up to about 95 or 96 *depends on the make*, the scan port is located in the engine bay on the drivers side firewall/fender area. it will be a trapezoidal shaped plug, with a plastic cap on it saying something like, "scan port"
unplug this, hook up a compatable scan device.
when reading the codes, the CEL with flash a certain number of times. some scan tools display the codes with descriptions: others have you count the flashes.
OBDII-equipped models have the port located underneath the steering wheel/general area. there will *again* be a trapezoidal shaped plug with the plastic cap on it.