Check Engine Light Guide
Ed Morse Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Check Engine Light Guide
What does is a Check Engine Light mean?
We all know how frusterating the guessing game is when the yellow light starts flashing on your dashboard. The Check Engine light is a part of the onboard diagnostics system (OBD-II).
Whether your Check Engine light is solid or blinking, its important to know the difference. A solid Check Engine light can indicate anything from a loose gas cap to a transmission issue. A solid light means your should get your car diagnosed at your earliest convenience. A blinking Check Engine light means you should not keep driving your vehicle, it's an emergency. Continuing use of your vehicle could cause irreversible damage. We recommend to find a safe place to stop and pull over, and contact a your nearest Service Center.
Why is the Check Engine Light on?
Once a Check Engine Light appears on the dashboard of your car, you're probably going to wonder what caused it. There are numerous reasons as to why it could be on, from minor issues to serious ones. Below we list some of the most common reasons that trigger a Check Engine Light.
Loose or Missing Gas Cap
You know your gas cap, it's responsible for sealing your fuel tank, preventing gas fumes from escaping into the air or your vehicle. If your gas cap is loose or missing altogether, it can trigger a Check Engine Light when the fuel system tests itself to insure it is "sealed". Make sure your gas cap is tight to avoid any issues.
Emissions-Related Sensors
The Oxygen Sensor, also called an O2 Sensor, relays important information to your car's Electronic Control Unit. Sensors can get covered with oil, dust, debris, or corrosion and simply fail. This can cause the sensor to send incorrect information to the ECU, triggering the Check Engine Light.
Damaged Spark Plugs or Wires
Spark plugs are responsible to start-up the combustion that the necessary to start your car, putting the right pistons in motion for proper air-fuel mixture and smooth operation. 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 to determine how much fuel is needed to run your engine efficiently. The engine cannot run if it does not take in the right levels of air and fuel. A faulty mass air flow sensor can cause a Check Engine Light.
Catalytic Converter Needs Replacement
The catalytic converter helps minimize the amount of exhause gases from your car by converting harmful carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. When not functioning properly, it's possible for a catalytic converter to cause a Check Engine Light.
Broken Thermostat
The thermostat of your vehicle's engine helps manage operating temperatures to avoid overheating.When your thermostat doesn;t respond to temperature conditions in your cooling system, it may cause a Check Engine Light to turn on. It's important to ensure your thermostat is in good condition in order to prevent engine damage from excess heat.
How to 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 Ed Morse Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Muscatine, IA diagnose the issue. Our technicians are ready to get you back on the road.
It's important to address a Check Engine Light as soon as possible in order to prevent serious damage to your vehicle. You can count on the Ed Morse service technicians to diagnose, repair, and keep your vehicle running like new. Schedule your service today!