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Why does the Check Engine light come on after a service?

Why does the Check Engine light come on after a service?

If the gas cap is tight, there is another problem. If the Check Engine light came on after your car has been serviced, take it back to the repair shop and ask them to re-check it.

Where can I get a free Check Engine Light scan?

Google ‘free check engine light scan’ + ‘ your town’ to find a shop that will scan your car for free. Some dealers and repair shops offer a free Check Engine light scan as a seasonal promotional. The Volvo Service for Life program, for example, includes up to one hour of computer diagnostics. Another option is to ask your friends and relatives.

Can a loose gas cap cause a check engine light to come on?

Loose or damaged gas cap: It’s hard to believe that a gas cap can prompt your check engine light to come on, but it can. Your gas cap acts as the seal for your fuel system and it helps maintain the pressure in your fuel tank.

What do I need to shut off my check engine light?

To shut off the warning light, and to know exactly what’s wrong with your vehicle, you need a scanner. While a professional-grade OBD-II (also known as an OBD2) scanner might cost you hundreds of dollars, a wide range of perfectly good consumer models can be found online from between $20 and $100.

Is there a service required check engine light?

Mechanics will have a plug-in diagnostic tool that will display the issue to them. Some rare cars may require a dealer to read off certain fault codes, they will have specialist equipment for those vehicles. Remember, a “service required’ light is not to be confused with a “check engine” light, however, these are related.

How long does it take for check engine light to come back on?

Both methods clear all the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) from the On-Board Diangntoic computer at least temporarily. This procedure also reset the various systems in the car to Not Ready state. Depending on the problem, the check engine light could come back right away or could take up to two weeks to turn on.

What causes a car to have a check engine light?

A loose gas cap, failing engine sensors, bad spark plugs, faulty valves such as in the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system, or intermittent misfiring could all be potential culprits. In this case, it’s often best to take your car into a mechanic shop to get a diagnostic, or at the very least use an OBD reader yourself.

What does a service light on your car mean?

A service light means that you need an oil change or other similar maintenance, bear in mind that if the light is ignored it can easily lead to a check engine light, as your engine will grind to a halt without oil.

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Ruth Doyle