What happens if your check engine light is on?
What happens if your check engine light is on?
Doing so can lead to safety issues, a roadside breakdown or costly repairs down the line. If your Check Engine Light is on, our Professional Parts People will scan the code for you and provide a list of possible fixes. Some codes may call for further diagnosis.
Where can I find the code on my Check Engine light?
Do-it-yourselfers can buy inexpensive code readers from an auto parts store or online that connect to the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port and search for the code’s meaning on websites such as Engine Light Help. Modern systems will display the code in an app on your smartphone.
What does a malfunction indicator light on a car mean?
In many cases, it means that you’ll be visiting the car dealer to repair the issue and get the light turned off. The check engine light — more formally known as the malfunction indicator lamp — is a signal from the car’s engine computer that something is wrong.
What does the international check engine light really mean?
In addition to turning on the light—known as the International Check Engine Symbol—the computer stores a “trouble code” in its memory that identifies the source of the problem, such as a malfunctioning sensor or a misfiring engine. The code can be read with an electronic scan tool or a diagnostic computer—standard equipment in auto repair shops.
Why does the Check Engine light come on while driving?
A loose fuel cap is one of the most common reasons why the check engine light turns on. The cap is a crucial part of a car’s fuel delivery system. It notably prevents gasoline fumes from leaving the fuel tank, and it helps keep the whole system under the correct pressure.
How do you read Check Engine codes?
Reading your vehicle’s check engine codes is as easy as plugging in a code reader to the OBD II diagnostic port, which is typically located on the driver’s side, under the steering wheel. Once the code reader is connected, it will display what code(s) are being triggered by the vehicle’s ECU.
Can AutoZone check engine light?
AutoZone’s free check engine light service can help you identify problems by pulling up your engine’s error code and suggesting quality parts to repair that issue.
Why would my engine light come on?
Officially known as a malfunction indicator lamp, the check engine light can go on for a number of different reasons. In some cars, something as simple as a loose gas cap, which the car’s computer can read this as a leak in the emissions system, or even a change in humidity can cause the light to come on.
