OBDII Code Display

Just a quick question to anyone who knows. I have a 1997 4.0 SOHC Explorer, U.K. spec. It has OBDII system diagnostics. Is it possible to get it to flash the codes at you via the dashboard, or do I need a code reader? Everything I have read so far tells me I need to use a reader, and as we have nowhere to get them read for free in the U.K. it's probably going to cost me.
Cheers,
Stuart.

Just a quick question to anyone who knows. I have a 1997 4.0 SOHC Explorer, U.K. spec. It has OBDII system diagnostics. Is it possible to get it to flash the codes at you via the dashboard, or do I need a code reader? Everything I have read so far tells me I need to use a reader, and as we have nowhere to get them read for free in the U.K. it's probably going to cost me.
Cheers,
Stuart.

No, OBDII will not flash at you - it takes a reader.

You may want to check ebay or a similar euro website, and buy one. Last I looked, a simple OBDII reader for a Ford was 40.00 U.S. or so.

That way you will have it for future check engine lights.....

Another option is computer software for real time analysis ( check Auterra and others) which you can do a lot with. Close as you can come to having a shop engine analyzer.

Thanks for the info.