Check engine light is on, What what scanner to get?

I was on my way to change the oil to my shop when the check engine light came up, I just changed the oil and reset the oil warning light but the check engine light still don't go away, so I went to my fathers home and borrowed his cheap scanner but still the scanner don't show any codes, everything seems to be alright but the light is still on.
I went to advance auto and they want $25.00 for the scan and tell me what's wrong with the truck.
Seem like a good time to buy a scanner for myself, but certainly I don't know what to buy, right now, I don't need a scanner that can program the computer, down thew road I may need a better scanner, but for now just one that reads my truck codes so I know what's wrong and can clear the codes if needed.

Since my dads el cheapo scanner don't seems to work on my truck, please advise what scanner is capable of reading the codes in my truck and reset them, how much it costs and where I can get it, I don't want to spend a lot of money since I wasn't looking at buying a scanner right now, but seems I'll have to buy one.

Merry Christmas and thanks to all.

 

I was told most advances, autozonions, etc..... scan your car for FREE !!! and they did here in Shreveport La.

 

Every auto parts store I've ever been to reads codes for free.

If you want your own code puller, Scanguage II is good, Aeroforce Interceptor is awesome.

 

just did my sabaru at autozone yesterday - free

even had a sign in the window advertising free CEL scanning

 

You sure you reset the light correctly? It needs to blink 3 times and you need to turn the key to the off position and wait a minute. I always have to read the book to do it right. I forget parts of the sequence every time.

 

MSD dash hawk II can read and reset codes. it also can data log, real-time monitor like a bazillion things, etc. you can monitor up to 7 or 8 things per screen.

 

your getting robbed by your local autozone.

Is this common in DR? Seems cheap, here in the states all autozones do it for free, it's a service that gets them sales not pissed off customers

Good scanner tip in post above. I want to get that scanner for my Tacoma.

 

I got an app for that.....DROID DOES!!!!

 

Couple options....
Standalone scanner from AutoPartsStore. Make sure it can read CAN. About U$80. Only reads and resets codes.
USB OBDII adapter dongle. U$20 on Ebay. Software is free on Net. Reads tons of parameters etc. If you have a Droid or iPhone, get the Bluetooth version for U$30.
ScangaugeII. Search for info on here.
Dealer - U$90 to U$120 to read code.
Autozone et al - free read but they will try to sell you O2 sensors.

Fritz

 

The light just went out all by itself.

After it went off, I got the Craftman 87702 Can OBD2 Diagnostic Tool at the local Sears store, it was in sale 33% off and they also gave me a $15.00 gift card

The manual was very informative and answered most of my questions, seems that the code (P0420 retrieved by the scanner from the ECU memory) was triggered by the due oil change and after the required 2 trips of the corresponding monitor.
Seems that the condition that triggered the MIL wasn't present through 3 consecutive monitor trips and the light went off.

I'm glad I got this scanner, it helps me understand better my truck.

Thanks to all that replied.

Mandy

 

Probably not, but since it was almost 1 quart low, it got me thinking that maybe it was the low oil that triggered the condition who knows.

Also I've been noticing a small grunt lately, like a leak in the manifold or somewhere in the exhaust, so maybe it has something to do, I guess I'll find out soon enough.

 

If you have an Exhaust leak, mostly for sur it will triger the P0420 code... It did on mine!! I fixed it and the light is gone!!

 

420 and exhaust leak...... hahahha

 

Well you can say whatever you want but it's true... I'm not saying it's always the case but it was for my tacoma. It was a cheaper fix then changing both cat for 800$ each right???

 

420 . When that happens it's not uncommon to get smoke in the cab.

RZ Rob

 

I just got the 420 code on my truck. The guy at autozone said that bad fuel can also trigger that code. I turned my light off and it hasnt come back yet. but we will see.

 

It's possible, the P0420 code can light up if you are using gas that as more then 12% ethanol in or as less then 85 octane...

Also, you might wanna check for small exhaust leaks close to the second O2 sensor. I've resolved my problem by changing the gasket between the second cat and the extention pipe, the one right before the second O2 sensor. When you are driving at a constent speed, the flow can create a vacuum and pull fresh air from outside and will fals the reading of the sensor opening the check engine light.

So before anything, check for exhaust leaks by blocking the exhaust and check where air is coming out... specialy very small one neer the sensors!!

Let me know if it resolved your problem.