I looked for a couple of days trying to find out how to read the trouble codes on my 2004 Expy. I found lots of posts about pressing the trip/reset button on dash but that did not work on my Expedition. I think that might work on the base models but the Eddie Bauer and maybe some of the xlt models have a 3 button info center and pressing the trip/reset button will not work (i tried many times).

Finally I found some info on an Explorer forum about how to read the codes.

There are 3 buttons (info, setup and reset) With the key off press setup and reset at the same time for about 4 seconds.
Turn the key to the on position but do not start.
On the right side of dash it will read TEST.
Release the buttons and press the reset button to scroll through the modes. It will do a gauge sweep first then show you the data.
Turn the key off to end the test mode.

Key words:
expedition
eddie baurer
obd2
check engine light
test codes
trouble codes

 

You need an OBDII scanner to read the "trouble codes". Whatever instructions you found are either bogus or you're misunderstanding their actual purpose.

 

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I think every car since obd1/2 came out has a way to self test cel/trouble codes. I had a Fiero that you could jump with a paper clip and it would flash a number of times and tell you what the problem was. On newer cars its a matter of knowing how many times to cycle the on/off switch, press reset buttons, clap your hands and touch your toes,,etc.

Sure using a scanner is easier but why use one when you have all the info to let the car do it for you? I don't have a scanner and its a lot easier to read the codes in my driveway that to drive into town and see the nice folks at Advance. As far as bogus or misunderstanding goes there are many, many posts on reading codes with just the trip/reset button. Once you access it you can pretty much google the trouble code and find the problem. The point of my post was finding a way to access the codes..how to get the car into test mode to find out what is going on.

 

This ain't a Fiero. That was a previous generation of engine control system from a different manufacturer.

Nope. Doesn't exist. It's a matter of actually KNOWING how the system is supposed to work and how to talk and listen to it.

The DTCs displayable by the cluster while in dealer test mode are limited to only codes that originate in the cluster, they are NOT OBDII codes, and are of very limited usefulness.

If you want to access the OBDII codes in the PCM, you absolutely NEED an OBDII scan tool. This has been the requirement since 1996.

If you want to read your own codes in your driveway, you'll have to spend up for that capability. If you have an Android device, you can get in that door for under $30 with a BT OBDII adapter and an app.