What to do if Check Engine Light Comes On

The check engine light will alert you to a malfunction in one of two ways. First is a static light, meaning the check engine light comes on in yellow and stays on. When this happens, there’s no need to panic or immediately pull over. Of course, if it’s on, something isn’t quite right, but it is very rarely catastrophic. If it was catastrophic, you’d more than likely notice a difference in how the car feels and performs. When you see a static check engine light, plan on bringing your car in at your earliest convenience for a diagnostic. 

Another way the car will alert you is with a flashing check engine light. If the light blinks on and off or is red or orange instead of yellow, this often means the engine is having more serious problems that could cause some immediate damage. If you see this instead of a static, yellow light, this should be diagnosed and addressed immediately. Whether your check engine light is static yellow or flashing red, the expert service center here at Columbiana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram can diagnose the issue and repair it in a timely manner. 

A computer monitors your vehicle’s engine performance, using sensors all over the vehicle to detect malfunctions and alert you to them. A majority of things that can trigger a check engine light have to do with vehicle emissions. Believe it or not, one of the most common causes of a check engine light is a loose gas cap, as it can allow vapors to escape. Therefore, if you see a static, yellow check engine light, the first thing you should do is check to make sure your gas cap is securely fastened. If that was the problem, the light should go out after a few miles of driving after the computer resets. Some other common causes of a check engine light include worn spark plugs and spark plug wires, faulty oxygen (o2) sensors, a faulty or clogged catalytic converter, and a dirty or clogged mass airflow sensor. 

Whether your check engine light is solid or blinking, it’s best to bring it to a reputable service center at your earliest convenience. The light can indicate many different things in addition to the common causes listed above. To get more information about what’s causing the check engine light, you’ll need to use a code reader. This is a device that plugs into the car's on-board diagnostic (OBD) port and reads the engine’s computer information. If the check engine light is on, it will display a specific code on the device. This code gives you information about the problem’s source. However, this code isn’t an exact diagnosis, but it gives a mechanic an indication of where to start looking. Here at Columbiana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, any one of our expert technicians will gladly read the code and dig into the problem based on the information the code tells them.

If you see your check engine light come on, don’t panic! Schedule a service appointment with the experts here at the Columbiana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram service center to run a diagnostic check and get the issue resolved correctly and efficiently. To schedule an appointment, you can do so by calling our service center directly or by requesting an appointment right here on our website. We look forward to serving you!