An OBD-II scan tool is an incredibly useful automotive diagnostic device, but it's not magic. Here's what it can and can't do ...

This article was updated in November 2025 with new information. You know you’ve earned your DIY stripes when you can stay calm the moment something goes wrong. And with cars, that moment usually ...

Q:I have a 1996 Corvette that gave me a recurring fault code (P0171 - "System Too Lean, Bank One") for more than a year. The code reader on my scanner indicated that the fuel pump was defective, so I ...

James, I have a 1988 Corvette Tuned Port Injection (TPI) that randomly sets a code 36: a mass airflow (MAF) sensor function fault. I have replaced the Electronic Control Module (ECM), the mass airflow ...

If you've ever gone to a mechanic for a check engine light problem on your car, then chances are you've heard the technician say something about an OBD scanner. It's a handheld phone-like device that ...