can auto zone read these codes or should I take it to the dealer? I tried to drive the car to the upholstery shop today, but the check engine light came on and it started backfiring like crazy. I did find a unhooked vacum line and reattached it. the car ran fine, but then the CEL came back on and it ran like a turd.

Any suggestions? I recently replaced the TPS on the car...

 

Are you sure your timming is on point? Oh and by the way no they can only check OBD II systems so not unless its an OBD II system. The port will be on the driver's side behind the hood prop somewhere.

 

didn't think to look to see if it was a OBD II system and no, I didn't check the timming. The CEL did come on for a second everytime I pressed the clutch and the car lunged forward to shift gears.

Looks like I have more work to do...I'm starting to hate this car.

 

The 2nd gen has a very simple error code system so an auto parts store cannot read the codes. Go to the link below for detailed information on how to read the codes. In the middle of the page under Engine Electrical there are two links depending on the year of your car.

http://www.fc3spro.com/TECH/HOWTO/howto.html

 

thanks for the link...I followed everything in the post and all I got out of the flashing CEL was a 1 second flash. I recently replaced the TPS on the car, would I have to reset the computer by disconnecting the battery to set the ECU back to the correct parimeters. I'm asking that because maybe the old TPS was throwing out wrong reading and the computer went to the default settings as if the TPS was not there.

 

If an error was stored in the ECU from a faulty TPS, it would likely remain in ECU memory even after a new TPS was installed. However, if the new TPS corrected the original problem, the error code would remain in ECU memory until cleared, but it is then meaningless since the problem was corrected. As far as I know, error codes in the FC ECU do not self-clear.

An error code per se does not affect the running of the engine, it just lets you know that there is/was a problem. If it bothers you, clear the code(s) by removing the negative cable from the battery for a period of time.