Why is My Check Engine Light On?

 “Now what?” is likely what you are thinking when your “check engine” service light comes on as you are driving. Nothing is more disconcerting than to see that particular light come on in your dash, especially if you are miles from your destination.

What To Do:

Of course your best plan of action will be to call and make an appointment with your auto mechanic, to find out exactly what's going on with your car’s engine that caused the light to come on. If the light is flashing, the situation is more serious and you should pull over immediately, turn your engine off, and plan not to use the vehicle until it is appraised. If the light is blinking  steadily, in general it is presumed safe to drive a short distance, as long as you have your engine diagnosed as soon as possible. 

 

Some cars display different colors that indicate certain issues. If the check engine light is yellow or orange, it means you need service soon, if it's red, you need to pull over immediately and turn off your engine, and arrange to have it towed to your auto repair shop, because, like the flashing indicator, it is a warning that you will do damage to your car if you continue to drive it. We recommend you check your driver's manual for specifics relating to your make and model.

But to ease your mind until you can get your car looked at, here are a few things that could be happening:

·        Gas cap. Sometimes if a gas cap is loose or cracked, it can trigger a check engine warning light. Pull over to a safe place and try tightening the gas cap. It’s a good first thing to do to eliminate that pesky problem as being the source of your light’s appearance.

·        Engine repair needed. The check engine light is connected through a series of sensors to all the components of your engine. Your auto mechanic can run an engine diagnostic test to see what’s really going on inside.

·        Emissions/transmission/fuel/air. Problems involving any of these systems can cause your check engine light to come on, as all of these areas have monitoring sensors to make sure they are in proper working order.

·         A fuse. Sometimes the fuse that controls the check engine light on certain cars is damaged or needs replacement. It is not unheard of for a damaged fuse to cause a perpetual check engine light indicator to stay on until replaced. 

 

But never assume that a check engine light is something you can ignore! Always get it checked out. In general, the longer you wait, the more costly the repair, unless, of course, it is something simple (like the gas cap example).

Whatever the cause of your check engine light coming on unexpectedly, our experienced technicians at Beachside Auto in Hermosa Beach can diagnose and resolve any vehicle issue to get you safely back on the road. Give us a call at 310•372•3992. We we'll get you where you need to go!

 

 Visit our website at BeachsideAutoRepair.com