Ford Repair: not quite electrical, electrical questions, there some sort

Question
I understand you don't tackle electrical questions. [Don't
blame you.] --But I'd like to learn as much about why
my check engine light variously goes on. Q: IS THERE SOME
SORT OF WEBSITE OR PUBLICATION FOR DUMMIES I CAN GO TO? The
light is driving me nuts, and it think the "techs" I go to [Ford and otherwise] are spinning stories that'll just fleece me of my wallet. "Oh! It could cost as much as $400 to fix that thing." I think either they really don't know ... or know more than they're telling me. I'd rather invest in a book. What do you think/ Thanks, --Max

Answer
Max-

  Well, what you'll really need is a code scanner.  They range in price from fairly cheap to ridiculously expensive, but all of them can tell you what trouble codes your computer is showing to cause the check engine light.  Most scanners also come with a booklet that will tell you what the codes mean and (sometimes) what generally causes the code.  Hope this helps.

Steve