Cheap code reader keeps the CEL off with ORM

uncaged · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:22 pm

I picked up the Launch Creader code reader that's sold by Harbor Freight for $35.95

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46030

You can plug the little reader directly into the OBD plug under the dash without the supplied pigtail. It sits there right-side-up and is readable while sitting in the driver's seat. The neat thing about this reader, is that it reads and displays the codes 4 times, and then clears the codes automatically.

So, theoretically :roll:

if you leave the Creader plugged in all the time with the ORM, it reads the codes at startup, and clears them, turning off the CEL about 1-2 minutes after startup. This is the way I'm running it (while off-road only) and love it. ORM and no CEL for cheap and there's nothing to mod. Just thought some others might find this interesting.

Speaking of interesting, just before it turns off the CEL, I think it dynamically reads a code that runs across the data bus and displays 0400 - which in the supplied manual corresponds to "Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Malfunction" Perfect!

BlackLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:34 pm

Sounds nice, did you get it shipped to you or buy at a local store. Not everything is in the store so be good to know if in stock or not.

uncaged · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:36 pm

Had it shipped.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:24 pm

uncaged wrote:

I picked up the Launch Creader code reader that's sold by Harbor Freight for $35.95

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46030

You can plug the little reader directly into the OBD plug under the dash without the supplied pigtail. It sits there right-side-up and is readable while sitting in the driver's seat. The neat thing about this reader, is that it reads and displays the codes 4 times, and then clears the codes automatically.

So, theoretically :roll:

if you leave the Creader plugged in all the time with the ORM, it reads the codes at startup, and clears them, turning off the CEL about 1-2 minutes after startup. This is the way I'm running it (while off-road only) and love it. ORM and no CEL for cheap and there's nothing to mod. Just thought some others might find this interesting.

Speaking of interesting, just before it turns off the CEL, I think it dynamically reads a code that runs across the data bus and displays 0400 - which in the supplied manual corresponds to "Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Malfunction" Perfect!

Repost, but good info anyways

Heres the original on the subject:
http://lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtop ... est+catcrd

What I noticed generally with that code reader is that it sometimes read some wierd things, we got some random number displayed on CATCRDS Jeep, almost like a memory address.

It works though, and is cheap, but you do need to keep the booklet to lookup the codes handy, or be close to google.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:32 am

Of course it would probably clear any code that was there. Can you stop it before it does that?

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:02 am

Cowcatcher wrote:

Of course it would probably clear any code that was there. Can you stop it before it does that?

You can unplug it before it cycles 4 times, however you cannot selectively clear a single code, it clears them all or none.

BlackLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:59 am

That would sure work for my ORM for I have no other codes. Leave that plugged in. Another mod for sure.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:09 am

BlackLibertyCRD wrote:

That would sure work for my ORM for I have no other codes. Leave that plugged in. Another mod for sure.

Only if all you want is to shut the CEL off, it will hide other error codes just as much as the CEL will.

uncaged · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:16 am

It doesn't hide any codes, it displays all codes it sees.

You can see the face of the reader from sitting in the driver's seat, so if you want to see what code(s) you have as it clears them, just look. The CEL light still comes on. When/if it does, look to see what the code is.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:36 pm

uncaged wrote:

It doesn't hide any codes, it displays all codes it sees.

You can see the face of the reader from sitting in the driver's seat, so if you want to see what code(s) you have as it clears them, just look. The CEL light still comes on. When/if it does, look to see what the code is.

It hides the codes in that it clear them all, not selectively. So if you start your jeep up and it throws a code, it will get cleared with the ORM code.

It's a good code reader though, I've had mine for about 5years and it still works fine(though unless you pay $10 more for the nicer one it will not work with VAG OBDII ports, found that out the hard way)

hawk521 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 3:10 pm

Well I'm game to give this little gem a try. All I read about the SEGR kit make me uncertain I'm up to the task of building it.

If this scan tool is satisfactory for resetting the occasional CEL then I may have one unopenned SEGR kit available if someone more proficient with a soldering iron than I wants it.

KenJennings · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:34 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

... It's a good code reader though, I've had mine for about 5years and it still works fine(though unless you pay $10 more for the nicer one it will not work with VAG OBDII ports, found that out the hard way)

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying here. Is the $35.95 46030-7VGA UNIVERSAL CODE READER the "$10 more" version? (It is currently the least expensive one found when searching for "code reader") Or did you buy something else?

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:30 am

KenJennings wrote:

Sir Sam wrote:

... It's a good code reader though, I've had mine for about 5years and it still works fine(though unless you pay $10 more for the nicer one it will not work with VAG OBDII ports, found that out the hard way)

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying here. Is the $35.95 46030-7VGA UNIVERSAL CODE READER the "$10 more" version? (It is currently the least expensive one found when searching for "code reader") Or did you buy something else?

No, thats the cheaper version, harbor frieght used to list two, one at 39.99(the one now listed at $35) and one at 49.99.

The $10 price premium allowed you to also use it on VAG vehicles, I dont have that one. :cry:

BlackLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:22 pm

Picked up the code reader and found it won't read codes from the CRD. :oops:

I know there a flash for it but I'm not getting it done to stay away from the f31.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:44 pm

BlackLibertyCRD wrote:

Picked up the code reader and found it won't read codes from the CRD. :oops:

I know there a flash for it but I'm not getting it done to stay away from the f31.

have you tried it with both the ignition in the on position and with the car running?

when you plug it in do you get an "E"?

uncaged · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:20 pm

Weird. When in my CRD, it displays the E if the ignition is off, but displays and clears codes with the key on, engine running or not.

I have no idea what versions of software is running in my Jeep.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:40 pm

uncaged wrote:

Weird. When in my CRD, it displays the E if the ignition is off, but displays and clears codes with the key on, engine running or not.

I have no idea what versions of software is running in my Jeep.

thats normal, there is power to the OBDII port even while off, but the PCI bus isnt active.

on my CRD I noticed that it used to only work when the engine was running, It would display the "E" when the ignition was on but not running, later I noticed it worked both times.

when I used the same reader on CATCRDs Jeep it worked with the key just to on, but it also displayed a very odd reading, almost like a memory address.

with his engine running the wierd reading did not display.

BlackLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:50 pm

Yes to both on and running, it keep saying launch then shows dashes ----- then launch again. Ignition off gets an E.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:54 pm

BlackLibertyCRD wrote:

Yes to both on and running, it keep saying launch then shows dashes ----- then launch again. Ignition off gets an E.

You mean like:

"LAUNCH"
"- "
" - "
" - "
" -"
"LAUNCH"

like that?

if there are no codes then it will just display that.

if you dont have a CEL on that sounds like normal operation to me.

uncaged · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:57 pm

then you have no codes and your CEL is off. Right?

*EDIT* Sam snuck his post in right before mine, so... "what he said!"

Cheap code reader keeps the CEL off with ORM

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