rob_engineer

I Always get amused and puzzled about why people on this forum, who obviously want to do their own work, do not have trouble code readers. People, they are so cheap these days. Stop guessing, or taking it to a friend, or to a parts store. Spend the $20-$30 and get yourself a reader. I have the ELM 327 obd2 with wifi to connect to my iPhone. Total investment about $28. $18 for the ELM and $10 for the Dashcommand app. If you plan to do your own work, or if you just want to keep the repair shops honest, invest the small amount of money and get yourself a reader. It will pay for itself very quickly.

ronjenx

Most people who do their own installations and repairs are not into troubleshooting. A code reader gives the code and its name, but doesn't go into the troubleshooting steps. Most of the steps involve electrical tests before component replacement. People seem to want to skip it all and go right to replacing parts.
Most parts stores like this, so they will read codes for free. The average vehicle owner feels no need to buy a code reader.

14Sport

I have an Actron. None of my friends or family have one because they just come to me...lol Cheapskates!

kbp810

I also have a code reader... but on the JK you can also do the key thing where you turn it back and forth three times, and it displays the DTC codes right there on the dash.

ronjenx

Not all the codes will be displayed with the key method.

Baddkarmaracing

Or you could be a total badass like me and have this....

14Sport

Haha...true story.

Baddkarmaracing

I must admit that its not actually mine, belongs to the company that I work for but I am 100% responsible for it and no one else knows how to use it lol

14Sport

Sweet! Sounds like it yours then...at least at work.

Baddkarmaracing

I can take it with me if I need/want to, I have a superchips trail dash for reading basic codes and if I need real scanner functions I normally just do it at work or take the scanner home.