Test light

Tiny
MISBELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 MAZDA B2600
  • 2.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
When pulling the code from the truck listed above, will a regular DC test light work or does it have to be a LED test light? It should make no difference right?
Sunday, April 25th, 2021 AT 1:45 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
LED test lights didn't exist in the early '90s. There were some early Engine Computers that flashed diagnostic fault codes but weren't capable of driving an incandescent light bulb. Those specified the codes had to be read with a separate LED or with an analog voltmeter. Those are the old style with a pointer. Swings of the pointer were easy to see. You could do it with a digital voltmeter too since the flashes occurred slow enough for the meter to keep up. You just had to be sure to watch it closely to get the right results.

Here's a link to an article that spells out retrieving the fault codes on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/diagnostic-trouble-codes-for-1995-and-earlier-mazda-cars-obd1

With the method described, you don't need a test light. You watch the Check Engine light, same as on many other car brands at that time.
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Sunday, April 25th, 2021 AT 3:32 PM

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