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Do You Really Know What That Check Engine Light Means? We have code scanners for sale at the bottom of the page!
Dear concerned car
owner,
To decode check engine lights, you really need a quality repair manual like those provided at ALLDATA. They include troubleshooting procedures, Recall Information and Technical Service Bulletins. Click Here to get your manual today and find out what that check engine light really means. A Yellow Warning light, (Usually a Service engine soon light) indicates "Proceed with caution." The onboard computer system has indicated a potential problem and is alerting the driver. This computer system resets and re-tests all sensors and indicators each time the car is started. The computer system is capable of correcting some minor abnormalities, but if the light continues to come on after multiple car starts, it is probably sensing something that would imply a visit to the diagnostic mechanic is in order. Some common things that may cause a yellow light (Service engine soon light) to come on, but will probably require an experienced technician to diagnose are:
If you are driving your car and a yellow light comes on, ask yourself these questions: 1. Did you notice problems when starting the car? (slower to start than normal..etc.) 2. Have you noticed a decrease in fuel mileage recently? 3. What is the over-all running condition of the car? Is the engine misfiring or not performing like normal? Are there any new noises from under the hood? Turn off the radio and listen closely as you drive the car. 4. Do you notice any odors, such as a rotten egg smell, or see visible smoke from the tail-pipe or from under the hood? Make sure to note the exact location and wording of the light that has been coming on, because Murphy's Law dictates that the light will suddenly not come on when you take it in to the repair shop. In some cars, "engine" is the more serious red light, whereas others use "check engine light," which is a yellow caution light. If the mechanic thinks you are seeing a yellow "check engine light," and your car is indicating a red "engine" danger light, this could be a costly mistake for both of you. Why? You could be having a serious over heating problem and the mechanic is assuming you are having a less serious caution light illuminating. The mechanic then might give you the "green light" (no pun intended) to proceed with your out of town road trip with the kids. Yikes! Start the car, and point to the light to ensure good communication of the problem. Intermittent dash warning lights can be a pain and hard to diagnose! Diagnosing the problem in some cases will require the light to be on while the mechanic performs the diagnostic test. If the light is not on when you bring the car to the shop, you might be wasting your time and the mechanic's. SIDE NOTE: Keep
a "running condition and dash light" log in your car to
help the mechanic pin point the root of the problem. I have a
customer who keeps such an accurate log of her cars'
complaints that sometimes I can diagnose the problem correctly
with the help of her log and by taking her along on my initial
test drive. I can do my diagnosis usually without opening the
hood to her car. This saves me time and she saves money on a
diagnostic charge. This customer can also hold me to my warranty
time period, because she had this particular complaint
written in her log book. Scroll Down to See a Selection of Code Scanners
Engine Code Scanners to Diagnose Your Automotive Check Engine Light Computer Problems.
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