If you see an indicator light illuminated the dashboard of your vehicle, you should pay attention to the light. It's likely that your vehicle is experiencing a system malfunction. Keep in mind that the electrical system is able to determine if each component in it is functioning in a proper manner. When you see the Check Engine light blinking means that something is not right in your powertrain or engine. This is why it's important to know what the warning light indicates to avoid more serious issues. If you purchase a brand new car at a dealership or purchase a used truck on the internet one of the essential maintenance tips you need to know is how to reset the Check Engine light. This is as vital as knowing how to identify the issue. We will show you how to do it in this article. First Step: Purchase an OBD Reader or Scanner.OBD stands for "on-board diagnostics". It is easy to find an OBD scanner at Amazon.com or your local accessory store. By connecting it to your vehicle's OBD scanner will display the code that indicates the problem part. This allows you to identify the problem and fix it. Second Step: Plug the OBD Reader into your vehicle and Scan for CodesOnce you have your OBD reader, you can locate the port underneath the dashboard. Check that the reader is inserted in it. Make sure that your car won't be running when you're doing this. After you have connected the OBD reader, put your key in the "on' position, but do not turn off the engine. After that you need to press the scanner button. Allow the scanner to scan for codes for a couple of minutes or more. Once the OBD reader identifies the problem it will display a single code or a listing of codes. Be sure to take note of the codes before moving on to the next stage. The Third Step is to Search for the Code OnlineNext, you should use Google or any other search engine to locate the code. There will be forums on automotive discussing the code you received through your OBD reader. Try entering your make and model to determine the problem if you're unable to pull up the results for the code that you entered. The majority of people will see the exact same code in most instances. If you're lucky, you may get step-by step instructions for the used vehicle you have. You don't need to be a professional mechanic to fix the problem. However, if your skills aren't up standards, you're able to send your vehicle to a trusted mechanic. Fourth Step: Replace the PartOnce you've determined what needs to be fixed, it is now time to get to work and change the part. Forums on the internet can help you to identify the troublesome component. You can also refer to the manual of your car for help. The components can be ordered online or purchased at an auto parts store. In most cases, the part that you'll need isn't expensive and would take a few minutes to replace it. Fifth Step: Deleting the Code from the Sccanner.Once you've replaced the part, plug the OBD scanner back in. You can remove the codes by holding and pressing the 'erase' button. This will allow you to reset the scanner. If there aren't any other problems in your vehicle, your Check Engine light would have gone away.
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While driving through your day, then suddenly, a light appears in your dashboard. It might look like the outline of an engine or maybe the wording "check" or"check engine" on top of it. This is the check engine light - the most hated sight in the world. We have both bad and good information for you if find yourself in this position. The good news: A check engine light does not necessarily mean that there is something very wrong with your car. The downside is that the check engine light may mean there's something horribly wrong with your vehicle. Don't worry, we'll explain. Common Reasons Why Your Check Engine Light Might Have Come OnLet's take a look at the most common reasons why your check engine light might be lit. 1. Problems with the engineProblems with the engine can trigger the check engine light to blink. The operation of the engine is analyzed by a series of sensors connected to the control module. If it finds a problem, it turns on the check engine light. 2. Transmission problemsThe transmission of your car manipulates engine power and transfers it to the drive wheels. Because the two assemblies work together so closely an issue in the transmission may increase tailpipe emissions. If the control module is able to detect any issue with the transmission it will light up the check engine light. 3. Emissions equipment problemsModern vehicles have a plethora of emissions equipment onboard. There's the exhaust gas recirculation system the catalytic converter, the evaporative emissions system - the list goes on on. Each component is designed to minimize tailpipe emissions, thereby, protecting the environment and making the world a more secure place. We won't get into the various parts and systems separately since, honestly, there are way too many to list. However, we will be honest when we say that an emissions malfunction can quickly turn on the check engine light. 4. Problems with modules and sensors (electronic Powertrain Controls)The powertrains of today are controlled by a array of sensors and components. What's more the modules are connected to each other through a massive data network. Problems with sensors or modules, networks, and wiring may cause the check engine light to flash. 5. Air/fuel delivery problemsThe engine of your car requires the correct amount of both fuel and air to function correctly. The control module can tell whether the engine is receiving too much or too low of either air or fuel. The device then turns on the check engine light. 6. Problems with ignition systemsThe ignition system includes the spark plugs, coil packs, and everything else needed to ignite the air/fuel mixture within the engine. The control module monitors the operation of the ignition system, as you have likely guessed. And it will turn on the check engine light if it detects a problem. Your car's battery may be dead due to a variety of reasons. Insufficient system voltage, defective codes or bad quality batteries are all possible causes. If your engine light comes illuminated, you should stop immediately and seek assistance. If the engine light flashes frequently, it may be an indication of something more serious. A faulty voltage in the systemLow system voltage faulty codes can be the cause of the check engine light showing on cars after an unresponsive battery was taken away. This code indicates that the battery cannot deliver an adequate voltage to the computer in the vehicle. As a result, the engine will show a warning light, and it will be blinking or steady. This code means that the voltage of the battery is lower than 13.5 volts. Low system voltage could result in a variety of issues, including issues with the vehicle's electrical network. To avoid this issue the battery that is damaged should be examined regularly. To identify problems in your battery, late-model vehicles can measure internal resistance, temperature, as well as state-of-charge. If you suspect that your battery may be failing, visit a professional auto repair shop to conduct an inspection. Poor quality batteryYou may want to check whether your battery is damaged when your car's check engine light comes on because it has a dead battery. If it's not of good quality, it can't deliver the proper amount of power to the computer of the car and could trigger an error message. A weak battery can trigger the check engine light to go off for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is because the battery doesn't have enough voltage to supply the vehicle's computer. The vehicle will display a check engine warning and other faulty codes. Visit Motor Advices web site if you need details resources about engine light. A poor quality alternatorWhen your car's check engine light comes on following a dead battery, it's possible that the alternator is faulty. If your alternator is faulty and your vehicle isn't able to hold a charge. This is bad. Your vehicle will not be able to run. A mechanic or a store selling parts can test your alternator on you. But, you don't need to shell out for these services when you can do it yourself. A quick jump-start of your car using a new battery can help you determine if the alternator is the cause of the problem. If the engine continues to cease to function after trying this, it could be an indication that your alternator is defective. Bad alternatorIf your check engine light is on, and the battery isn't working, it might have a bad alternator. An unreliable alternator could stop your car from starting , and can result in the battery dying prematurely. The car could also smell bad when it is equipped with a defective alternator. There are several methods to determine if your alternator has problems. By inspecting the inside of the alternator, it is possible to identify a problem. You can check if these components are damaged or worn out. These parts can be replaced quickly and aren't difficult to replace. |
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