engine codes

On the 99 windstar 3.8 how do you check the "check engine light" code without a computer code reader? I know that on other vehicles you can just turn the ignition key on then off then on or just put a jumper wire across two tabs that the computer code reader hooks to to get the light to blink the code. How is this done on the windstar? :dunno:

It cannot be done.

On Ford OBD1 systems there was a way to use a voltmeter on a connector under the hood and count pulses to determine engine codes. This is no longer the case on OBD2 compliant vehicles (96 and up). For OBD2 all of the manufacturers use a common connector and they can use one of 3 protocols.

Code readers are not too expensive and can be found for about $100. If you live in the US, Autozones can read your codes for free. I live in Canada and I ended up buying one myself. Alternatively you can buy cables and software online to use with a laptop. You can even buy plans to build the cable (with a small integrated circuit board) and simply buy the software and programmed gate array to decode the signals.

A CEL on a 99 Windstar 3.8 is not uncommon. There are at least 2 very common failures but I would not recommend "fixing" them until you know for sure what codes you are getting. If you go to Autozone ask for the raw code numbers and ignore any intepretation from the well meaning clerk. It seems like O2 sensors are blamed for codes that they themselves are not actually the root cause. Bring the codes and either search and/or post them here.

Thank's for the info.