Check Engine Light & Rear Wheel Brake Drum

[rgp]

1992, 3.8-Liter, Taurus GL. The light comes on after driving at highway speed for approximately 10-minutes. Upon stopping (engine off) and then restarting the light will be off as long as I meander around city streets at approximately 30 mph. I stopped at a dealer and they need $100.00 to read the code(s).
I also own a 2001 Ford Ranger 4-Liter. There's lots of code readers on the market. Can you folks recommend one that I can consider purchasing that will work reliably on both the Taurus and the Ranger?
I see all sorts of price ranges for these things but I don't know much about them and don't want to waste money on junk.
Many thanks.
Also, (the same Taurus) I went to pull a rear brake drum this evening because a lug bolt broke. I've never seen a bearing retaining hex nut like this before. I can't get the nut off. Most nuts are held in place with a cotter pin. This nut has some sort of a sheet metal cage around it. Am I supposed to pry that cage off so I can get at the bearing retaining hex nut? What kind of a thing-a-ma-jig is this anyway? How do I get the nut off so I can get the drum off?

[Dan_in_WA]

You don't need a code reader for your '92 Taurus. You can read the codes using a jumper wire, and counting the flashes of the Check Engine light.

Do you have a Chilton's manual on the car? There is an explanation in there, or go to www.tauruscarclub.com or www.tempotopaz.com and both sites have an excellent how-to.

Just find two electrical connectors in the engine compartment: They are both near the passenger side shock tower. One is a great big ugly thing with 6 female (slide) wire terminals, and the other is just one single wire with a female slide terminal on it.

I'll let the sites explain the rest; as they do a much better job than I!

I can't give advice on a code reader or your rear brake drum removal; I have the station wagon, which is rear disc.

[mikeo550]

my check engine lite has been on for like 2 years... its an internal computer thing most of the time... still get it to a competant mechanic to make sure