Check engine codes - secret handshake?

[chgilley]

My daughter picked up a 1998 Avalon for basic transportation. She'll get out of school early next year, then she can save for a newer car. For now, we just need to keep it running. Had the car for two weeks and it's showing it's check engine light. Told her to run it down to the local parts store for them to pull the codes. This parts store has never failed me, but this time, the Avalon has a round connector and they only have a rectangular connector..

what?

So, I really don't want to go buy a ODBCII reader. Is there any backdoor way to get the codes off the dash? Something like holding the mileage button down while turning on then off then on the ignition?

thanks

ps - just learned about the sludge issue. Keeping fingers crossed.

[pmesfun]

The OBDII connector is located inside the car. Once you remove the fuse cover, you will see it at the top.

Let us know what the codes are, so we can help.

[chgilley]

than to buy a reader?

[Zembonez]

OBDII ports are standard. Perhaps the Einstein at the store was looking at something different?

[pmesfun]

^+1

I indicated where the standard OBDII port is located, nothing fancy is needed. Just a regular scan tool.

[Zembonez]

I agree. Probably a simple case of a guy not knowing where to look. If you point it out, I bet they can get it done.

[Jack Deth]

i'll third that. obd2 is the standard for all cars since 1996, the standard specifies the connector type, too.

[GOT BOOST]

Originally Posted by Zembonez

OBDII ports are standard. Perhaps the Einstein at the store was looking at something different?

Exactly!

The OBDII ports on all vehicles from 1996 up are located with in 3 feet of the steering wheel.

The Avalon OBDII port is located in the removable fuse pannel on the drivers side.

What this guy was looking at was the Data link for the brake system. That is round connector on the under the left side of the dash, closest to the fender.

[TTownEP3]

Oh cool, I've got a CEL and the guy didn't pull any fuse panel covers off, he just said his reader wouldn't fit that, so I must have OBDI. That must be what he saw. I'll go back and show it to him, thanks!

The local Toyota dealer wanted $89 to read the code and "diagnose" it for me. LOL, no.

[tacosteelersman]

+1^ All the above posts are correct (on this side of the big pond) OBD II plug is in with the fuses.