Parents have an '06 with a CEL that's been on "for several weeks" (according to my mother, and it was on well before that drove the 1000 or so miles back from Florida' I would not have tried that trip with an addressed engine code).


I have a scanner and a very little bit of basic maintenance and repair knowledge. Tried to read the code and the scanner said "connection error" the first time. I had turned the key to the on position during the read, so thought I'd try it again.


Second time I didn't touch the key (it was off), and got the same result.


Should I try it again with it running, or does anyone have any other advice or tips?

 

I should also note that this scanner works fine on my 2007 Ford Focus ZX3. I used it a few days before to read the CEL for a fuel system problem (gas cap not tight, although the warning light to tighten it wasn't lit).

 

Used the key on 3 times trick to have odometer display code.
Evap system, chances are my father isn't going to spend the money to have it fixed as "it won't hurt the engine or effect anything" (except the environment- just got him to stop pouring used motor oil on the gravel driveway or in weedy areas to stop weed growth, now he pours it on the burn pile that gets burned maybe once a year).


And we live right on the shore of Lake Erie on Kelleys Island.

 

Got the code, using the key on 3 times odometer display trick. P0452, evap system.


Dad probably won't have it fixed since "it won't damage the engine or hurt anything" (besides the environment. Just last summer I saw him pouring used motor oil on the burn pile that is burned maybe once a year. He used to pour it on the gravel driveway "to keep dust down" on around the barn and sheds "to kill weeds". And we live right on the shore of Lake Erie on Kelleys Island.)