Diagnosing Check Engine Light Codes

"has the check engine light been on long?" i ask. "well, concerning a month i assumption, but it was running penalty so i didn't think anything was wrong", they respond. After checking the codes http://edition.cnn.com/search/?text=auto repair stored in the computer, it reveals a bad oxygen sensor and also a stopped working catalytic converter, which means for whatever reason the air and also fuel entering your engine does not burn extensively enough, possibly creating gas to enter your exhaust. This gas sparks in the exhaust system, which triggers your catalytic converter to thaw down, which after that plugs the exhaust, which essentially means you aren't going anywhere too quickly. $800 to $2000 or even more later and you're back when traveling.

To get codes that are stored in on board vehicles computer, a diagnostic scanner is made use of. You can check out some parts shops and also they will read the codes kept for free. A diagnostic scanner can turn the check engine light off, yet in some circumstances it will not stay off till problems indicated are repaired.

Your Inner Check Engine Light

An additional sensor that can make the check engine light start crying is the mass airflow http://angelojzwq263.theglensecret.com/the-no-1-question-everyone-working-in-auto-service-mesa-should-know-how-to-answer sensor. This is like the o2 sensor, if its damaged emissions are enhanced and also gas mileage is lowered. Unlike the oxygen sensor, you can't replace this one yourself. You can nevertheless enhance its life span if you would just change out the air filter like you are expected to.

There are various other issues that can create the check engine light to involve, but these are one of the most common. Do not let a little problem develop into a huge one, have it identified quickly. Possibilities are unless you have actually noticed various other performance issues, the option is quick and also cheap.

New Bosch Technology Saves Fuel

1. Save yourself a great deal of money – your check engine light is called a warning light for a reason. In some cases you might literally feel a problem, yet more often than not you won't. Anything left ignored to might perhaps cost you big time in the future. It is true – an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of remedy.

2. Save yourself a lot of time – i had a fleet customer recently who had a crew driving a work truck numerous hundred miles to a job. Unbeknownst to him, the check engine light got on the whole time, as well as at some point triggered a major engine failure which required a brand-new engine. Not only did it cost him thousands of dollars, his truck ran out commission for over a week, when it might have originally been fixed in a hr.