How to Read Codes With a Cheap OBD-II Scanner

What you need

Any car or light truck sold in the US from model year 1996 has an OBD-II port. A basic scanner or a Bluetooth adapter with a phone app can read the codes for a modest price.

Steps

1. Find the port, usually under the dashboard near the steering column.
2. With the ignition off, plug in the scanner.
3. Turn the key to on, or start the engine if your scanner says so.
4. Choose read codes. Write down every code, including pending codes.
5. Look up each code on FixOrPark.

Tips

• Do not clear codes before repair. You lose clues and will fail an emissions test until monitors complete.
• Freeze frame data shows conditions when the code set. Save it.
• Many parts stores read codes free of charge.