Check engine- whats the story

[Archive]

Please explain the "check engine" light and how to get rid of it. I own the manual and I do most of my own maintenance. Is there something I need to take it in for?
Thanks

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1998 Dodge Ram 2500, 4 WD, White, Club cab, 12v Cummins, Automatic, Long bed, 3. 54 gears w/limited slip, Premium sounds, Rancho 9000 shocks, Chrome nerf bars, larger load E tires.

 

[Archive]

The check engine light on the 12 valve motors is only a sentry to alert you to an out of spec occurance on the transmission or engine. The PCM does not have any engine control on the 12 valve engines. It is usually ,but not always, associated with a hard code that is set in the PCM. <like egr solonoid failure or transmission lock up circuit out of spec>
On my 97 you can access the codes by cycling the key switch on-off, on-off, on-off, on, within 5 seconds and reading the code as seen by the check engine light. I do not know if you can access the codes this way with your 98 though... you may need a DRB scan tool.
-Paul R. Haller-