Other than the time I got a CEL for the MAF being dirty, I've never thrown a code ... in the VX (knock on wood) ... the Eclipse is another matter entirely.
I keep a reader in the Eclipse alla time because I get a low temp code almost weekly & a CEL for misfire once in a blue moon. I can read and clear codes on the fly without being distracted now (at least no more so than screening calls on my cell). Plug that bad boy in by feel, push the left button for 10 sec, wait 10 sec, push the right button for 10 sec, release and push again. When CEL goes out, pull the cord & toss in back seat.
Maybe you need to get the scanguage that stores the codes on your smartphone in case that ever happens again.