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Check Engine Light
We’ve all experienced the anxiety of the check engine light. You get in the car, put the key into the ignition, turn the switch and bring the engine to life, just as you’ve done thousands of times before. Out of nowhere, mysteriously sinking your heart a few inches into your stomach, blinking incessantly as if trying to mock you with an orange message of expensive foreboding disaster, the check engine light glares at you.
There’s no need to worry until you gather some information. There are many causes and potential reasons why that fluorescent demon on your dashboard decided to come to life. True, the dreaded check engine light could be the precursor for a serious mechanical issue; however, it could also be something as simple and innocuous as a loose gas cap.
To properly diagnose the problem or rather the cause of the check engine light, you must take your vehicle to a dealer or mechanic for a professional diagnosis. The sooner you do so the better. Once at the garage or dealership, the technician will be able to connect a computerized scanner to your vehicle to obtain the trouble codes stored within the system. The technician will then locate the corresponding codes in the service manual for your vehicle. The manual provides hundreds of possible codes with detailed descriptions and how to proceed in the diagnostic testing of the vehicle.
The codes themselves don’t determine exactly what parts are defective; they provide information as to where to look for the problem. They tell which engine parameter is outside of the normal range. This means that if anything is not 100 percent perfect under the hood, the check engine light will come on.
The truth of the matter is more often than not the check engine light does indicate repairs are necessary. The most common problem is emission control malfunctions. The emission control system keeps the air clean, meaning you will need to leave your vehicle with the mechanic to fix the issue.
This isn't to say you should believe that because the check engine light comes on you have an engine problem. Nor is the light always an indication of an emission control malfunction. There are many things that activate the check engine light. Other possibilities include a wet engine, a loose gas cap or bad spark plugs.
Many cars measure the amount of pressure building up inside the gas tank. This involves a network of complicated mathematical algorithms which track the specific style of how you drive and how much pressure is usually in the tank. An alarm is triggered when the pressure differs significantly from your normal driving habits. This means if the gas cap is not on properly or as tight as it should be, the engine senses something different and presumes there is a problem. Tighten the gas cap. Don’t worry if the check engine light doesn’t go off immediately; it may take up to a week or longer.
A wet engine can cause the check engine light to come on. A little rain can trigger the check engine light. If water drips onto a spark plug it can cause a short which will result in the warning light. Blasting water into all parts of the engine while washing the vehicle with high pressure water can the light to make an appearance. Try not to be so relentless with the water gun the next time you wash the car.
If your spark plug wires are in poor condition the check engine light can come on. When spark plugs age they often develop minuscule cracks capable of releasing small bursts of electricity. The electricity intended for the spark plug is decreased and the engine will misfire a little. Examine the wires of the spark plugs for small cracks and holes, particularly near the ends of the wires. If the wires look old or worn out they most likely need to be replaced. Check the spark plugs when the engine is turned off to avoid the possibility of electrocution. Electricution will definitely not shut off the check engine light nor make your afternoon any better.
There are many possible reason for your check engine light to come on and not all will ruin your day. Try not to worry too much until you get the situation professionally diagnosed.
There’s no need to worry until you gather some information. There are many causes and potential reasons why that fluorescent demon on your dashboard decided to come to life. True, the dreaded check engine light could be the precursor for a serious mechanical issue; however, it could also be something as simple and innocuous as a loose gas cap.
To properly diagnose the problem or rather the cause of the check engine light, you must take your vehicle to a dealer or mechanic for a professional diagnosis. The sooner you do so the better. Once at the garage or dealership, the technician will be able to connect a computerized scanner to your vehicle to obtain the trouble codes stored within the system. The technician will then locate the corresponding codes in the service manual for your vehicle. The manual provides hundreds of possible codes with detailed descriptions and how to proceed in the diagnostic testing of the vehicle.
The codes themselves don’t determine exactly what parts are defective; they provide information as to where to look for the problem. They tell which engine parameter is outside of the normal range. This means that if anything is not 100 percent perfect under the hood, the check engine light will come on.
The truth of the matter is more often than not the check engine light does indicate repairs are necessary. The most common problem is emission control malfunctions. The emission control system keeps the air clean, meaning you will need to leave your vehicle with the mechanic to fix the issue.
This isn't to say you should believe that because the check engine light comes on you have an engine problem. Nor is the light always an indication of an emission control malfunction. There are many things that activate the check engine light. Other possibilities include a wet engine, a loose gas cap or bad spark plugs.
Many cars measure the amount of pressure building up inside the gas tank. This involves a network of complicated mathematical algorithms which track the specific style of how you drive and how much pressure is usually in the tank. An alarm is triggered when the pressure differs significantly from your normal driving habits. This means if the gas cap is not on properly or as tight as it should be, the engine senses something different and presumes there is a problem. Tighten the gas cap. Don’t worry if the check engine light doesn’t go off immediately; it may take up to a week or longer.
A wet engine can cause the check engine light to come on. A little rain can trigger the check engine light. If water drips onto a spark plug it can cause a short which will result in the warning light. Blasting water into all parts of the engine while washing the vehicle with high pressure water can the light to make an appearance. Try not to be so relentless with the water gun the next time you wash the car.
If your spark plug wires are in poor condition the check engine light can come on. When spark plugs age they often develop minuscule cracks capable of releasing small bursts of electricity. The electricity intended for the spark plug is decreased and the engine will misfire a little. Examine the wires of the spark plugs for small cracks and holes, particularly near the ends of the wires. If the wires look old or worn out they most likely need to be replaced. Check the spark plugs when the engine is turned off to avoid the possibility of electrocution. Electricution will definitely not shut off the check engine light nor make your afternoon any better.
There are many possible reason for your check engine light to come on and not all will ruin your day. Try not to worry too much until you get the situation professionally diagnosed.
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