I have a 1999 4runner and the CEL just came on. Is there a way to extract the diagnostic codes without an odbii reader? I've already searched the forum and did not find an answer so I'm assuming this is an original question. My apologies if it's been covered at length in another thread.
I was hoping to avoid going to Autozone or any place like that. I also have a Jeep Wrangler and I can read the codes there by turning the ignition off/on three times in five seconds and the codes are displayed on the odometer. I tried this with the 4runner but it didn't work. I was hoping I could do something similar with the 4runner.
There are terminals in your hood that allows you to read from the ECU.
err... Let me rephrase.
In your hood should be a diagnosis box, next to your fuse box.
Pop it open and it should have terminals TE1 and T1 or something like that. (there is info on the web, I'll try to locate it)
Short 'em and turn to ignition ON. (without startin' the car tho')
The check engine light should flash in a certain way and that'd be the engine fault code.
Oooo sorry, misread that you have 1990 model of runner, I'm not sure how it's in the newer runners, but might well give it a try and see if there is a diagnosis box. I've never opened a hood of a 3rd gen so I'm just talkin' nonesense!
The easiest thing is to go to Autozone, read the codes on their scanner, then come back and compute those numbers into meaning. 5 minute trip and you are out of the parking lot. It doesn't hurt that much
