Retrieving OBD-II fault codes from 2000 Mustang GT

[Red Fox]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I just picked up a 2000 Mustang GT convertible tonight. Somewhere along the 100+ mile journey home the check engine light came on. Can anyone refamiliarize me with the procedure for checking CELs without a code scanner (i.e. counting the CEL light flashes). I've done this before but since forgot the exact procedure.

Thanks a bunch!
Chris

 

[d98gt]

Red Fox, you will need to get the codes pulled. Local autozones and other part stores usually pull them for free and can print it out for you to report back to us. Generally the advise that the parts guys offer is incorrect (no offense to any of them), so report back to the boards so we can suggest some options.

Did the car start running differently?

 

[trinity_gt]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I just picked up a 2000 Mustang GT convertible tonight. Somewhere along the 100+ mile journey home the check engine light came on. Can anyone refamiliarize me with the procedure for checking CELs without a code scanner (i.e. counting the CEL light flashes). I've done this before but since forgot the exact procedure.

Thanks a bunch!
Chris

You used to be able to do this on pre-OBD-II cars (i.e. pre-1996), usually with a jumper in a diagnostic port somewhere but no more. Like d98 says, you need a scan tool to read the codes out now.

 

[patman0911]

No, I'm pretty sure 99-04 can flash out the codes - something about turning the key three times or something. It used to be common knowledge here.

 

[patman0911]

Or maybe I'm crazy because I'm not finding any reference to it anywhere now.

 

[wmburns]

ODB2 reader $30.

Something to consider. A brand new ODB2 code reader can be had for less than $30. At that price, almost anyone that works frequently on cars can afford it for themselves.

For those of us that do a lot of work, consider stepping up to a code scanner. This gives access to operational data.

Amazon.com: C100 OBD II Check Engine Auto Scanner Code Reader: Automotive

 

[bdcardinal]

No, I'm pretty sure 99-04 can flash out the codes - something about turning the key three times or something. It used to be common knowledge here.

there was a feature that did that, however they are NOT OBD2 codes and at the dealer they are NOT acceptable for diagnosis.

 

[Red Fox]

Thanks all, yeah patman0911 I thought for sure there was too, I did an exhaustive search to no avail. I thought I did it for my '01 Cobra but I guess it was for my '91 MR-2.

The light went off, I suggested my girlfriend to take off and reinstall her gas cap and a few miles down the road it went off, so maybe it was that. Hopefully nothing stored because she needs to get it inspected in PA in a few days.

 

[Icemanstang]

Thanks all, yeah patman0911 I thought for sure there was too, I did an exhaustive search to no avail. I thought I did it for my '01 Cobra but I guess it was for my '91 MR-2.

The light went off, I suggested my girlfriend to take off and reinstall her gas cap and a few miles down the road it went off, so maybe it was that. Hopefully nothing stored because she needs to get it inspected in PA in a few days.

Did you get the code read? If so what was it? P?

 

[Mike97gt]

There is no way to pull the PCM codes other than getting the codes pulled with a scanner.

There is way to many OBD2 codes for light flashing like they did on the old cars and that thing with with codes from the instrument cluster is not PCM codes. that is diagnostic mode for the IC itself

 

[rockyracoon]

yeah you used to be short out the plug that was under the hood on the drivers side ,but that was eec iv
not obd11,as far as I know after 1993 that went bye bye.It was a nice feature.funny thing is on some ford OBD11 cars you can do that very same thing with the ABS system.I did it on my gt and it pinpointed the heck out of my problem.

 

[Red Fox]

Did you get the code read? If so what was it? P?

Unfortunately not, AutoZone said they no longer pulled codes as it became a liability for them. The CEL has since dissapeared. If it comes back up or shows up during inspection I will surely share the code.

 

[GDawg]

If you're not throwing a code during inspection, then you should pass. If the light goes out, it means it corrected itself. Don't reset the computer. Let it do it on its own.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

There is no way to pull the PCM codes other than getting the codes pulled with a scanner.

