how to read error codes?

i understand that with some vehicles there is a way to read the codes if somethign goes wrong with your vehicle, without taking it to have it done professionally. my 97' malibu wont start right now and i'd like to find out why. if anyone knows how to read the codes please let me know. i hope it doesn't have to do with the stock cd deck, because i got rid of that a long time ago.

You need a OBD II code reader. You can buy one for about 100 bux. Autozone will do it for free. Hope this helps.

Although checking codes won't really do you much good. Before buying a scanner you would be better off checking fuel psi and spark first.