jumping to read trouble codes

i used to have a saturn that you could jump the computer to read the trouble codes that would flash the ses light. is there a way to do this on a 97 metro 1.3l.

On that model I believe you will need an OBDII scanner. On older models there is an empty fuse slot in the fuse block where you simply put in a fuse and it flashes the codes. I'm not sure if it exists on 96 up.

You will have to get a free scan at a parts store. Be sure to get the code which would be for example............

P0123

Post the code here before buying parts.

the code is p0303. it said the 3rd cylinder is misfiring. they said it could be a wire or maybe it needs the coil replaced. it is not the wires i checked them and just replaced them in june of this year. and if it is the coil just wondering how much they go for. just lookin for some more ideas.

Always start with the cheapest option. You could have a fouled spark plug. Also don't assume anything. You could still have a bad wire example: I bought a new set of wires for an escort once. A few days later I had a bad misfire and assumed everything but the wires. Wait until its dark out and rev the engine a bit and look for an arc. You could probably notice it in the day too. I would bet on the spark plug though. It's very common especially if you have mileage above 100k. Good luck and be sure to let us know what you come up with.

im down with start cheap. the plugs i changed in june with the wires but i will give both a try. what i have done so far is take the plug out checked the gap and cleaned it up, there was a little white residue on it. put it back in put the wire back on made sure it snapped on, checked the distributor end of the wire and made sure that snapped back on, checked the coil wire. finally disconnected the battery to reset the com., and when i started it back up it ran rougher than before, so i took it out on the freeway and got all the way up to 70 mph and nothing has happened no ses light, but when i am at a stoplight it idles rough. so what i am doing now is taking the dist. cap off now and checking for corrosion and if that doesnt work then i guess try a different distributor or should i replace the coil, which would be cheaper. maybe a junkyard would be the way to go. thanks guys for the ideas so far.

I'm willing to bet that it's a wire, same thing happened to me. I replaced the wires just because the car was eight years old and had 120K miles on it. Two months later it ran horrible and displayed a cylinder 2 misfire code. New wires fixed it. I should have left the factory ones there.

The coil, which provides spark to all four cylinders is not going to cause a problem with one.

If the above does not fix the problem then it's time to do a compression test on all 3 cylinders. It may be time for exhaust valves.