Your checkbook can become a real problem while you drive. Engine light It can get worse. This can not only ruin your mood but also indicate serious issues with your car. Your check engine light could be on for a variety of reasons, but not all are alarming. The most common reason your check engine light will come on is because your gas cap has become loose. You can tighten your gas cap and go. If your check engine light comes on with other symptoms, such as decreased fuel economy, engine knocking, or worsening of the problem, you will need to have your car checked out by a mechanic. To avoid any further damage, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and get your car checked as soon as you can.
Car Repair: Why Your Check Engine Light On
Do you feel your stomach drop when your check engine light flashes on your dashboard every so often? If that makes your heart skip a beat to even contemplate, then you’re definitely not alone.
A lot of the worry comes from the fact that your check engine light covers so many different issues from the fairly lightweight (e.g., loose gap cap) to major league car repair issues (e.g., an engine that’s misfiring).
All Around Auto will take your vehicle in for you. Repair can help you determine the root problem is.
OBD-II Codes Quickly Diagnoses
Since the mid 1990s, (back when MTV still played music videos!) auto manufacturers have subsribed to a standardized method of listing car problems in general and check engine light issues in particular.
These standards are collectively known in the United States as OBD-II, which stands for on-board diagnostics. The funny thing is that the first iteration of on-board diagnostics would only provide an unsophisticated “error” message known as an “idiot light” if something went awry.
Since those days, things have improved a lot. The ASE-certified technicians at All Around Auto Repair use diagnostic tools (e.g., MaxScan) and a digital communications port to get real-time information about what’s potentially going wrong under the hood.
Technicians will inspect your vehicle’s steering column with high-tech diagnostic equipment to diagnose any car problems. There’s a OBD-II code for just about every one out there!
The check engine light – which could be orange, yellow, or even amber depending on your particular vehicle – could mean a variety of different things, but if the check engine light is blinking then that means you need to come in to All Around Auto Repair immediately for a check and car repairs.
Eight Common Check Engine Meanings
Presuming you’re not quite in dire straits yet, what could you check engine light mean if it simply stays on? In ascending order of cost and severity, the reasons the check engine lights stay on are:
-Loose cap on gas
-Evaporative emission purge control valve
The -Ingition coil must be replaced
-Thermostat must be replaced
-Oxygen sensor needs replacing
Mass airflow sensor
-Poor fuel injectors
Need to replace catalytic converter
As you can see, a lot of these problems will require car repair and aren’t necessarily intuitive to diagnose. When was the last time you saw someone slap their forehead and say, “of course, the evaporative emissions purge control valve!”.
Professional Diagnostics for Peace of Mind
These problems almost always require professional diagnosis. Although the check engine lights may temporarily go on for something minor like high humidity, car owners must not ignore any check engine lights that stay on or blink at their own risk.
Drivers often hide their heads in the sand, not wanting to think about the possible problem. People ignore the check engine lights because they fear high repair costs.
You must address problems as soon as possible
Here’s the thing, though: What often starts out as a relatively minor problem can devolve into a major headache if not dealt with by an experienced mechanic.
Spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 miles. Forgoing car repairs can lead to many unpleasant problems such as poor fuel economy and trouble accelerating. It may also cause difficulty getting your car started.
Don’t let a minor problem develop into a major headache. All Around Auto Repair will have ASE-certified technicians diagnose any auto problems quickly to prevent costly repairs later.