Check engine lightThis check engine light page is meant to be a helpful resource for your car problems related to this troublesome light. You can scroll down to the bottom for specific check engine lamp help articles. Or read your way down there and learn more about the subject. First a brief rundown of why this engine lamp is required to function properly and why it is turned on by the vehicles, onboard computer.
In short, the light that will either say check engine or on some models will say service engine soon is a federally mandated warning device. It is directly related to the clean air act and reducing emissions and pollution in our world. The lamp comes on to notify the driver that they might be polluting the atmosphere and possibly damaging the environment. Some states like California, take the clean air act extremely seriously and each vehicle registered in the state of California must pass a smog test. This tests the operation of the check engine light and verifies no present failures in the system. Other states like Florida have no tests at all. In the state of Florida, there are no vehicle inspections or smog checks and drivers are left to the honor system not to pollute the atmosphere.
Engine light comes on
As a certified auto repair mechanic and also being certified in automotive emissions testing, this is a question that I hear often. What makes the warning light come on in the first place? This light can pop on for literally thousands of reasons. But to sum it up for you the vehicle's computer is monitoring engine data across hundreds of different channels and sensors, both input and output. The vehicle computer compares this incoming and outgoing data to a parameter with a high and low specification.
On vehicles built after 1996 the computer system has been standardized and is called OBD II (On Board Diagnostics). This system is not only sensitive, but once a diagnostic code is set, the service lamp will remain on until the problem is repaired and or the diagnostic code is cleared. Even if the malfunction was an intermittent problem the light stays on.
Service engine light causesObviously I can't fit on this page, all of the reasons that the failure indicator may come on. Just a little further down on this page, I will continue to post articles about this subject that may help you in this diagnostic situation.
I can tell you that the problem could be as simple as a lack of car maintenance or even an intermittent glitch that does not need to be addressed at this time. It could also be in the other direction, where there is a serious problem such as a vacuum leak that could cause engine damage, if not diagnosed and repaired properly. So my advice to you is to pursue the matter and find out why the check engine light is illuminated. Either you can try to fix it yourself or take it into an auto repair shop that is qualified to repair it. Bypassing or disconnecting check engine lights is against the federal emissions law. Auto repair articles to help you with your check engine light diagnosis and repair. The first article will be on how to pull and clear codes. The second article will be about common codes and their definitions.
Repairing check engine lights helpThis first article discusses the two possible ways to clear the codes from your computer. Find out more about the mechanic recommended check engine light reset procedureThis next link will lead you to a list and descriptions of the most commonly found OBD II failure codes. Also I talk about the check engine light codes I have seen the most of recently. This next page has become one of my most popular and viewed pages on this auto repair website. I own 4 auto scan tools and this next link is a full report on them. See my auto scanner reviews How about the fuel cap code. Yet another common diagnostic trouble code you might come across. This next page talks about the PO400 series of codes and specifically the P0440. Yes the gas cap code If your on the fence about buying a automotive scanner this article discusses what to do with the information this tool provides and also an overview of scan tool operation Believe it or not the 5 digit code that the computer stores has a deep meaning. This next article explains what an enhanced code is and exactly what each digit stands for in diagnostic trouble codes This is where to start when it comes to a logical path of check engine light diagnosis. I provide the two simple first steps that might lead you right to the malfunction and end your engine light diagnosis One of the most often misdiagnosed codes on the planet is for oxygen sensors. See my example of how setting o2 sensor codes can be a cheap repair if addressed quickly. Engine misfire codes are a little easier to troubleshoot but can actually cause more damage to your vehicle then other failures. Do not drive around with a P0300 series code problem. I use a Nissan check engine light repair example to help you diagnose engine misfire codes My shop has purchased a laptop scan tool. I helped decide which one to get and then I installed it plus scanned the first vehicle with it. See what I think about the elm scan 5 laptop automotive scanner Egr codes are a wide spread problem on many different models. I discuss some of the most common causes of this code to set and supply information on how to repair EGR valve problems Would you prefer to watch a 3 minute video that covers the basics about this subject. This next link takes you to my check engine light video Many do it yourself auto repair mechanics ask me how to reset the maintenance reminder light after they perform an oil change. I put together a page that provides instructions for 3 popular makes. Learn the maintenance light reset procedure. If you don't want to read through a bunch of free automotive articles for your answer I understand. Learn about the reliable car repair help service I am a part of! Or you can just post your question right now. Search my two automotive websites for the Information you need to fix your car with custom search.  Custom Search Follow the diagnostic tree charts for the exact codes your computer set. Repair diagrams for the specific vehicle your fixing. ALL-DATA is easy to use and contains all of the original automobile manufacture’s diagnostic and repair procedures. Easy to use navigation and search tools allow you to quickly get to the info you need to do the job. Hyperlinks insure that you can get to related information at the push of a button. Shop All-Data Diy Products!
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