1998 BMW M3 Check Engine Light

Engine Mechanical problem
1998 BMW M3 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 160k miles

My check engine light has recently come on. I tried erasing the stored code by pulling the positive on my battery for a few seconds. Check engine light remained on directly at start up. I was wondering if there is a way to get the codes from the Data Link Connector without having a Peake or OBD or other diagnostic tool. I have a suspision that this is possible, because unknown by many, I know a way of simply reseting the oil service and inspection service lights without having a tool at all. Just some common things I could find around the house.
There must be a way. I'm thinking that if you ground a certain terminal (or several) in the data link connector and then turn the ignition to position 2 that the check engine light will blink a series of codes with pauses, short blinks, and long blinks or something to that affect. What are your thoughts?
Also, my car has been sucking down more coolant then usual, maybe this will help.
Thanks!