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The light could be a minor issue, such as a faulty gas cap, or it could mean something more serious, such as a misfiring engine. If the light begins flashing, however, it indicates a more serious problem, such as a misfire that can quickly overheat the catalytic converter.
What is the most common cause of check engine light?
Replacing a faulty oxygen sensor — a sensor used to optimize a vehicle’s fuel-to-air mixture to increase gas mileage and reduce emissions — is the most common cause for a check engine light. With over 400,000 repairs nationwide, oxygen sensor replacements account for 8% of all check engine light repairs.
Is it safe to drive your car with the check engine light on?
Can you drive a car with the engine light on? It’s okay to drive for a few miles, but be sure to schedule an inspection of the engine as soon as possible. If the check engine light comes on while you’re driving, don’t panic! Just be sure to have your car inspected as soon as possible after the light turns on.
Why is my engine light on but nothing seems wrong?
Normally, the appearance of a check engine light indicates a problem somewhere in your vehicle, but nothing seems amiss. The problem can even be as simple as forgetting to tighten your gas cap – in fact, this is the most common reason why check engine lights appear in the first place.
What does it mean when check engine light comes on?
The check engine light is a signal that the onboard diagnostics system (or OBD II) has detected a malfunction in the vehicle’s emissions, ignition, fuel or exhaust systems. All cars and light trucks have onboard diagnostics that are supposed to detect engine-related problems that affect the emissions control systems.
When should I be worried about check engine light?
Unlike a Temperature or Oil Pressure light, a Check Engine light is usually not an urgent, “Stop right now or you may cause permanent damage!” type of situation, unless it is flashing. If your gas cap is loose or the seal is not tight, the vapor leakage can cause your fuel system to trigger the check engine light.
What does a solid yellow check engine light mean?
The steady yellow light is telling you to take a look and fix the minor issue as soon as you can, but it’s not usually serious. The flashing light means that your vehicle’s engine is misfiring and you should investigate the problem immediately.
Can AutoZone check engine light?
Does AutoZone Scan Check Engine Lights? AutoZone can diagnose Check Engine Light codes, yes. If your engine light turned on and you are wondering why, head down to your local AutoZone where one of our store associates can help diagnose the issue through our free Fix Finder service.
How much does it cost to get engine light checked?
There’s a lot that goes on inside your engine, and rooting out the problem and fixing it can be a costly proposition. How costly? On average, the fee to have an auto mechanic diagnose a check engine light is $100.
Can low oil cause the check engine light to come on?
Low oil pressure: If your car is low on oil, it can cause your check engine light to go off. This is often shown in its own glowing light along with the check engine light on the dashboard. Overheating: If your car’s engine temperature is heating up, it can once again trigger the check engine light.
Will check engine light reset itself?
Your car’s check engine light will reset itself after you repair the problem in most car models. But it may take some time. A car usually needs 10-20 successful cycles before it will reset the check engine light by itself. Therefore it’s much easier to reset the check engine light with an OBD2 scanner.
Will a dealership buy my car if the check engine light is on?
Most dealerships will use the check engine light malfunction as an excuse to pay you less than the car may be worth. Be ready for a very low offer for the trade in. Your research will show the dealer you will not be taken advantage of.
How many miles after check engine light clears?
So why is the light still on? Here’s something you probably don’t know: after clearing the car’s computer you will need to drive for about 50 to 100 miles. As you drive your car the computer will monitor all the sensors and register the results.
How long do you have to drive to reset engine light?
To make sure the check engine light does not reappear, it’s recommended that you drive your car 30 to 100 miles. This enables the vehicle’s “Drive Cycle” to reset, as the various sensors need time to recalibrate.
How long does a check engine light take to reset?
The Light Stays On You may think that there is still a problem with the car after the repair, but it’s because the light needs time to reset. The car’s internal computer only resets after a set period where it checks all of its sensors once more. The reset can happen automatically after around 10 to 20 cycles.
What does the stop engine light mean?
Stop Engine Light means the ECU has detected an aberration that if continued would do damage to the engine; next level above that of “warning” is the engine shutting itself down. That the light disappears is good and probably means the trouble detected is very intermittent.
