Do I need an OBD-II scanner to use AutoClarity?

No. The guided questions work from what you describe and can see. Some tests later in a diagnosis ask for a basic tool such as a digital multimeter, and the app explains exactly what to do or how to pause and come back.

Is there a free demo?

Yes. The demo walks through a simulated starting problem, clearly labelled as a simulation, with no account or payment required.

Can AutoClarity tell me exactly what is wrong with my car?

It narrows down possible causes from the evidence you provide and tells you plainly whether a cause is suspected, supported or still unconfirmed. It does not replace a physical inspection, and it will say when a test is still needed.

Can AutoClarity review a repair estimate?

Yes. The AI Repair Advocate explains what each line of a repair estimate covers, how the charges break down, and what questions are worth asking before you approve the work. A basic explanation is free, an AI review is $24.99, and a written professional second opinion from a GG Motorworks mechanic is $79.99.

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Symptoms

Car symptom checker: start from what the car is doing

Drivers describe problems, not systems. This page turns a symptom into the system it belongs to, the causes that are genuinely common, and the first check worth making — before you buy anything.

Run a guided diagnosis for my symptom Try the free demo

How to use this page

Pick the group that matches what your car is doing, read the guide for that symptom, then run the guided diagnosis if you want the specific tests for your vehicle. A guide explains the possibilities; the guided process narrows them using your answers.

No symptom list can confirm a fault on its own. Treat this as a map of where to look, not a verdict.

Starting and electrical

Warning lights and engine running problems

Temperature and cooling

Shaking, vibration and noise

Estimates, costs and repair decisions

When a symptom is an emergency

A flashing check engine light, especially with a loss of power: stop driving where it is safe to do so.
Brake pedal to the floor, pulling brakes, or a grinding noise: do not continue.
Steering that feels loose or locks: stop and call for recovery.
Visible or smelled fuel, smoke, or an overheating gauge in the red: stop and get help.

Common questions

Is this a real diagnostic scan?

No. It is a guide to what symptoms usually indicate and which checks are relevant. A scan tool reads the vehicle’s computer, and the guided diagnosis builds evidence from your answers rather than connecting to the car.

Can I find my exact car model here?

The symptom guides are not model-specific, because the same symptom has different likely causes on different vehicles. The guided diagnosis uses your year, make, model and mileage to make its question set applicable.

What if my symptom is not listed?

Describe it in your own words in the guided diagnosis. The complaint is classified into a system first, and if it points to a safety system you are told to use a qualified shop instead of continuing.

Run a guided diagnosis for my symptom

Free guidance and a free interactive demo need no account. Paid reviews are separate, clearly priced, and never charged without you starting checkout yourself.