GMC Repair: 1998 Chevy S-10 Blazer 4 door 4.3L auto, factory service manuals, 3l auto

Question
Hi,
Just wondering about an electrical issue. How do you read codes for my vehicle by using a paper clip? I don't want to do something wrong and fry the whole darn car or something. I just want to read the codes and see why the engine light is on, without having to pay up the you know what, just for some knowledge. Seems like diagnostic is the fiscally right way to go if you want to make money. It starts rough and runs a little better, but I think it needs a tune-up too(which doesn't seem so easy with all the room they give you under the hood!). I am very curious though, what codes it has stored in memory. Any ideas on what to do? Thank you.

Answer
You can buy a cheap CODE READER from any auto parts store for about $30.00. But once you get the code(s) of which there are approx 25 different codes, You need a book in order to tell you the meaning of the code(s) and the procedure to test various components in order to diagnose the FAULT which is making the CHECK ENGINE light illuminate on the dash.


The old paper clip method to display the codes on the newer vehicles is very very innacurate and can be very dangerous if you accidently connect the wrong pin connections together. Also trying to explain the sequence of how to raed the flashing CHECK ENGINE light patterns MUST be SHOWN to you and there is really no way to expalin it to you via this method of typing out the sequences.


Any auto parts store will be glad to plug in their scanner and extract the codes for you for free.

If your going to do your own work on this vehicle:


1. Buy a good quality scanner.

2. Purchase the original factory service manuals from HELMS CORPORATION for your exact type of vehicle. Yu can order them on the HELMS website.

Do NOT buy a CHILTONS or HAYNES or other GENERIC book as they are NOT specific to your vehicle.


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