If you're a personal user, knowing how to read and interpret OBD codes is a trick that's well worth having up your sleeve for those times when the Check Engine light in your car suddenly comes on ...

Did you use an OBD2 scanner on your car to figure out why the check engine light is on, only to get the P0303 code? Here's what it means, plus possible fixes.

The first step is to read the check engine light code provided by the car’s computer system. This is the information that’s been logged by the sensors in your engine. It can be read with OBD ...

How to get your OBD2 codes read at an auto parts store Many auto parts stores offer code readings as a free service. Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, and O’Reilly are among the stores that will.

Once in diagnostic mode, the computer flashes the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light (the specific name varies by year) in a fashion similar to Morse code.

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While your check engine light is obviously meant for engine issues, it can often give you clues to problems in other parts of the car as well.

In 2018 the two most common check engine repair codes were "replace ignition coil (s) and spark plug (s)" and "replace oxygen sensor" — each accounting for 5.8 percent of repairs.

While your check engine light is obviously meant for engine issues, it can often give you clues to problems in other parts of the car as well.