Where can a brother go for a free code check on a CEL? At the moment I can't afford a scanner. Thanks.

 

autozone, advance auto parts..just call some local parts stores and ask them if they do free code scans.

 

Or grab a paperclip / small piece of wire and do it yourself for free.

 

+1. The procedure is in your Chilton's manual.

 

sorry to sound dumb, but for my own knowledge what is a code check?

 

You don't have to apologize for being dumb. It's probably not your fault.

They're talking about the error codes that are stored when soemthing goes wrong with teh car, or when teh car thinks something is wrong. Basically, when you see the Check Engine Light come on, that usually means the computer thought something was wrong and it generated an error code. These codes get stored so that when you take it to a mechanic, they can hook up a device and "pull the codes" to see exactly what is wrong.

That's it in a nutshell. It's a bit more complicated than that (as far as codes that trip the CEL, ones that don't, different types, etc) but that's the basics.

 

They only do '96+ OBD-2 cars.

Heres how to test yourself:
http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/