Okay - here comes another dumb question. I have noticed a number of posts where somebody says that have a code and then ask what it means. My question - won't the device that reads the code also give you what the code means and or is there a way to read the code directly from the truck without a scanner or computer?

 

No and No. Most code readers do just that, read the code. There is typically some generic coded description.

Like an EGR code might come up with P0403 EGR INSUFF FLOW standing for insufficient flow. Even if it did, it doesn't always explain the whole problem. One code could be a few different things too.