'99 Miata. Check engine light came on yesterday. Car is running fine. I checked to make sure the gas cap was on tight, but haven't had it tested. None of the auto parts stores in my area have the correct connection to read the code. Do I need a scanner to get the codes on this car? What's the scoop? I've only owned it a couple weeks and am not all that familiar with it yet.
My $99 parts store generic OBDII reader will read and reset codes in the Manic Miata, no problem. I suggest you make the investment. It's invaluable to take it along when looking at used cars, too.
[edit] Sorry about not actually, you know, answering your question or anything. Unfortunately, without obvious symptoms, it could be a lot of things.
A cheapo OBDII code reader is the answer.
My 02 Miata got a check engine light shortly after having the oil changed. Apparently the service tech dislodged a vacuum line while removing the oil filter. The code indicated a massive malfunction of the whatchamacallit but reconnecting the vacuum line made everything good again.
In reply to fujioko:
Funny thing is that this happened a day or two after I had removed the valve cover to inspect the timing belt. I re-checked everything I had disconnected to do that, and it all looks fine, but I'm still suspicious. Any idea if I could have somehow caused the light to come on?
Just ask the car. It knows. Any OBD-II reader will pull the codes. If your auto parts stores have any scanners at all and have worked on a car built in the last 18 years, they have the correct plug. It's the standard OBD-II port.
Failing that, any mechanic shop should have one.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
That's what I thought. I sent my son (he's the one that drives the car) to the auto parts store to have the codes read, and they told him it used a different connector than the one they had.
bravenrace wrote: I sent my son (he's the one that drives the car) to the auto parts store to have the codes read, and they fed him a BS line because they didn't want to mess with it or their scanner is broken."
Fixed that for you. That, or if they were serious, you don't want them even opening the hood on your car because they have no idea what they are talking about.
They saw that it wasn't a Chebby or a Ferd and didn't want to mess around wiff dat dere eye-tail-ee-yun thang.
Error 404: THE Answer is not found in this thread
I think that all of the affordable OBDII scanners just read the computer to see what isn't in the correct parameters. The expensive and extremely expensive scanners that the repair shops and dealerships use can give them all the info on why the check engine light is on.
If you have an android device: buy Torque and a Bluetooth dongle. That will give you access to much more data than a generic/low cost OBD reader, and allows you to reset as well.
Try a different parts store.
I've found a common code is exhaust inefficiency. Have it on my 99 Miata base and it's been on almost as long as I've owned the car. Several years. Changed the Cat, both O2 sensors, tune-up w/new plugs & wires, even replaced engine (for a different reason, water pump went out miles from anyplace and continued driving to the next exit several miles away). Can't think of anything else and if I clear the code it stays out for about a day or so and comes back. Doesn't affect how it runs. It is annoying though.
The answer is 42.
The question is "What is 6 * 7?"
+1 for an $12 Elm bluetooth module + torque app for Android.
Mr_Clutch42 wrote: I think that all of the affordable OBDII scanners just read the computer to see what isn't in the correct parameters. The expensive and extremely expensive scanners that the repair shops and dealerships use can give them all the info on why the check engine light is on.
No, the factory manual gives you all the info. The repair shop scanners give an interpretation of what the factory may or may not have released.
You just need the code. Then you ask someone familiar with the cars what might have caused that code.
wlkelley3, I suspect you've got a clogged EGR pipe. Tell me what the code is.
Well before I was able to do anything, my son tells me the light went out. Its been out for several days. Any reason it would do that?
In reply to bravenrace:
yes. It passed the OBD test that caused it to fail in the first place. And which I would think is two things (both of which have happened to my car)- EGR flow error or catalyst efficiency error. Both are tested in a window that can make them work better or worse. My car would fail EGR if I ran it between 40-45 MPH, normally in 4th gear. If I managed to stay out of that window for a long time, the light would go away, and I would be fine. The catalyst would set if I ran between 75-80 on a windy day (so there's more load and heat in the catalyst). Slow down- and it would be ok.
FWIW, the OBD connector for the '99 is under a panel just above your left leg- or to the left of the steering wheel. Easy to get to. And the connector is the same as every single other car sold in the US after 1996. Just as the law says so.
Not sure about the NB Miata, but for some cars the light will reset after a certain number of ignition cycles. I had a couple of OBDII equipped cars do that, both had EGR issues.
Thanks guys, that's good information.
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