Is it bad to clear the OBD codes with the engine running? I'm using a Pocket Scanner, I didn't see warnings in the manual (in the all but 2 minutes I bothered to look at it.) The one time I've tried it with the engine running, it cleared the code and seems normal. I have noticed that other brands of scanners say you don't have to turn on the engine.


I have a CEL that won't go away, tech says don't worry. I can't get the info I need yet to determine the problem
PO773.

Thanks for input.

 

That sounds odd.

 

There's no difference in clearing the code with the engine running or not. The ECU works independently of the engine's state.

Bummer that you can't figure out the solenoid issue.

 

My diagnostic tool specifically says to have the engine running.
I've even cleared the CELs while driving

 

heh. I use the Auterra Palm application and have a Pilot sitting in the "e-brake" well. If I pop a CEL, I balance the Pilot on my knee and just tap - (note the code) - tap tap with my fingernail to clear the light.

 

I've found that I can just leave my diagnostic tool plugged in and the CEL will never pop up but figured that's probably a bad thing

 

i have a obd2 reader i bought for my moms explorer, the instructions say to plug it in and start the car... it will pull the code and display it 4 times, after it displays it will clear the code and you can unplug it, if you want to unplug it before thats fine, but it wont clear the code until it shows it 4 times

 

what kind do you have? I just bought an auto xray 1000?, it was only $150.00
I'm not sure what I really need.

 

is the obd2 system universal? i bought a cheapo obd2 reader from harbor freight ($50) and it works on my dads ranger and moms explorer, but they are both domestic.... will it work on foreign vehicles too? like my sisters 99 civic or say a 96 or later 4runner?

 

I have the same one that Jim's got (except I think I paid $40 )
Works perfectly fine on my Tacoma - it just gives the code(s) and clears it though. No tuning or anything else available.

 

Just because it's OBDII, doesn't mean all manufacture share the same protocol.

 

yeah those scam artists... on the website it said $40 but i wnet to the store and it was $50...... by the time i was there i was jsut like ah, screw it......

 

The auto xray 1000 I got asks to be configured for brand of vehicle. So far it tells me the code, but nothing else in "real time" or "live". It wants me to upgrade it I think. I tried the pocket scanner for $60. It fried the screen when I left it in the sun on my car seat for 2 hours. I took it back and spent a little more, I got 90 days to figure out if it's worth it.

 

leaving things on a car seat in the sun for 2 hours frys lots of things... it can kill babies and melt cds.....

 

I have the same problem. I've taken my truck into the shop and had them look at it and they said they couldnt find anything, the even tested all the sensors and they were working properly.

 

Kryptik, do you get a PO773 too? I'd really like to get this figured out, I'll keep you posted on anything I come up with.

 

Ditto, works great!

Here is the history on the P0773 code:
https://www.yotatech.com/search.php?searchid=773209

You guys should really talk to John over at IPT to get that one solved because I don't think that is a very common code and might require a true tranny specialist to track down the actual cause.