Can I buy a scanner or reader to pull codes from a 1997 12v?
Is there a special one I need for diesels?

 

You have to have an DRB scanner to plug into the test port on the 94-96 models. OBD 2 should work from 97-on.

You can do the key on-off-on-off-on trick and count the number of times the check engine light flashes and check some codes this way. IT should at least flash a code 55, means test is done. Any other sequence is a trouble code.

 

Key trick won't work on a 97.

 

I've heard this before but the key trick has always worked for me on '97s. Perhaps it's just on the trucks later in the production year as for sure the trick doesn't work on '98-'99.

 

Well now I have to try it on mine... I always heard it only worked on '00+ trucks. Where does it display the codes?

 

Works on my 95 CTD and my Mom's 95 gasser. It will flash the check engine light in sequence. It wont tell you as much as the newer OBD2 codes will but it still has some info.

 

It says here; '94-'96, '97-'98 need the drb tool. http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/tro..._DTC_codes.htm

 

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. The key trick definitely works on most '97s. I've done it many times myself and several people have posted here that it works on their '97s

 

I guess I should have added, "it can't hurt to try it" Anyway, it's the right procedure and codes, so, not all bad

 

Yes it will.

 

It works on mine...

Thanks Bill!

 

Bill told me that 6 posts ago and I immediately ran out to try it. I have been told a few times it wouldn't, never actuallly tried it though. Turns out it did.