Retrieving Codes

I need to do a scan on my 97 plymouth voyagers ecm my question is how do i scan my ecm with out using a scanner someone told me to use a paper clip but i want to be sure this is safe i dont want to burn my ecm. my engine light is on and i think it might be because the fan relay is not working cause my fans wont come on and my air conditioner isnt working either just blows warm air. If anybody knows how to retrieve these codes i would appreciate any help. Thanks FrankC :disappoin

You can get some basic codes by using the ignition switch. Turn the key on and off three times on the third time leave the key on and the check engine light should flash. Count the number of flashes. 55 means no additional codes. To properly scan the computer however you will need to get an OBDII scanner. If you take it to Autozone they will scan it for free as long as the CEL is currently on.

Gtp DAD i tried that and the light went off there were no flashes but when i start the van up the engine light is on. I guess i will buy a scanner so i could read the codes. is there a diffrent way or maybe did it wrong i will try it again. Thanks

The following link details how to get the codes for the newer odbII (96+) cars. About the middle of the page, look for "odometer", and "hold and reset".

http://www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html

Thanks yogi i will try this tommorow hopefully i can figure out whats wrong with this van. Thanks FrankC

Ok i did the trip reset button trick to read codes know it showed 999 and the check 1 and check 2 and finally check 3 and then it just went back to trip and did not show any other codes so i tried 3 times and all it did was the same thing. but my engine light is still on. I also checked my temp sensor unpluged it and my fans came on but when i plug it back in they dont run. so i think it is either the fan relay or temp sensor. any ideas would help if anybody knows what it could be. Thanks FrankC

push comes to shove, you can always go to autozone and have them pull the codes for you, it's free.

I ordered a ob2 code scanner yesterday, i always workin on cars so i will add it to collection of tools and if anybody comes around and needs me to read codes on there car i will charge them $5 and just make my money back on it.

Ok i got my code scanner and i connected it to my van and has 3 codes one is fan relay, temp sensor and oxygen sensor. So now i know why my fans dont work and i didnt know the oxygen sensor was no good. This code scanner is great now when cars come to my garage i will be able to connect the scanner and pin point the problem instead of guessing. I would like to thank all of you who helped this forum is a great help. Thanks FrankC