Free Check Engine Light Diagnostic
When the check engine light comes on, turn to AAMCO Boardman to check it out and get the repairs you need to get back on the road – lights out and worry-free!
A flashing check engine light often means that there is a serious problem affecting your vehicle’s ignition, fuel, or emission systems. Do not ignore your vehicle if the check engine light is on or flashing. Our professional auto service technicians will investigate the check engine code error and troubleshoot the issue. If you delay a car diagnostic or necessary engine repair, the problems and costs can quickly escalate.
AAMCO Check Engine Light Repairs
What is my CHECK ENGINE or SERVICE ENGINE SOON light?
All modern vehicles are equipped with an onboard computer diagnostic system (OBDII) that constantly monitors your vehicle’s major operating systems and most importantly the power-train (engine and transmission). The main purpose of monitoring these systems is to insure that the vehicle is operating at top efficiency with the lowest possible emissions. As fuel economy and emission control has become increasingly important and complex, your vehicle’s electronics systems need to constantly adjust and fine-tune various parameters according to driving conditions (such as vehicle load, temperature, and air/fuel mix to name just a few). When the computer reads that any of these parameters do not fall within the acceptable range for operating the vehicle, your CHECK ENGINE LIGHT is lit to warn you that you may have a serious problem and to take your vehicle to a certified technician – such as your local AAMCO Boardman technician – to check the faults and restore it to manufacturer’s specifications.
Don’t Hesitate To Bring Your Vehicle In
When you bring your car to AAMCO Boardman, OH, our experienced Auto Service Professionals will perform on-board diagnostics and determine why your check engine light (service engine soon) is on or flashing. While it’s impossible to say exactly why a check engine light is on or flashing without being able to examine the vehicle and perform a car diagnostic, possible causes of a steady or flashing check engine light can include:
- Failing oxygen sensor
- A loose gas cap
- Bad spark plug/ignition coil
- Bad spark plug wires
- A problem with your catalytic converter
- Bad mass air flow sensor
- Engine vacuum leak
- EGR valve problem
- Excessive gas consumption or release of air pollutants
Frequently Asked Check Engine Light Questions
Why is my check engine light on?
Your vehicle’s powertrain control module (PCM) is the computer that monitors the normal operating range of the different components in your vehicle. It has electronic sensors all over your car, so when something’s amiss, the check engine light can tell you “hey, there’s a problem here.”
Common issues are a loose gas cap, an issue with your mass airflow and oxygen sensors, and spark plug and catalytic converter malfunctions. You can only be certain what is going on when a full computer diagnostic has been run.
What should I do when my check engine light turns on?
If you’re driving, don’t panic, but pull over. Sometimes it’s ok to drive a moderate distance with your check engine light on, but without knowing what’s wrong with your vehicle, it’s better to just get off the road.
Once you’ve decided whether or not you need to call a tow truck, the next step is to schedule a car computer diagnostic to have your car inspected by a car care expert who’ll be able to diagnose the problem and provide the service to fix it then and there.
Will I need repairs if my check engine light turns on?
You won’t necessarily need repairs every time that your check engine light comes on. Sometimes all you need to do it tighten your gas cap and that’s that. Most of the time, however, the check engine light is an indicator that there is a serious problem with your car that needs to be addressed.
Regardless of the issue, taking your car in to get checked by a professional car care expert is the best way to fix any current issues with your car and avoid further damage down the road. Trained mechanics can read your car’s computer and decide what, if any, repairs will be needed.
Can I ignore my check engine light?
If car manufacturers thought something was unimportant, they wouldn’t have made a special light for it. If your check engine light comes on, that means that something needs to be addressed. If you’ve seen your check engine light turn off on its own before, that means whatever component was causing the alert has swung back into its normal operating range and stopped alerting your PCM. If that’s a recurring problem in your vehicle, it could easily swing back out again and cause issues. Basically, when the check engine light turns on, it’s time to come in for a car computer diagnostic.
Why is my check engine light flashing?
Typically, when the check engine light turns on, the symbol on your dashboard is a solid light that remains on until the problem is resolved. It’s not advised to keep driving with your light on, but a solid check engine symbol indicates that you’ll most likely be ok as long as you schedule an appointment with a mechanic soon.
However, if the light is flashing, that generally means there’s a serious problem with your engine. When your check engine light flashes, pull over, turn off your car and call a tow truck. Before you drive your car again, take it into your local AAMCO Boardman location and get an engine diagnostic to see what the problem is.