You cannot get the OBDII codes without using a code reader

What the Check Engine Light Means?
The "check engine" light is part of your car's so-called onboard diagnostics (OBD) system. When it finds a problem in the electronic-control system that it can't correct, the computer turns on a yellow warning indicator that's labeled "check engine," "service engine soon" or "check powertrain" or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, known as the International Check Engine Symbol, perhaps with the word "Check." In addition to turning on the light, the computer stores a "trouble code" in its memory that identifies the source of the problem, such as a malfunctioning sensor or a misfiring engine. The code can be read with an electronic scan tool or a diagnostic computer, standard equipment in auto repair shops. There are also a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers.

Exactly what the OBD system looks for depends on the make, model and year. The original systems varied widely in their capabilities. Some did little more than check whether the various electronic sensors and actuators were hooked up and working.

DIY fault code scanner vehicle coverage
Most of trouble code reader is specially designed to work with all OBD II compliant vehicles, including those equipped with the next-generation protocol- Control Areal Network (CAN). It is required by EPA that all 1996 and newer vehicles (cars and light trucks) sold in the United States must be OBD-II compliant and this includes all domestic, Asian and European vehicles. A small number of 1994 and 1995 model year gasoline vehicles are OBD-II compliant.
For your vehicle to be OBD-II compliant it must have a 16 pin DLC (Data Link Connector) under the dash and the Vehicle Emissions Control Information label must state that the vehicle is OBD-II compliant.

Hand-held (stand-alone) scan tool advantages
Scan tools come in many shapes and sizes, but there are two basic types: stand alone and PC based. As the name suggests, stand alone scan tools do not require a computer, they typically have a small screen with minimalistic interface, or called as handheld scanner, which is most popular in do-it-yourselfers, compared to the windows-based scan tool, it is much more easy-to-use and cheap.

List of fault code scanner Brand Name

Among a number of OBDII fault code scanner, we may find the obdii code scanner in the market share many commons in functions and shapes. But we also should notice that there are several well-known brand scanners such as: maxiscan code reader, autel code reader, memoscan code reader, xtool scanner, autosnap scanner, V-Checker, ELM327 and more. Come to the specific OBDII scanners, you may know any of the following scanners: V-CHECKER V401,V-CHECKER V201, Autosnap EBS601, Autosnap CR802, Autosnap A810,Memoscan U585,memoscan U480,MaxiScan EU702,Xtool PS100, etc. want to learn more at: http://www.uobd2.com/wholesale/obd2-code-scanner/
http://www.uobd2.com/wholesale/obd2-code-scanner/