# OBD-II DTC Code Decoder & Repair Cost Lookup (`dataengineered/obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup`) Actor Decode check-engine trouble codes (SAE + OEM codes for 32 makes) into ranked repair plans: likely fixes with DIY difficulty, parts-cost ranges, labor hours, and step-by-step instructions. Powered by MechanicDB. - **URL**: https://apify.com/dataengineered/obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup.md - **Developed by:** [DataEngineered](https://apify.com/dataengineered) (community) - **Categories:** AI, Automation, Developer tools - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $0.10 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## OBD-II DTC Code Decoder & Repair Cost Lookup 🔧 **Turn check-engine trouble codes into ranked repair plans.** Feed this Actor a list of OBD-II DTC codes — `P0420`, `P0171`, or manufacturer-specific codes like `Ford:P1000` — and get back what each code means, the **3–5 most likely fixes ranked by probability**, a **DIY difficulty rating**, **aftermarket parts-cost ranges (USD)**, **labor-hour estimates**, **step-by-step instructions**, and matching **replacement parts** with catalog search URLs. Powered by **MechanicDB**: 15,886 verified codes (9,249 SAE-universal + 6,637 OEM across **32 makes**), 56,561 ranked repair procedures, 75,055 parts mappings — no scraping, no external calls, instant results. ### What this DTC decoder does - 🚗 **Decodes any OBD-II code** — SAE-universal (P0xxx, P2xxx, B0/C0/U0…) and **manufacturer-specific** codes (P1xxx and friends) for Ford, Toyota, BMW, the GM marques, VW/Audi, Honda/Acura, Mercedes-Benz, and 20+ more. - 🎯 **Make-aware, never guessing** — the same P1xxx number means different things on different brands. An OEM code without a make returns the **list of makes that define it**, not a guess. - 🧰 **Ranked repair ladder** — rank 1 = the most common root cause first, so you check the $10 fix before the $1,500 one. - 💰 **Cost intelligence** — parts-cost min/max (USD) and labor hours per fix (editorial estimates for US aftermarket parts and independent-shop labor). - 🔩 **Parts included** — 1–3 aftermarket parts per fix with ready-made catalog search URLs. - ⚡ **Offline & deterministic** — the dataset ships inside the Actor; a 100-code batch decodes in seconds. ### Output — one row per (code, ranked fix) | Field | Description | | :--- | :--- | | `dtc_code`, `oem_make`, `scope` | The code, its make (empty for SAE-universal), `sae`/`oem` | | `short_description` | What the code means | | `detailed_technical_explanation` | How the ECM detects it and what typically causes it | | `fault_family`, `system_category` | Diagnosis grouping + Powertrain/Chassis/Body/Network | | `probability_rank`, `fix_title` | 1 = most likely root cause | | `difficulty_level` | `Easy DIY` / `Moderate DIY` / `Professional Required` | | `est_parts_cost_min_usd`, `est_parts_cost_max_usd`, `est_labor_hours` | Cost matrix | | `step_by_step_instructions` | ` • `-separated repair steps | | `parts`, `parts_names` | Aftermarket parts + catalog search URLs | | `found`, `reason`, `makes_with_this_code` | Honest misses: invalid codes and make-ambiguous OEM codes explain themselves | | `dataset_version`, `source` | Provenance | Export as **CSV, JSON, Excel, or via API**. ### Input ```json { "codes": ["P0420", "P0171", "P0300", "Ford:P1000", "Toyota:P1155"], "make": "", "onlyTopFix": false, "includeParts": true } ```` Set `make` (e.g. `"Ford"`) to apply one vehicle make to every un-prefixed code, or prefix per code (`"BMW:P1083"`). `onlyTopFix` returns just the rank-1 repair per code. ### Use cases - **OBD-II scanner apps & dongles** — code → explanation → ranked fixes without building a database. - **Repair-estimate and shop software** — difficulty, parts-cost, and labor-hour matrices per code. - **AI mechanic co-pilots / RAG** — structured, provenance-tracked diagnostic context. - **Fleet triage** — batch-decode fault lists and sort by cost or difficulty. ### FAQ **Where does the data come from?** Code-to-definition mappings are compiled from an MIT-licensed SAE J2012-derived public compilation (attribution preserved); explanations, ranked fixes, difficulty tiers, and cost estimates are MechanicDB's original editorial content, built by a deterministic, test-gated pipeline with anti-template and no-fabricated-codes gates. **Are the costs quotes?