How to Use an OBD-II Scan Tool

With car computers doing so much heavy lifting these days, knowing how to use a hand-held scanning tool to communicate with it is important. Popular Mechanics associate auto editor Ben Wojdyla explains:

* How the onboard diagnostic system works
* Plugging into the car's computer system
* Using a standard type scanner
* The next generation apps on your phone

Connect with Ben Wojdyla:

Connect To Popular Mechanics:

Connect to Car and Driver:

Who says you can't work on your own car anymore? Follow Popular Mechanics associate auto editor Ben Wojdyla as he leads viewers, step by step, through repairs, upgrades, and troubleshooting tips. Got car questions? Email Ben, and he may answer them on the show.

[alonzomart]

The does not try to be funny or goof around, he just give you straight talk about the obd scan tool, good video.

[casualluke]

Wish I could get plugged in to see what’s wrong with me 😅😁

[bottmar]

The more I read and watch videos about fuel injection testing and repair the more I appreciate my collector cars and motorcycles with carburetors as I never had to Google anything to repair them the last fifty years. Just learning about code readers and how to diagnose fuel injection is harder and more involved than any repairs needed on my old cars and motorcycles.

[jasonnaylor]

Well done.  All I wanted was to see an overview of how to use the diag tool, and this is the best video I have come across.

[airsearch]

Informative, quick, and with excellent audio and video quality. Thank you!

[pita-bwcy]

Great video - straight to the point - On my way to purchase one right now

[deangelosmith]

"Its a really easy process you just wait for the computer to do its work🙄"

I felt like that son who didnt listen to his dad the 1st time he showed him 😂😂
Great video though👍🏽

[glossfx]

Awesome video and presentation. Learned a lot about the onboard diagnostics! Thanks buddy.

[Kei-Kei]

Not the EZ Scan 6000 🤣 What a time to be alive! But seriously thanx for the information.

[jamescarlisle]

My new ODB II scanner, goes through the routines on connecting, but at the end it says :\"Link Error". What do I do?

[klogjo]

Thank you for your video, short and sweet to the point

[imeverblessed]

you are very thorough in you instructions. thank you

[AdelleRamcharan]

Thanks for this. Can't believe how tricky it was to try and do this with just the written instructions!

[rupertpupkin]

Great video and thank you for sharing your knowledge.

I am looking to buy a used car and want to take a scanner with me.

I didn't know they makes apps for your smartphone.

I have an iPhone 6 Plus.

What app do you recommend I use and where do I purchase a cord to hook my phone up to the car ?

Thank you again and I look forward to hearing from you soon !

🙂

[therealsocialgadfly]

Thanks millions! I just bought a scanner and am beginning to familiarize myself with it. Your vid has helped point me in the right direction. Just wish I'd known there was an app for that. LOL

Thanks again.

[boomcity]

Excellent, simple to follow explanation. Thank You!

[crabapple]

around 2:24 you say that it could be a problem with the way the fuel system is detecting or the way it's working. I suppose that means the way the O2 sensor is either Reading, or Sending info, (not sure which, please clarify), or the way the fuel sys. is working, like maybe clogged fuel injectors ?
Any clarification about these points would be helpful.

[luke]

hey this video was uploaded on my 10th birthday

[kelqrev]

I'm a new guy here, and I want to know more about this diagnosis scan machine. Can you please help me out.

And what is the process you can take me through before teaching me about this machine.

[joangibb]

They're located in different places in all vehicles. It would be nice to tell us what make and year this vehicle is.