Check Engine Light On? Troubleshoot It Yourself

Few things in life are more annoying than that obtuse "Check Engine" light on your car. Every time I see it I have the urge to pop the hood and check if, indeed, the engine is still in the car.

"Check Engine" usually means a pricey trip to a mechanic, but Steve Olson offers us an alternative, courtesy of years of pinching pennies when it comes to auto repair. His solution: Take your car to an auto parts shop and see if they'll hook up a diagnostic tool to the car to tell you what's going on. In the case of one of Olson's trips: "Check Engine" actually meant "loose gas cap." Thousands of dollars saved.

If you're more of a do-it-yourself'er, you can actually save the trip to Pep Boys (and the embarrassment) by purchasing the tool these guys use to diagnose what those warning lights mean. The AutoXray CodeScout product line is suitable for novices and experts alike. Just plug the tool into the OBD-II port (most cars since 1996 use this port) under the dashboard and fire up the tool. In seconds you'll know what's wrong. The high-end CodeScout 1500 runs about $180. The CodeScout 700 is a simpler device which costs about $80.

Both make an elegant, high-tech solution to a notoriously cryptic and expensive issue. Give one to your gearhead spouse so next time he opens the hood to troubleshoot your ride, he'll be able to say "Well here's your problem..." and actually know what he's talking about.