Discover what an OBD2 scanner is and how to use it to diagnose and fix car problems before they escalate into major repairs.

Diagnosing automotive problems used to be much more challenging. A mechanic had to use all of their skills to pinpoint mechanical or electrical issues. Nowadays, you can diagnose many problems ...

What’s an OBD-II (sometimes alternatively referred to as OBD-2, and other times in either form absent the interstitial hyphen) scanner? Answering that question first requires an understanding of what ...

Neither black tape nor a magic marker is the solution when your car or truck's check-engine light comes on. When the light, which is shaped like the outline of an engine, illuminates, do not panic!

Whether you're an everyday driver or a pro technician, when your check engine light suddenly comes on the first step is to connect an OBD-II scanner. At Autoweek, we recommend everyone carry an OBD-II ...

What do you do when the "Check Engine" light comes on in your car? A lot of people just ignore it; after all, that sensor is notorious for lighting up for no reason. On the other hand, it could ...

This article was updated in August 2025 with new products and information. That little yellow check-engine light is sneaky. Most of the time, you forget it could be there. But when it detects an issue ...

H ave you ever looked under your car's steering wheel at all the wires, fuses, and plugs? If so, you might find an odd plug ...

An OBD2 scanner that can read your vehicle’s trouble codes is a critical tool for DIYers. But even if you don’t like turning wrenches yourself, it’s hugely helpful to be able to get an idea of what’s ...