97 Disco: Where, oh where, has my ECU gone?

[bendrover]

Hi guys,
I'm relatively new here. I've been lurking and reading all of your posts for quite some time and have never really had the need to sign up and post. Plus I'm not too sure I can contribute any real knowledge yet, but I'm striving to learn more.
I have a Check Engine light issue, and I was looking to first try and reset it to see if it comes on again. So the first place I looked was under the passenger seat. Nothing there. Then I learned that it's probably over under and to the right of the steering column drivers side. Except all I find is the plug for it. When I remove the panel there is a series of wires, but I cannot for the life of me find where they run.
I'm pretty much a beginner when it comes to working on todays cars. About 15 years ago I rebuilt the engine on a Toyota with a friend's father who guided me along - who knew I should have retained that in my feeble mind? I was young, and stup-. Well you know.
Anyway I'm about to pull my hair out here. Just prior to this I learned I have to replace the shocks, brake pads, tires, and get passed NY inspection. I am currently running myself broke with this car, but like all of you I love it so much - it's been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Anyway now the Check Engine light is on and I'm terrified to learn what this particular problem may be.
Can someone direct me to the ECU please?
(and thanks for letting me introduce myself)
Andrew

 

[joey]

On your '97, the plug that is under the dash is what and where you need to go to check for engine codes. what you need is either a) drive by an autozone or advance auto or similar and ask them to check the engine codes. Write them down and let us know what they are, they (auto parts guy) may be nice and reset them once he is done.

Or b) you need to buy a code reader, not a bad idea with a disco. Either way, once you have the codes, we can help with how to fix them.

'96 and newer vehicles are OBDII compliant requiring a code reader. Older vehicles are OBDI and do not usually require code reader.

 

[bendrover]

Thanks, Joey. I will do that.
Andrew

 

[bendrover]

Actually come to think of it, any ideas where I can buy a OBDII code reader for a reasonable price? (I've got no problems with used either)
Andrew

 

[ColeCam]

I have seen them at autozone on sale for around $75

 

[bendrover]

hey is this too extreme?

http://www.autoenginuity.com/products-scantoolpc.html

Andrew

 

[bendrover]

so your saying buy something like the Equus OBD II Code Reader, and that combined with my codes from my Rave cd should be enough?
Andrew

 

[ColeCam]

It really depends on how technical you want to get, what features you would like seen and how much you enjoy playing with gadgets. Joey, I believe can monitor many different things on his vehicle, he has his hooked up to his laptop (please tell me if I'm wrong) and I just have a code reader (like Equus) just to read/reset codes. It depends on your interest level, but just get one that allows you to reset codes at the very least if you get one, most do.

 

[bendrover]

Thanks Cole, and yes I'm very gadget oriented. I would love the abilities of having it hooked up to my laptop, with some of those extra features to learn. I mean all of these computerized items in my car is something I need to learn right? Joey do you have any recs on where and what I should buy for my laptop? I saw these, and they seem to good to be true...

http://www.myscantool.com/order.html
(check out the interface; seems very beginner friendly)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4529484872&category=43989
(this one seems even better, just because of the $$)
It's home site is:
http://www.scantool.net/


The only difference between the two is the application software...and it seems that I need to spend equally to get similar software from the company Digimoto.
I just got a quick response from the creator of the ProScan app, which makes me feel good - having good tech support is a nice thing.

Thanks guys for all your input,
Andrew

 

[joey]

I have the Autoenginuity for pocketpc and for the pc.... I like them both very much.

Most of the time I use the pocketpc version (have a mount for the vent) I can view anything on the disco, and reset codes whenever needed. Once I upgrade my ECU, I am thinking of the laptop mount and putting my laptop to a better use.

I bought mine (autoenginuity) off of ebay, you get the same product, just without the pretty package and you get pdf instead of paper manual. Price was alot cheaper.