Have you been driving down the road when all of a sudden you see a little light come on in your dash? You are then worried and wondering about what causes the “Check Engine” light to come on? This pesky warning light can mean various things, from a loose gas cap to a more serious misfiring engine. It also indicates that your vehicle is getting poor fuel economy and polluting the environment more than approved limits. The important concern at this time is to make sure that long-term damage isn’t taking place in your engine and that you aren't compromising the safety of your vehicle.
The ‘check engine’ light works like this--when the electronic-control system finds a problem it cannot adjust, the vehicle’s computer turns on a yellow warning indicator light and stores a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in its memory. This stored DTC helps your mechanic pinpoint the source of a potential problem. It may simply indicate a sensor is malfunctioning, or it could be more serious, such as low oil pressure or engine overheating.
The most serious issue is a misfiring engine. This is when one or more of your engine’s cylinders are not providing power to the vehicle, with fuel possibly running into the catalytic converter. It can be caused by a problem in the ignition system, the fuel system, or damage to the internal components of the engine. The longer the vehicle is misfiring, the more damage that will occur in the engine, and the more the cost of an engine repair.
The best way to diagnose and repair a misfire problem is to ask your mechanic to run a diagnostic test using a specialized computer. It will generate a report, from which your mechanic can then confirm and perform the required repairs. Misdiagnosing or ignoring a misfire can become very expensive later on.
Remember: To maintain the safety of your vehicle, good fuel efficiency, and a longer life for your vehicle, issues with the engine must be addressed promptly.
Need to know more about what causes the “Check Engine” light to come on? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Rebel Automotive for more information about engine repair and engine service and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Henderson, NV, Las Vegas, NV, and North Las Vegas, NV.
Have you been driving down the road when all of a sudden you see a little light come on in your dash? You are then worried and wondering about what causes the “Check Engine” light to come on? This pesky warning light can mean various things, from a loose gas cap to a more serious misfiring engine. It also indicates that your vehicle is getting poor fuel economy and polluting the environment more than approved limits. The important concern at this time is to make sure that long-term damage isn’t taking place in your engine and that you aren't compromising the safety of your vehicle.
The ‘check engine’ light works like this--when the electronic-control system finds a problem it cannot adjust, the vehicle’s computer turns on a yellow warning indicator light and stores a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in its memory. This stored DTC helps your mechanic pinpoint the source of a potential problem. It may simply indicate a sensor is malfunctioning, or it could be more serious, such as low oil pressure or engine overheating.
The most serious issue is a misfiring engine. This is when one or more of your engine’s cylinders are not providing power to the vehicle, with fuel possibly running into the catalytic converter. It can be caused by a problem in the ignition system, the fuel system, or damage to the internal components of the engine. The longer the vehicle is misfiring, the more damage that will occur in the engine, and the more the cost of an engine repair.
The best way to diagnose and repair a misfire problem is to ask your mechanic to run a diagnostic test using a specialized computer. It will generate a report, from which your mechanic can then confirm and perform the required repairs. Misdiagnosing or ignoring a misfire can become very expensive later on.
Remember: To maintain the safety of your vehicle, good fuel efficiency, and a longer life for your vehicle, issues with the engine must be addressed promptly.
Need to know more about what causes the “Check Engine” light to come on? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Rebel Automotive for more information about engine repair and engine service and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Henderson, NV, Las Vegas, NV, and North Las Vegas, NV.
