Read trouble codes without code reader?
 

My buddy, who is a member here, discovered yesterday that he can get the codes off his 01 2500 without using a reader/scanner. Cycle key off and on 3 times and it shows the codes in the odometer display. I find this very cool and useful, kinda like the old obd1 where ya could use a paperclip to make it flash the codes out on the CEL. Never knew it could be done like this til now.

Problem is, it doesn't work with my 98 :(
Is there another way or some other sequence to do this with my truck?

Do you have a digital trip/miles?

no, but I have a digital trip/KILOMETERS display lol.... :icon_hyper:

That is how I read codes on my 95

what do you do? just the 3 on/off cycles or something different? I'm goin out now to play around with it.... if you can do it on your 95 and he can do it on his 01, surely I can do it smack dab in the middle......

I just cycle the ignition on/off 3 times

I tried everything I could but nothing... But here's the thing... My check engine light is not actually on right now, it comes and goes ever since I got the truck. I figured it would have trouble codes stored in the computer. Does it do anything at all if the CEL isn't currently on? I kinda hope it comes back on soon, I am curious as hell to see if this works, and I've been wanting to know why its coming on in the first place.

I can do it to mine even if the light is not on.

well thats strange then..... anyone with a 98 that can confirm this works? I imagine it should...

My 98 CEL is on but when i do the on-off it runs a diagnostic of the instrument panel. Gauges move, odometer checks it's LED, panel lights come on but no code(s) show up. My engine runs rough and misses.