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General check engine light - scan tool question

posted by  boxvolvo on  Sun Aug 1 04:10 CST 2010
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 04:28 CST 2014
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Okay, up front admission - the car is from the other Swedish car company.

CEL comes on sporadically, never while driving, but every once in a while on engine start. I pull a fuse to reset it, then it can go for a couple of days or a couple of weeks without lighting. Then it happens again, when starting. I can't identify any particular set of circumstances - when it happens, it happens engine hot, engine cold, after a long drive, after a short drive, raining, not raining. When it comes on, there is no noticeable decline in performance. I'm guessing a flaky sensor.

So I'm looking for scan tool to pull the codes, and if I understand what I'm reading, any tool will pull a set of standarized codes, and then some software exists for pulling vehicle specific codes. Is this correct, and if so, anyone have any experience with a tool and software that would work well with a 2003 Saab 9-3?







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    General check engine light - scan tool question

    posted by  KlausC on  Sun Aug 1 05:06 CST 2010
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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    Stop unplugging the fuse! The engine computer is trying to tell you something and you are ignoring it. Most emmissions errors take a couple of cycles to turn on the CEL.

    Next time it turns on, visit an autoparts store and borrow a scanner. Seldom do you need a SAAB or Volvo specific scanner, unless you want to do non critical areas like power seat controls, cabin ventilation, instrument cluster, or the like. All generic scanners will give Pnnnn codes to you for the tranny, engine, ABS.

    Klaus
    --
    Why are Volvos so endearing? Its just a car.








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      General check engine light - scan tool question

      posted by  boxvolvo on  Sun Aug 1 23:23 CST 2010
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 04:28 CST 2014
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      I have been properly scolded. :)

      I wouldn't do the fuse thing as a rule - I'm aware of the need to run several cycles for an error to pop up, but it normally doesn't take three weeks for that to happen.

      Edit - 20 minutes later.

      This is why cars drive us everywhere, including nuts.

      The CEL came on Saturday morning, which prompted my post. I didn't touch the fuse. I just went down to the local Wawa ( regional C store chain) about a mile away for some of their fine coffee, and the light was on when I started the car. So I get my coffee, come out and start the car for the ride home, and now the light is off. Arggghhhh!







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    General check engine light - scan tool question

    posted by  someone claiming to be 850240 on  Sun Aug 1 05:03 CST 2010 [RELATED]

    http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiScan-MS300-OBD-II-Scan/dp/B001LHVOVK/ref=pd_ys_iyr_img

    It has done the trick for me, nothing fancy, no nonsense, gets the job done.







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