1997 850 Phantom CEL

Craigd2599 · Post by **Craigd2599** » 04 Jun 2019, 20:55

My daughter's 1997 850 N/A keeps throwing a phantom CEL. The light comes on, I put a scanner on it and it shows 1 code. When I try to read the code, it says "no codes." When I choose "erase codes" the light goes out.
Car runs fine. Any ideas?

Post by **abscate** » 05 Jun 2019, 03:27

What scanner are you using? You might need a higher end one to pick up the manufacturer codes

Craigd2599 · Post by **Craigd2599** » 05 Jun 2019, 04:33

It's fairly higher end. It has both stored and pending code readability. Code shows up on neither.

Post by **jreed** » 05 Jun 2019, 06:43

I haven't experienced this type of problem before, so I can't really offer any specific advice. I use an old Actron handheld scanner and it hasn't had trouble yet listing out the codes that are causing the CEL to turn on -- but that's just my particular experience.
It might be worth trying a different code reading tool to see if you have better luck... Do you have access to any other handheld code readers, smartphone based or OBD2/USB/laptop based code readers? Most car parts stores will read codes for free, so that could be a good option to try. Good luck!

Craigd2599 · Post by **Craigd2599** » 05 Jun 2019, 06:53

That's what I'm using. The scanner I have is fairly enhanced and it differentiates between readable codes and manufacturer specific codes.
That's why I'm baffled here.

Post by **xHeart** » 05 Jun 2019, 09:17

What is the code?

Craigd2599 · Post by **Craigd2599** » 05 Jun 2019, 11:01

There is no code. That's my point. The CEL comes and it will show a code in the queue and then when you select "read codes" it will tell you "No codes present"
Select erase codes" and the CEL goes out

Post by **erikv11** » 05 Jun 2019, 13:36

Try with another scanner, see if the problem is the scanner (or car-scanner pair) or the car. Take it to the parts store to have the code read for free, see if it behaves the same way with their scanner.

Craigd2599 · Post by **Craigd2599** » 05 Jun 2019, 14:10

I thought about doing that. Auto Zone's scanner isn't as good as mine

Post by **xHeart** » 06 Jun 2019, 13:21

If true, then voltage is a suspect.