Take Your Car to a Certified Repair Technician When Your Check Engine Light Goes On
February 10th, 2010 by admin
A check engine light will illuminate for a number of reasons, both major and minor. But, whatever you do, don’t ignore your check engine light when it does go on! Ignoring the cause of your check engine light may lead to catalytic converter damage. You won’t know what that light signifies until you take your car in to your certified engine repair technician.
Your check engine light should go on only once, when you turn on the ignition, and go off immediately thereafter. If your check engine light illuminates while your car is running, there could be a malfunction somewhere within your operating system. Take your car in to the shop as soon as possible.
If your check engine light begins flashing while you are operating your car, reduce your driving speed immediately until the light stops flashing and remains lit. If the check engine light continues to flash, slow down and stop your car and arrange for its immediate transportation to a repair shop. Before calling the repair shop, though, try pulling over and turning your car off for several minutes to reset the engine management system. Get your car in for repairs right away if the check engine light goes back on when you restart your car.
Your certified engine repair technician will perform a thorough diagnostic to determine why your check engine light has gone on. That technician will scan the trouble codes stored in your car’s computer and perform tests on your car’s sensors and components to eliminate possible causes. This procedure can generally be performed within the space of a day.
Whatever you do, do not take your car to an auto parts store when your check engine light goes on. Store employees are qualified to interpret stored trouble codes but are not able to diagnose and correct the problem itself!