1999 E-150 Obtaining Service Engine Soon codes

[wcbyers]

Hi,

The SES light on my 1999 E150 just came on. On my wife's dodge caravan I can read the code by turning the ignition on-off-on-off-on which causes the SES light to blink out the code. Is there a similar trick for getting the code on the E150 or do I need to take the van someplace to hook it up to a code reader? Same question for the airbag light.

Thanks for your help.

-- Wes

[ModMech]

No. As will ALL 1996 and later "OBD-II" compliant vehicles, you NEED a scan tool of some sort to retrieve codes from the computer.

If you have a laptop (even 10+ years old) see www.obd-2.com for a VERY nice and inexpensive unit that will work on ANY MAKE or MODEL from 1996 to current.

[wcbyers]

Thanks for the response. I checked out the obd-2 web site. It looks interesting but I don't have a portable computer to use right now. AutoZone will check the code for free so I guess I'll go that route.

In your reply you said

"ALL 1996 and later "OBD-II" compliant vehicles, you NEED a scan tool"

Does this mean that my wife's 1997 Caravan is not OBD-II compliant because you don't need a scanner to get the codes? Actually, I don't even know what OBD-II compliant means but that's okay.

Thanks again.