There is way to many OBD2 codes for light flashing like they did on the old cars and that thing with with codes from the instrument cluster is not PCM codes. that is diagnostic mode for the IC itself

Well... Doesn't the odometer flash the DTCs when it is in diagnostic mode?

From the Bullitt Archive...

To enter the HEC Dealer test mode,
1. Depress and hold the instrument cluster SELECT/RESET button,
2. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position
3. Continue pressing the SELECT/RESET button (5 seconds) until tESt is displayed in the odometer.
Note:SELECT/RESET button must be released within 3 seconds of the odometer tESt display to begin the dealer test mode.
4. What will happen next is all your analog needles will "sweep" to their max positions and then drop back to normal. The digital readout will say "GAGE".
5. Push the button once and the next diagnostic will display

Then you will see the following displayed in order:
GAGE -Activates gauge sweep of all gauges, then displays present gauge values. Also carries out the checksum tests on ROM and EE. If the gauge sweep is inoperative, INSTALL a new instrument cluster.

All segments illuminated - Illuminates all odometer segments. If any odometer segment is inoperative INSTALL a new instrument cluster.

bulb - Illuminates all micro-controlled indicators and LEDs. Install a new indicator or LED as necessary.

r - Returns to normal operation of all micro-controlled indicators and LEDs and displays hexadecimal value for ROM level. (used when requesting assistance from the hotline). If alternating flashes for FAIL and ROM level are displayed, INSTALL a new in

EE - Displays the hexadecimal value for EE level (used when requesting assistance from hotline). If alternating flashes of FAIL and EE level are displayed replace instrument cluster.

dt - Displays hexadecimal coding of final manufacturing test date (used when requesting assistance from hotline).

dtc - Displays continuous DTC's in hexadecimal format. Pressing the SELECT/RESET button will display any DTCs stored before proceeding to the next step.

enG - Displays the English speed in MPH. Speedometer will indicate present speed within tolerances. Display will show 0 if input in not received. If input is invalid for one second or more, or if speed is 0.

m - Displays the metric speed data in kph. Speedometer will indicate present speed within tolerances. Display will show 0 if input in not received. If input is invalid for one second or more, or if speed is 0.

tAc - Displays the tachometer data received from the PCM via the SCP network within tolerances. Tachometer will indicate present RPM. Display will show 0 if input is no received, if input received is invalid for one second or more, or if engine RPM is 0

FUEL - Displays the code (0-255) for the fuel sender input to the HEC. The fuel gauge will display a filtered fuel level value. This filter will keep the pointer from moving suddenly or erratically.
255 open send +/- 0
232 full stop +/- 0
215 Full mark +/- 10
178 3/4 mark +/- 8
138 1/2 mark +/- 7
93 1/4 mark +/- 5
41 E mark +/- 4
54 Low Fuel (0-59)
0-18 short (0-20 max)

OIL - Displays the code (0-250) for the oil pressure switch input to the HEC. Oil pressure gauge will indicate present oil pressure. Normal oil pressure (greater than 6psi) will display a value between 000 and 176. A low oil pressure or an inoperative e

dEGC - Display of engine temperature in Degrees C input from cylinder head temperature sensor.
49 C "C" mark
60 C Normal band start
120 C Normal band end
-40 C No SCP message for 5 seconds

bAtt - Displays the code (0-255) for the battery voltage input to the HEC. Battery voltage gauge will indicate present battery voltage.
93-102 6.2-9.1 volts, low voltage
115-124 8.5-10.7 volts, Normal band start
215-225 15.8-18 volts, Norm band end
230-241 16.9-19.1 volts, high voltage

rhEo - Displays the present decimal rheostat dimming input, 0-255 (used when requesting assistance from the hotline)

rhi - rhS - rho - Not used.

Cr - Displays the current RUN/START sense input. Display will show -h for high input with the ignition switch in the START position and -L for low input with the ignition switch in the RUN position.

PA-PE7 - not used.

GAGE - Repeats the display cycle

 

[wmburns]

Regarding the Cluster selftest, I believe the DTC's displayed are Cluster specific.