How do I test for codes? (95 Aurora)

First time poster here. I was wondering if there is any way to test for codes in my Aurora using a paper clip, the Service Engine Soon light came on. I use to do it with my 91 Grand am. If it is possible please tell me where and how I can do this on my own. Also let me know of a place where I can read about what the codes mean if I find one. Thanks.

OBDI, probably will require a simple reader($99)and the FSM to translate. Forum member 'bustedratchet' could tell you for sure.

If it's GM1 you can jump pins A and B and watch the ses light flash sequence.

I used to do the same type of thing with an '89 Pontiac Grand Prix. You bridge two pins and the SES light flashes in sequence a number of times based on what code. I'm pretty sure the '95 won't do this unfortunately. I bought a scan tool off ebay for mine. Be sure you do some homework before you buy anything. The 95s have an OBD I computer with an OBD II connector.

Thanks for all of your input. I was also wondering if anyone knows where I can locate the meanings of the codes online? I have yet to check to see if the Paper clip will work on my 95, its snowing out right now and cold. I hope the paper clip will work to save some green.

For free? I doubt it. I've never heard of an online source.

I once found some of the more common ones for my 91 Grand am that I had online but that site was for Pontiac only. I thought maybe someone here might have heard of a site for Auroras. Maybe someday as they seem to be picking up in popularity on the web. Thanks for you info though.

I did find how to check my codes using the climate controls I think. It sounds like that might be for Cadilacs but I will find out in the morning after it quits snowing out. I found it in one of the forums that give excellent insite on the Northstar V8 engine.

Some of the parts houses will pull the codes for you with the proper tool ie scanner. Here in the south AutoZone will do it for no charge.Good Luck

The climate control sequence to display codes on the DIC does not work on Aurora's, Caddy only.

Some more bad news- the scan tool they have at Autozone is an OBD II scanner (they supposedly all have the same ones). It hooks up thanks to the OBD-II connector but doesn't read anything. My inner cheap bastard came out to play before I actually bought my scan tool...

I've never heard anyone else advertising that they will scan codes for free, but it might be worth some phone calls.

I found that Advanced Auto will scan codes for free but they also only had the OBD II scanner and it would not pull any code, it just got a read error. Oh well I guess I will just unplug the battery and then see if the SES light comes back on again and if it does I will take it to a fix it man. thanks

I have found out some interest facts while messing with the hotter and colder buttons for the climate controls and the buttons on the computer readout display. I can't remember which ones I hit but it was allowing me to adjust the temperature it was reading for outside the car, I guess in case if it is off a little a mech. can adjust it. Seems there might be some hope in finding out some other mechanic secrets by messing around with those controls. Maybe I will figure out how to access the codes, at least I can dream.

Holding Off and Warmer in a Caddy will get you some info but won't work here Killer. If it is the way dsatt12 is talking with the GM 1 PCM with the OBD II connector I don't think there $100 scanner is going to help. OBD II codes are standardized for all manufacturers and the old code set is manufacturer specific. That's probably the read error problem. You might be able to disconnect the battery and kill the light. But if the problem is still there and you complete the PCM's drive cycle it will come back on.

Unhooking the battery did not work so I took it in and found out it was the same code as last time but this time they could not clear it. It was a P0122 - the high side A/C switch was bad they said and replaced it. Ended up costing $137 with labor, parts and to evac the A/C and refill it. So it was not an easy fix that I could of done my self. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. Thanks for all your input. :)

Glad you got her fixed,,, sounds like OBD II codes to me you sure the code wasn't B0122 ?

You need to find out if your aurora is a OBD1 or 2. For instance my car is a 95 Aurora and it was an inbetween year between OBD1 and 2. So mine still uses the OBD1 protocol but it has the OBD2 interface. So for my car, there was no cheap way to get a scan tool. I went out and bought a snap on tester for $500. (A little pricey.) But it scans everything and just displays right on the screen what is wrong with the car. No counting lights and having it just give you a vague description. This thing spells out what is wrong and then tells you how to fix it. But if yours is a 96 or newer, then you can just buy a cheapo OBD2 scanner at like Autozone.

According to the shop that fixed it they said it is exactly like dmorlow situations. My Aurora is a 95 and uses OBD2 connection but has a OBD1 interface. They showed me the code and what it was in a book they had and I am pretty sure that it was a P0122 code. Although from time to time I have been known to be wrong.