Check Engine Light Service  in Buford and Cumming, GA

Is Your Check Engine Light On?

The dreaded check engine light is not something a car owner is fond of, especially when it illuminates their dashboard. However, this indicator light is not as ominous as it may seem. The check engine light exists for a few reasons, but it is all together supposed to tell you when there is something malfunctioning or simply out of place with your vehicle’s emissions. 

The check engine light or service engine soon lamp is illuminated to alert the driver about the need for service. Although your car may seem to run fine now, your cars computer or Power Train Control Module (PCM) is trying to tell you something when that little light comes on. There are many sensors and computerized components that need to be working properly in order for your computer to manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these components fails, or wears to the point where the PCM can no longer make the needed adjustments, that check engine light may illuminate, every time you start and operate your car.

We apply strategy based diagnostics to be able to pinpoint exactly what's going on with your vehicle!

How The Check Engine Light Works

Your vehicle is equipped with many ways to tell you that something may be amiss. The check engine light is one of them. Your vehicle’s onboard computer diagnostic systems monitors vehicle operations, with your check engine monitoring emissions. If the check engine light illuminates on your dashboard, it is important to understand why it could be doing so, and what the light means. 

What Causes The Check Engine Light To Flash

The check engine light turns on for a myriad of reasons, and they all stem from emissions. Here are a few reasons that could lead to the check engine light coming on: 

• Catalytic converter: If you notice an rotten egg smell accompanying the check engine light, it could very well be due to the catalytic converter. 

• Gas cap: A loose gas cap can cause the check engine light to come because there is a loss of the vacuum seal that should be present. 

• Mass Airflow Sensor: This sensor measures the air coming into the engine, ensuring the right amount mixes with fuel. If there is something wrong with the sensor, your check engine light will turn on.

• Oxygen Sensor: The same is true of the oxygen sensor. 

• Spark Plugs: Worn spark plugs or plug wire will also lead to your check engine light turning on. 

How To Know What The Check Engine Light Means

Each system on your vehicle is assigned a series of code numbers and letters that help us determine where your computer saw a problem that caused it to turn the light on. Keep in mind, these codes don’t tell us exactly what failed, only what system the computer recognized a problem with.

Think of it like this; if you felt sick and your thermometer was reading 101 degrees, that only alerts you to the fact that you have a fever. Your fever could be from an infection, a virus or some other internal cause that would require more testing by your doctor to determine what is wrong with you and how it should be treated.

Well, your engine also has a thermometer and if it was reading too high, your computer would turn on the check engine light to alert you about it. With a cars computer, it can tell our certified, ASE master mechanics exactly what the trouble is, and where to look to further diagnose the issue.