** No — they're editorial estimates for typical US aftermarket parts and independent-shop labor, meant for triage and ballparking. **What about codes the dataset doesn't have?** You still get a row: `found: false` with the reason, and for make-ambiguous OEM codes, the list of makes that do define it. **Can I get the whole thing as a ready-made dataset?** Yes — the full MechanicDB (CSV + Parquet + SQLite, commercial license, instant download) is available at **[mechanicdb-public.pages.dev](https://mechanicdb-public.pages.dev/)**, with a free 90-code sample on [GitHub](https://github.com/MechanicDB/MechanicDB-public) and [Kaggle](https://www.kaggle.com/datasets/ahtiticheamine/mechanicdb-automotive-obd2-repair-database). ⚠️ **Safety:** repair steps are educational reference material, not a substitute for the vehicle manufacturer's service manual. High-voltage (hybrid/EV) and SRS/airbag procedures must only be performed by qualified technicians. *** *Keywords: OBD-II decoder, DTC lookup, check engine light, trouble code database, car diagnostic API, P0420 fix, repair cost estimate, automotive repair data, OEM diagnostic codes, mechanic API.* # Actor input Schema ## `codes` (type: `array`): OBD-II trouble codes, e.g. P0420. For manufacturer-specific codes, prefix the make with a colon (Ford:P1360) or set the default make below — the same P1xxx number means different things on different brands. ## `make` (type: `string`): Applied to codes without a make prefix when they fall in a manufacturer-controlled range (P1xxx, C1/C2, B1/B2, U1/U2, P30-P33). E.g. Ford, Toyota, BMW. 32 makes supported. ## `onlyTopFix` (type: `boolean`): Return just the rank-1 repair instead of the full 3-5 fix ladder. ## `includeParts` (type: `boolean`): Attach aftermarket part names and catalog search URLs to each fix. ## Actor input object example ```json { "codes": [ "P0420", "P0171", "P0300", "Ford:P1000" ], "onlyTopFix": false, "includeParts": true } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "codes": [ "P0420", "P0171", "P0300", "Ford:P1000" ], "make": "" }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("dataengineered/obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "codes": [ "P0420", "P0171", "P0300", "Ford:P1000", ], "make": "", } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("dataengineered/obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "codes": [ "P0420", "P0171", "P0300", "Ford:P1000" ], "make": "" }' | apify call dataengineered/obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=dataengineered/obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "OBD-II DTC Code Decoder & Repair Cost Lookup", "description": "Decode check-engine trouble codes (SAE + OEM codes for 32 makes) into ranked repair plans: likely fixes with DIY difficulty, parts-cost ranges, labor hours, and step-by-step instructions. Powered by MechanicDB.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "0jmGA0962dUWRGE9s" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/dataengineered~obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-dataengineered-obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/dataengineered~obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-dataengineered-obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/dataengineered~obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-dataengineered-obd2-dtc-code-repair-lookup", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "codes" ], "properties": { "codes": { "title": "DTC codes to decode", "type": "array", "description": "OBD-II trouble codes, e.g. P0420. For manufacturer-specific codes, prefix the make with a colon (Ford:P1360) or set the default make below — the same P1xxx number means different things on different brands.", "default": [ "P0420" ], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "make": { "title": "Default vehicle make (for OEM codes)", "type": "string", "description": "Applied to codes without a make prefix when they fall in a manufacturer-controlled range (P1xxx, C1/C2, B1/B2, U1/U2, P30-P33). E.g. Ford, Toyota, BMW. 32 makes supported." }, "onlyTopFix": { "title": "Only the most likely fix per code", "type": "boolean", "description": "Return just the rank-1 repair instead of the full 3-5 fix ladder.", "default": false }, "includeParts": { "title": "Include replacement parts", "type": "boolean", "description": "Attach aftermarket part names and catalog search URLs to each fix.", "default": true } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```