We began our deep dive into the history of on-board diagnostics last week. OBD began in earnest on the 1967 Volkswagen Type 3 ...

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 ...

It is obvious—painfully so, to some—that vehicles have become considerably more dependent on electronics. We are all aware that performance gains on our new cars often aren't as easily obtainable as ...

I was recently at a seminar going over some diagnostics for some of the problematic and reoccurring fault codes. The general discussion led us in an interesting direction about the nature of fault ...

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 ...

For some time now, vehicles sold across the world have had the ability to self diagnose their problems. This capacity is referred to in the industry as on-board diagnostics, or OBD. On-board computers ...

Seeing your vehicle's check-engine light come on can throw a wrench in your travel plans. It can also feel a little scary: Does it mean your ride is headed for the scrapyard? Or is there a simple fix?

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 ...

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 ...

The modern automobile contains many complex systems, and is designed to identify its own issues as they arise via on-board ...