Everything in life's been going so good lately, until...
You get in your car and turn it on only to find that the pesky "check engine soon" light is on. What do you do?
- Ignore it and hope it doesn't go off the next time you drive the car?
- Quickly shut off the car and turn it back on while squinting your eyes just hoping that the light is off?
I must admit I've tried both of these options in the past but I don't anymore. Instead, I instantly contact a car mechanic and schedule an appointment to get the car looked at.
If you're still thinking that one of the first two options is a better way to handle this problem, you should really think twice about this, and I'll explain why.
Why Cars Have this Light
Every single car built from January 1, 1996, has something called an on-board diagnostic system, now called an OBD-II. If your car has a check engine light in it, it has an OBD-II.
The purpose of this system is to force the light on when the system detects problems with the car's engine. The good news is that the system often detects problems long before the car owner even senses that there are issues.
When you see this light illuminated in your car, it will either stay on permanently until you get the problem fixed or the light reset, or it will blink continuously.
If the light is a solid light that stays on, it means that the system in your car detected a problem that is either minor or somewhat serious.
When this light blinks on and off continuously, it indicates there is a major problem with your car's engine. You can possibly wait to get repairs if you have a solid light but you should not wait too long to get repairs if the light is blinking.
How an Auto Repair Shop Uses the Light to Find the Problem
To find out why the light is on in your car, a mechanic will attach a machine to a port inside your car. This machine is often called an OBD-II code reader.
Once it is connected to your car, the mechanic will start your vehicle and will allow the code reader to scan the system. A complete scan normally takes just a minute or two.
When complete, the code reader will produce a reading made up of codes. There are currently more than 3,000 different codes and each has a specific meaning.
The codes detected from the scan reveal precise problems with the car's engine and diagnostics, and the codes that come up in your car's scan offer a good starting place for the mechanic to use when diagnosing the problem.
Does the Check Engine Soon Light Indicate a Major Problem Every Time?
Not necessarily. In fact, most of the top reasons a check engine light turns on are due to minor issues detected in your car. Here are some examples of minor issues that could explain why the light is on in your car:
- Bad oxygen sensor
- Loose gas cap
- Faulty emissions purge solenoid
- Worn-out thermostat
Most of these problems are not overly costly to repair yet they are important to fix.
So you're probably hoping that the light in your car is due to one of these issues, and it might be. But, there are also times when the light represents a much bigger issue.
For example, a check engine light can turn on when the catalytic converter in the vehicle is acting up and needs to be fixed or replaced.
If your car has a bad catalytic converter, it could cause your engine to run poorly and greatly decrease your car's gas mileage. You'd also have a rough time passing an emissions test on the car.
I should tell you too that there is always a chance that the light means nothing. If this is the case, that's good news for you. You could save some money and have nothing to worry about in your car at this time.
Reasons to Get Your Car Checked Out Soon
Even though most of the causes for the light coming on are not overly major, they are all still important repairs to have completed.
The types of issues that cause the light to come on are primarily related to the functions of your vehicle's engine and performance. If there is even a small problem in your car's engine, it can affect the following things:
- The way your car drives
- The sounds coming from your car
- The gas mileage
- The emissions your car gives off
- The safety of your car
- The smells coming from your car
Small issues do not just stay small, either. If you ignore a problem, it could affect other parts of your car. When this happens, your repair bill may significantly increase.
One other thing to consider is the risks you take with driving a car that has the check engine light on. What if the problem is serious? Are you willing to take the risk of getting stranded somewhere simply because you ignored the light?
This light is a vital part of your car, and it's there for a lot of good reasons. You should think about this next time you're considering ignoring it.
We Can Help You Diagnose and Repair the Problem
Now, do you see why it's never a good idea to ignore your check engine soon light? If so, we can help.
You can read our blog to learn more about engine problems and repairs, or you can give us a call to schedule services for your car.
