a test light and count the flashes?

thanks.

1998 Cherokee sport.

 

I know you can do it with an analog volt meter on OBD1, but I don't think you can with OBD2.

 

Use a code reader.

 

Head over to eBay and pick up an ELM327 BlueTooth module for cheap. Install the Torque (Free) app on your smartphone and shaboom! Done. Works on ANY OBDII vehicle. Allows you to clear codes too. I have used the snot out of mine on all my vehicles.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...reader&_sop=15

 

Thanks Diskman.

 

not sure if the cut-off year was 98 or 99.
my 97 does it, my 99 doesn't.

turn the key to on position 3 times, then stop on fourth.
the cel will flash and a number will show up on the odometer.

check those numbers on the interwebs.

 

Mid year 1997 was the cutoff for using the "key-on, key-off" technique.

After that, you'll need a code reader, a scan tool, or some other blue tooth application.

 

My 98,

If you hold the trip reset button while doing the key off /on it will run down the # series from 10, 9 , 8 etc.

but it doesn't give you any codes...

I reset mine by disconnecting the batt, and all has been good for weeks.

Going to Emissions this morning. I should be good to go.

that warning light would have been an instant fail.

 

problem is, obd stores codes.

as soon as they hook up their reader, your cleared codes will come up. may still fail.

here you can have 3 "not ready's" for my 99, and i think 98. but my 97 doesn't matter if cel is on or not as they test it two speed idle test.

but now i'm up north far enough, we don't do emissions testing.

 

Just buy one they are cheap and a lot to choose from.

 

I passed the test.

no codes were found.


I'm not sure what originally tripped the warning light in the first place...
But after I reset it/disconnected battery.... I also held the positive and negative battery leads together for 10 seconds.

I read somewhere that this will drain the juice from the magic widget that stores the codes..

Fred,
Yes I am gonna buy one. It's on the list...

Q: can I also use it on my wifes 2014 Jeep compass? is that OBDII also?

 

Doing this resets the jeeps 'adaptive memory'. It then 'learns' your driving style and adjusts accordingly.

 

Hope that light wasnt for something serious since now youll never know until it one say may come back when its too late

 

funny. i tried that with mine when i put a new battery in and it didn't pass.
drove it a bit and retested and still have too many "not readys".
maybe it's different here, but after some more driving, the cpu learned the sensors again and passed with flying colours.

but no worries for me now, i live in an exempt location.

 

Yeah we need about 250 km up here before the test and they say only 3/4 of a tank of gas for the evap. Mine gave me all readys after about 150km. Another trick is to have it warmed up before the test so the cats are at full temp and doing their job.