Before I figured out how to work on cars, onboard computer systems scared me. I’ve had no formal training, after all, so the idea of a car’s complex electricals and countless sensors made DIY work ...

The world of car diagnostics has changed a lot over the last 50 years. Back in the '70s and earlier, a mechanic's most valuable diagnostic tools were usually their eyes and ears. You could figure out ...

If you own a car built after 1996, it comes equipped with a second-generation onboard diagnostic (OBD or OBDII) system. These systems work together with the vehicle's primary computer or powertrain ...

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 ...

Imagine quickly diagnosing why your car's check engine light is on. A scan tool, also known as a trouble code reader, can ...

Your check engine light can come on a host of reasons, ranging from a loose gas cap to a faulty engine component. If you see a light illuminated on your dashboard, you can use an OBD2 scanner to ...

In 1976, Chrysler ushered in the computer engine management system era with their Electronic Lean Burn 400 4-bbl. This early computerized spark-advance control system was developed to make the engine ...

View post: Amazon Has a 5-Piece S-Style Wrench Set on Sale for $18, and It's a 'Must-Have for Any Mechanic' Something we all dread seeing is the check engine light popping up on our dash. Instead of ...

That 16-pin connector tucked beneath the dashboard of every car built after 1996 is one of the most underused tools available to everyday drivers. Most people encounter the OBD-II port only when a ...