It may seem as if diagnostic tests are all the rage in auto repair today, but Extra Mile Tire and Service advises that these tests actually save you money in the end because they point directly to whatever problem your automobile is having. Your vehicle is equipped with a main computer chip, the engine control unit or engine control module, and system sensors that communicate with each other. The dashboard warning lights are all part of the system, including the check engine light. Let’s talk more about the check engine light below.
How the Check Engine Light Works
As you can see when you first turn on your automobile, there are several lights on the dashboard. These lights apply to specific systems. For example, your ABS and Brake lights apply to the brake system. The brake system has system sensors that will report an error code to the engine control unit if there is a problem with the brakes. The engine control unit will turn on the associated light to warn you, i.e., the ABS light if the antilock brake system is malfunctioning.
The check engine light is designed to warn drivers of problems in the engine that don’t have their own warning lights. For example, it wouldn’t turn on if the antilock brake system was malfunctioning but it would turn on if your transmission was malfunctioning because the transmission does not have a light. The engine control unit is the computer chip that turns on the check engine light. It turns it on because it has received an error code from a system sensor.
When the computer chip receives the error code, it will try to resolve the problem itself. For example, assume for the moment that your engine is knocking because there is a lean fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. The knock sensor will alert the engine control unit of the problem and the unit will increase the fuel in the combustion chamber to stop the knocking. If the unit cannot resolve the problem, it will turn on the associated light, including the check engine light.
Reasons for Check Engine Warnings
It’s important to have a check engine warning diagnosed as soon as possible because there are many reasons why the light will turn on. For example, the check engine light will illuminate if
- The catalytic converter is clogged
- The engine control unit is failing
- The gas tank cap is too loose
- The mass airflow sensor is dirty
- The oxygen sensor is malfunctioning
- You have an engine vacuum leak
- You have a transmission problem
All of these things are important, even the loose gas cap. Extra Mile Tire and Service in Milton, GA, can run a diagnostic test to find out why your check engine light is on and repair the problem. Call us today.
