Check engine light....

The check engine light has come on in my Honda Civic 2000. I know that any garage could use a scan tool but is there another way to access the code? Someone said some terminals or something could be shorted out and the code will begin to flash. Is this possible? What would be the most probable cause for the light to come on?
Thanks in advance

auto zone or just about any auto parts store can pull that code for you


gunnmen01