Why is my Check Engine Light on?
If your check engine light is on that means something has gone wrong and your car is warning you. Here are some frequently asked questions on check engine lights and what they could mean.
What is the check engine light meaning?
Your car’s dashboard warning lights are sensors linked to a computer that signals when something is wrong. Your car gets a signal and turns this light on. When you bring your vehicle to Truman’s our mechanic will hook up your car to a computer and run diagnostics to determine what engine code the engine light is. This is not always a straightforward answer, often times it will tell you the area where the problem is occurring. It’s up to a skilled technician to determine what parts need to be replaced to try to resolve the issue.
It’s NOT a maintenance-required light. This is a warning that something is wrong.
The most common reasons for a check engine light include:
- Bad Gas
- Damaged Oxygen sensor ( O2 Sensors )
- Damagned airflow sensor
- Bad spark plugs
- Bad spark plug wires
- Bad ignition Coils
- Loose Gas Cap
- Engine Issues
- Transmission Issues
- Ignition coil failure
- Broken Timing Chain
- Broken Catalytic Converter
- Radiator Issues
- Alternator Issues
- Engine Misfiring
What does the check engine light look like?
Most vehicles have an odd box shape that looks like an engine. Others might have the words service engine soon. Here’s a picture of a check engine light:
How can I tell how bad the dashboard warning light is?
Depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle you might notice the check engine light goes from a yellow to orange, and red color. This is a level indicating the severity of the warning. Flashing is an indicator of time-sensitive severity. Flashing is never a good sign. You’ll probably need to move things around in your schedule and get your car to Truman’s Automotive & ADAS Calibrations today or an auto shop near you.
Can I drive with my dashboard warning light on?
It’s a Bad Time
No, timing isn’t ideal when your check engine light is on. However, you have the most control over time and cost before it breaks rather than after.
Get it to our Auto Shop ASAP
When you continue to drive with your check engine light on you risk parts or engine failure. If you’re lucky it’s related to bad gas and the tank needs to be cleaned of impurities, if you’re unlucky you’re driving with a time limit before the broken engine or part fails.
Expensive damages can be prevented
Overall we’ve seen people who could’ve prevented an engine replacement if they had followed the caution warning of the check engine light sensor. One example of a worst-case scenario is an ignored timing chain. If you ignore the timing chain and it gets metal into your engine you could be looking at an engine replacement. While it might’ve only seemed like a rattling noise and a glowing check engine light.
Truman’s Automotive & ADAS Calibrations is here to help with your engine problems.
Our team at Trumans gives free estimates and explains what engine codes your check engine light is pulling. We’ll tell you if this is something you need fixed today or something that can be scheduled at your convenience.