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Check Engine Light Guide
Front Royal Buick GMC
Check Engine Light Guide
What does is a Check Engine Light mean?
When the pesky yellow or orange light on your dashboard is on and you don't know what could be wrong, Front Royal has you covered. It's not always a pull over immediately and call a tow kind of situation. The Check Engine Light is a part of the onboard diagnostics system (OBD-II) that lets you know when something is being misfired or triggered in your car's engine.
Although the Check Engine Light doesn't tell you exactly what's wrong just by turning on, whether it's solid or blinking does tell you how important it is you get it checked out. When the Check Engine light stays on and solid, it can indicate anything from a loose gas cap to a transmission issue, so you have some time to get it checked out. A blinking Check Engine Light means you should find a safe place to stop, pull over, and contact your nearest service center. Continuing use of your vehicle could cause irreversible damage or very costly repairs.
Why is the Check Engine Light on?
Once a Check Engine Light appears on the dashboard of your car, it could be a guessing game to find out what caused it. You could either take it to a service center immeiately to have them diagnose the misfire code or try to figure it out yourself to figure out your next course of action. Below we list some of the most common reasons that trigger a Check Engine Light.
Loose or Missing Gas Cap
The gas cap can trigger a Check Engine Light if it is missing or loose. The gas cap prevents gas fumes from escaping into the air or your vehicle. Make sure your gas cap is tight to avoid any issues.
Oxygen Sensors
The oxygen sensor measures the amount of leftover oxygen from the combustion process in the exhaust. If sensors get covered with oil, dust, debris, or corrosion and simply fail, it can cause the sensor to send incorrect information to the electronic control unit, triggering the Check Engine Light.
Damaged Spark Plugs or Wires
Spark plugs provide the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture within an engine’s cylinders. Over time they will wear out and need replacing which can cause the engine to "misfire" and trigger a Check Engine Light.
Faulty Mass Air Flow Sensor
Your mass air flow sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine. The engine cannot run if it does not take in the right levels of air and fuel causing a Check Engine Light to appear on your dashboard.
Catalytic Converter Needs Replacement
The catalytic converter is an emission control device added to the engine exhaust system in order to help reduce hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen pollutants from the exhaust gas. When not functioning properly, it's possible for a catalytic converter to cause a Check Engine Light.
Broken Thermostat
The thermostat regulates the temperature of the engine coolant to maintain proper engine operating temperature. When your thermostat doesn;t respond to temperature conditions in your cooling system or gets stuck in either the open or closed position, it may cause a Check Engine Light to turn on. Ensure your thermostat is in good condition in order to prevent engine damage from excess heat.
How Do I Turn Off the Check Engine Light?
Now that you've learned about the various common causes of a Check Engine Light, it's time to let the factory-trained experts at Front Royal Buick GMC to diagnose the issue. Our technicians will inspect your vehicle and ensure you're ready to hit the road safetly.
Whether it's blinking or not, it's important to address a Check Engine Light as soon as possible to prevent serious damage to your vehicle. Inspect what you can and if it still doesn't turn off, you can count on the Front Royal Buick GMC service technicians to diagnose, repair, and keep your vehicle running like new. Schedule your service today!