Did your check engine soon light go off? Here is everything you need to know about why you shouldn't ignore this message.
Everything in life's been going so good lately, until...
You get in your car and turn it on only to find that the pesky "check engine soon" light is on. What do you do?
- Ignore it and hope it doesn't go off the next time you drive the car?
- Quickly shut off the car and turn it back on while squinting your eyes just hoping that the light is off?
I must admit I've tried both of these options in the past but I don't anymore. Instead, I instantly contact a car mechanic and schedule an appointment to get the car looked at.
If you're still thinking that one of the first two options is a better way to handle this problem, you should really think twice about this, and I'll explain why.
Why Cars Have this Light
Every single car built from January 1, 1996, has something called an on-board diagnostic system, now called an OBD-II. If your car has a check engine light in it, it has an OBD-II.
The purpose of this system is to force the light on when the system detects problems with the car's engine. The good news is that the system often detects problems long before the car owner even senses that there are issues.
When you see this light illuminated in your car, it will either stay on permanently until you get the problem fixed or the light reset, or it will blink continuously.
If the light is a solid light that stays on, it means that the system in your car detected a problem that is either minor or somewhat serious.
When this light blinks on and off continuously, it indicates there is a major problem with your car's engine. You can possibly wait to get repairs if you have a solid light but you should not wait too long to get repairs if the light is blinking.
How an Auto Repair Shop Uses the Light to Find the Problem
To find out why the light is on in your car, a mechanic will attach a machine to a port inside your car. This machine is often called an OBD-II code reader.
Once it is connected to your car, the mechanic will start your vehicle and will allow the code reader to scan the system. A complete scan normally takes just a minute or two.
When complete, the code reader will produce a reading made up of codes. There are currently more than 3,000 different codes and each has a specific meaning.
The codes detected from the scan reveal precise problems with the car's engine and diagnostics, and the codes that come up in your car's scan offer a good starting place for the mechanic to use when diagnosing the problem.
Does the Check Engine Soon Light Indicate a Major Problem Every Time?
Not necessarily. In fact, most of the top reasons a check engine light turns on are due to minor issues detected in your car. Here are some examples of minor issues that could explain why the light is on in your car:
- Bad oxygen sensor
- Loose gas cap
- Faulty emissions purge solenoid
- Worn-out thermostat
Most of these problems are not overly costly to repair yet they are important to fix.
So you're probably hoping that the light in your car is due to one of these issues, and it might be. But, there are also times when the light represents a much bigger issue.
For example, a check engine light can turn on when the catalytic converter in the vehicle is acting up and needs to be fixed or replaced.
If your car has a bad catalytic converter, it could cause your engine to run poorly and greatly decrease your car's gas mileage. You'd also have a rough time passing an emissions test on the car.
I should tell you too that there is always a chance that the light means nothing. If this is the case, that's good news for you. You could save some money and have nothing to worry about in your car at this time.
Reasons to Get Your Car Checked Out Soon
Even though most of the causes for the light coming on are not overly major, they are all still important repairs to have completed.
The types of issues that cause the light to come on are primarily related to the functions of your vehicle's engine and performance. If there is even a small problem in your car's engine, it can affect the following things:
- The way your car drives
- The sounds coming from your car
- The gas mileage
- The emissions your car gives off
- The safety of your car
- The smells coming from your car
Small issues do not just stay small, either. If you ignore a problem, it could affect other parts of your car. When this happens, your repair bill may significantly increase.
One other thing to consider is the risks you take with driving a car that has the check engine light on. What if the problem is serious? Are you willing to take the risk of getting stranded somewhere simply because you ignored the light?
This light is a vital part of your car, and it's there for a lot of good reasons. You should think about this next time you're considering ignoring it.
We Can Help You Diagnose and Repair the Problem
Now, do you see why it's never a good idea to ignore your check engine soon light? If so, we can help.
You can read our blog to learn more about engine problems and repairs, or you can give us a call to schedule services for your car.
