CEL Can you get Codes without Scanner

Can you obtain the codes for the CEL without a scanner. I know some vehicles you can turn the key to the start position and watch the number of blinks of the CEL. I have a 1999 Ford Windstar that just started a terrible pinging sound and the CEL came on, and I can't drive it to AZ to get it checked. Thanks. Any help would be appreciated.
Randy

Sorry
You need an OBD II scan tool. Most Autozone stores will read them for free. I don't know if you have one in your area, but Kragen or Pep Boys may do the same. Post back if you can have them read.

If you do much maintenance at all on you vehicle a scan tool is very handy. Watch Ebay for OBD II scan tool. You should be able to buy a very basic one for around $50. If you want to spend more, there are applications that run on your laptop or PDA that scan and display many other parameters.

You'll need a scanner for all 1996 model year vehicles and newer, which is when the OBD-II interface standard was mandated. I can dump codes without a scanner on my '86 Mustang and '95 Contour - but not my '00 Windstar.

Yeah, it's convenient to get the codes this way on older cars - but OBD-II offers far more diagnostic capabilities than were available with older systems.

Regarding pinging and Windstars: It's almost certain to be the infamous isolator bolt problem, which is very common on some model year Windstars, including the '99. I had the same problem; performing the procedure outline in the leckemby.net document (much referenced on this side; search for it) solved the problem. It's a reasonable DIY job if you're familiar with basic automotive repair techniques and aren't afraid to get a little dirty.

Later edit... Just saving you a search: http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html

I did borrow a scanner from Autozone, cost 170 but I get it back upon return. The fault code was for a misfire on cylinder 4. I removed the valve cover to find a collapsed valve spring and a valve keeper had come out of the valve retainer.

Parts are on order-- any chance this is the extent of the problem or am I probably looking at a tear down? The valve stem and push rod look in good shape from what I can see.

Thanks

Hmmm - I wasn't expecting this. I've never heard of a valve spring problem like this on a 3.8. In general, my experience with these engines has been that the internals (crank, con rods, pistons, cams, etc.) are pretty robust.

Do you know the history of this engine? How many miles are on it? Any reason to think someone else might have been in there before? Any other signs of problems elsewhere (i.e., do engine oil and coolant look good)? If all else looks good, I'd fix the spring and keeper - and put it back together and see how it does.

BTW, the spring explains the misfire - but not the pinging. If the spring/keeper takes care of the misfire and it runs OK - but continues to ping - I'd still look at the isolator bolt fix.

It has 66k on it and I don't know the history. I have only had the van since April. It doesn't look like anyone has been in it, but there is really no telling. Once I get the parts I will provide an update on the sound. Thanks

You'll need a scanner for all 1996 model year vehicles and newer, which is when the OBD-II interface standard was mandated.

Some manufacturers continued to provide a mechanism to retrieve the codes even after 96/OBDII roll out. Nissan continued this on their vehicles until around the 2000 model year. Nice feature, just turn the screw on the computer and the CEL starts to blink out the codes. Unfortunately they've all gone away from that now because of the $$$$ from diagnostic fees they can charge.