You’re cruising along the highway. Everything’s cool, car seems to be running fine. But suddenly you notice that the “check engine” light has popped on. That little yellow (or possibly red or orange in some cars) light on your dash could mean a lot of things. And it might be blinking or it might be static. Here we’ll take a look at what all these things could mean and the actions that should be taken to address them.
“Check Engine” Light: Flashing vs. Static
If a yellow “check engine” light (CEL) has illuminated on the dash, no need to panic or pull over immediately. While it does mean something’s amiss, it’s most likely not an indication of a catastrophic engine failure. (If it was, you’d probably know it from how your vehicle is—or isn’t—responding.) Continue on your journey (perhaps a bit more gingerly) and make plans to take your car in for diagnostic tests as soon as is practically possible.
However, if the light is *blinking* (or a solid red or orange instead of yellow), this means your engine is really going through some stuff that could cause immediate damage. If this is what you’re seeing, rather than a static, yellow light, this means there’s a big issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
What to do When Your “Check Engine” Light Comes On
Whether solid or blinking, when your “check engine” light has come on, it’s best to take it to the repair shop. The light could indicate any number of things, most of which will require a mechanic to diagnose and address.
Your car’s performance is computer-monitored more than you might think. It regulates everything from engine speed to ignition timing; If you have an automatic transmission, it’s probably the brains behind telling it when to shift, too. The “check engine” light is the on-board diagnostic system’s way of telling you something’s wrong. But that something could be one of many things, big or small. It could pop on because of something small like a loose or faulty gas cap. It could also mean a major engine failure.
Possible Reasons for Your “Check Engine” Light Coming On
- Loose or faulty gas cap
- Worn spark plugs
- Faulty catalytic converter
- Dirty or faulty mass airflow sensor
Solve those pesky “check engine” light issues and keep your ride running smoothly with a service package from Vidal Auto Repair Service.
