My Dodge 3500 tractor hauler

37 chief · Jun 13, 2022

Every two years I need to get a smog check, before I can get my Dodge licensed. I had a check engine light. I need to get that cleared before I do anything. There are a few things I don't do. Smog stuff, Auto transmissions, and auto electric. About everything else I am comfortable doing. I took my pickup to a shop to find the problem, that cost me 150.00 It was a bad Oxygen sensor. To replace the Oxygen sensor was 460.00. I guess I could have done it. If I had installed a new oxygen sensor, then if that wasn't the problem. Now what. As I figure over the years I haven't spent much money on auto repairs by a shop, Other than smog, auto transmissions, or auto Eletric. Most of on my 96 Dodge 3500. Stan

Steve@Advance · Jun 13, 2022

Please don't let the check engine light intimidate you!

A simple cheap code reader is a great diagnostic tool. Usually, it will take you straight to the problem, or give you a starting point what to look for.

The light can be set by hundreds of causes, some not even emissions related, still it won't pass if it's on.

MSD · Jun 13, 2022

If you cycle the key switch 3 times and watch the odometer miles, it will flash a code and tell you what the problem is. At least on the newer one's it works anyway.

Carlmac 369 · Jun 14, 2022

(quoted from post at 22:58:36 06/13/22) If you cycle the key switch 3 times and watch the odometer miles, it will flash a code and tell you what the problem is. At least on the newer one's it works anyway.

Lol. Yes, it will flash the code that is stored. Tell you what the problem is? Not so much.

This post was edited by Carlmac 369 on 06/14/2022 at 05:06 am.

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 14, 2022

It's a 1996, barely OBDII. Not going to get much from a code reader but basic info, which is better than nothing. The "cycle the key 3 times" thing doesn't work.

sms · Jun 14, 2022

I had a problem with my truck. Only tripped the code on a cold start. Took it to a shop they did a diagnostic for free (they did a lot of work for me other times). Everything looked fine. I was traveling a lot and it was threatening to go into limp mode if I didn't shut off code so I bought a reader. By doing a live diagnostic on a cold start I was able to figure out the problem, bought the dealer only part at a little over cost(good to know people in low places) and probably saved hundreds of dollars.

T in NE · Jun 14, 2022

With an analog odometer, you count the flashes of the check engine light after the key dance.

My Dodge 3500 tractor hauler

37 chief

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

MSD

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Carlmac 369

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BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

sms

Well-known Member

T in NE

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