You can read the codes without one of those things that you connect to it. You have to take a paper clip and put one end in the A and the other in the b, if its like mine it will be the top two all the way to the right. I have always used this method and found it to be very accurate. Once you put in the clip turn the key just till it unlocks, don't start it, you should hear your fan kick on and the check engine light should start blinking, one blink, then two faster blinks, it will repeat this 3 times, that means your car is in computer mode, and after the 3 twelves, it will start blinking the codes of the parts that are defective, once that is done it will go back to the 3 twelves, letting you know it is finished reading the codes. Take out the clip before you start it again. I believe that if you disconnect the battery cable it will clear the computer, so after repairs you will want to do this. Hope this helps, I am a single mom too.
Saturday, November 8th, 2008 AT 4:23 PM