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 ...

Your vehicle has a problem if the check engine light (CEL) glows. Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the computer help find the cause.

It happens at the worst time - stuck in traffic or a long road trip - when you see that check engine light flick on. Here's why it may keep returning.

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 ...