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 ...

We've all been there—that pesky check engine light pops up on your dashboard. Instantly, thoughts of expensive mechanic bills, weeks of it being repaired in the garage, and inconveniences galore flash ...

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 ...

The Actron PocketScan is a good entry-level OBD code reader for the driveway mechanic.Actron The primary purpose of the OBD-II connection is for emissions testing, but one of the first and most ...

The check engine light is both a friend and foe. For those who take their cars to the shop for repairs, it’s a symbol of impending treachery and rising credit card bills. But to those who shoulder the ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Modern cars are technological marvels, and understanding what's happening under the hood has never been more important—or more ...

Plug in all the things.

Q How useful are the under-$100 scanners you see at the auto supply store? They make it sound like you can fix anything with them. — Gene Hammond A: The tools Gene is referring to are OBD-II scan ...