Auto Repair - how to read codes yourself without scan tools https://codes.rennacs.com/Manual-info.

php

Auto Repair Codes -

Manual Code Reading
Using a Jumper Wire to Flash Codes

Most vehicles display thier Petrol and Diesel Engine,

ABS Brakes, Airbag and Auto Transmission codes by
flashing a light on the dashboard of the car.

One thing that you can use as a jumper wire is a

"Steel Paper Clip" that has been straightened out
as shown in the diagram to the right. It must be a
steel one, and not have any plastic coating on it.
Bookmark Page
Using a paper clip or a piece of wire as a jumper wire
is PERFECTLY SAFE. Using jumper wires to flash
codes has been built in by the car manufacturers to
ensure people without a Scan Tool or Code Reader
can still diagnose the vehicle faults by reading the
codes.
Simply follow the step by step
instructions which clearly show you
which terminals on the diagnostic
connector to link, and then insert
the Paper Clip into those terminals.

The picture to the right show a

typical example of bridging 2
terminals of a diagnostic connector
to start a Check Light flashing on the
dashbaord.

The website pages

will now generally
ask you to turn the
Ignition Key On.

A Check Light on
the Dash will now
begin to Flash as
shown in the
diagram to the
right.

By using the code timing information, you can now understand

the pattern of the light flashes, and you can write down the code
numbers as they are flashed in sequence.

You can then enter the code numbers into the final Codes Screen
to get the code description (code meaning).

1 of 4 3/23/2019, 7:51 PM
Auto Repair - how to read codes yourself without scan tools https://codes.rennacs.com/Manual-info.php

Using an LED Tester or Voltmeter to read the codes

Some vehicles such as pre 1998 Mitsubishi's and Hyundai's, plus

some Kia and Mazda vehicles do not display codes on a flashing dash
light. These vehicles give thier code signals directly from the
diagnostic connector. You will need to use an LED tester or a
Voltmeter to read the codes from these vehicles.

If you don't have a voltmeter or an LED tester you can easily make
an LED tester for under $1, as detailed in the steps below.

How to make an LED tester to read the codes for less than $1

Step 1
Solder a 10K ohm resistor on to the positive (longer leg) of an LED.
You need the 10K ohm resistor to limit the current draw from the
vehicles diagnostic lines. The LED will still be bright enough to see
flashing.

Step 2
Solder one wire onto the bottom of the resistor. Solder another wire
WHICH IS SLIGHTLY SHORTER THAN THE FIRST WIRE onto the
remaining LED leg. The Longer wire is your Positive (+) wire. You
should now have something looking similar to the picture below. This
basic LED tester will work perfectly well, and allow you to read the
codes with the Manual CodeReader Instructions.

If you choose you can now heatshrink the two LED legs and add
Aligator clips to make it easier to connect to some of the vehicle
diagnostic connectors.

To use the LED tester simply connect it to the vehicle as per this
websites instructions. You may need to try the LED in both directions
to get the correct polarity to make the LED flash. This WILL NOT
cause any problems, as it simply won't draw ANY current in one
direction (LED off), while in the other direction it will be ON or
flashing.

By using this websites code timing information, you can now

understand the pattern of the LED light flashes, and you can write
down the code numbers as they are flashed in sequence.

You can then enter the code numbers into the Code Screen to get
the code description (code meaning).

How to use a Multimeter to read codes

2 of 4 3/23/2019, 7:51 PM
Auto Repair - how to read codes yourself without scan tools https://codes.rennacs.com/Manual-info.php

You can use any standard digital

multimeter to read the codes. It can be a
very low cost, simple meter. It only has to
be able to measure 0 to 12 volts. You can
use an Analog Voltmeter, however you
need to make sure it has an internal
resistance of at least 10K ohms to be safe.

I find that if you have an Auto Ranging

digital multimeter, that it is easier to set
the voltage range manually (if possible) to
a low range (say 10 volts) so that the
screen goes between around zero volts up
to OL. This also means if your meter has a
bar graph on the bottom of the screen, it
will move right across the screen and back
making it easier to count the code output
pulses.
Please note: A digital multimeter
probably wont show exactly zero volts
when connected to the car diagnostic
terminals. This is OK, as you are simply
looking for a major change in voltage. The
car code output systems will swing
between either approx. 0 and 5 volts, or
approx 0 and 12 volts.

Other Things That Can Help You With Auto Repair

and Manual Code Reading

The Black Jumper wire in combination with the loose terminals

shown above is really useful for grounding terminals of vehicle
diagnostic connectors, to output the codes. One of their main
advantages is that they provide a stable ground, to ensure the
vehicle stays in diagnostic mode to display the codes while you read
them.

3 of 4 3/23/2019, 7:51 PM
Auto Repair - how to read codes yourself without scan tools https://codes.rennacs.com/Manual-info.php

The 3 loose terminals above are also really useful for accessing
some diagnostic connector terminals that are hard to get to. You can
simply push the into / onto the diagnostic terminals and then hold or
clip you LED tester or Voltmeter leads onto the terminals.

The Yellow and Red jumper wires above are designed as "generic"
jumper wires to link terminals of the diagnostic connectors.

Disclaimer:

You use this information at your own risk. Always be sure to follow
the instructions carefully. Rennacs is not responsible or liable for any
mistakes or omissions in the information provided, or any mistakes
made by anyone following any of this information.

4 of 4 3/23/2019, 7:51 PM