When a red warning light illuminates on your car's dashboard, it can cause you a lot of stress and worry. The common check engine light is one of these warning lights that could indicate a serious issue with your vehicle. But how do you know if it's something major or just a minor problem?
When the check engine light comes on, it's important to diagnose the issue as soon as possible. If you ignore it, the problem can become more serious - and potentially lead to a costly repair bill down the line. The diagnoses can be done by the use of an OBD-II (Onboard Diagnostics, Second Generation) scanner which will provide you with a trouble code that indicates what's wrong with your car. This could reveal the cause or reason behind the light indicator and as such inform the next course of action.
The Main Causes of a Check Engine Light
The most common causes of a check engine light include problems with your vehicle's oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. Malfunctioning spark plugs and ignition coils can also cause the check engine light to come on. A clogged air filter or a faulty fuel cap can also trigger the light to appear.
To determine what's causing your check engine light, you'll need to have your car put on a diagnostic machine at an auto repair shop. Experienced technicians can assess the data from the machine and pinpoint what's causing the issue. After they diagnose the problem, they will work to resolve it as soon as possible - either through repairs or replacements.
Whether you are an experienced driver or otherwise the emergence of the check engine light always sends a message. While it could be a simple indicator, we encourage you to always seek the advice of a professional and experienced mechanic when an OBD-II does not help. Basically, if you need check engine light repair, we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop today!