any tricks for reading codes on car doesn't have check light

[voyager3142]

as title says........

my car doesn't have the check computer and therefore no check light i'm guessing.

i did try the trick where you press your accelerator 5 times but no light appeared.

is my only option a proper fault code reader in the diagnostic port?

[Brianmoooore]

The 'check' light referred to is nothing to do with the roof mounted 'check' panel, or its associated light in the cluster.
It's been reported that the 'stomp' test works on UK cars if you add the light. Connects between pin 12 (grey wire) at the engine loom plug, and 12v+ ignition live.

[voyager3142]

when you say engine loom plug, you mean C101? in the engine bay?

[Brianmoooore]

Yes; the ECU engine check light pin is usually wired as far as here.

[voyager3142]

pin 12 of my c101 was a brown wire, i went ahead and tried connecting the bulb between it an ignition live, the light just remained on. also stayed on during stomp test

[Brianmoooore]

Are you sure you're identifying the pins correctly? The only brown, if fitted at all, should be on pin 20.
Pin 11 should be white/green, and pin 13 should be green/purple.

[voyager3142]

hi yeah pretty sure got it right, have a look here:



Pin 11 white/green. pin 13 green/purple like you say but pin 12 brown

[voyager3142]

bumpy

[jay528ise1985]

What year is your car? Fault codes only available on E30's equipped with Motronic 1.1 & 1.3, from around 1987 I think.

[abelai]

Fault code reading on an e30 will pretty much only tell if something has fall of the car!! It really is pointless except for maybe if you have a lambda sensor and even then only if it's recieving no signal same for the temp sensor and you really should be able to notice that without it flashing codes at you.

What fault do you think you have?