If you're driving in Cherry Hill and your car's check engine light comes on, what should you do? If you're not sure, you're not alone. Many drivers don't know what to do when the check engine light comes on. We'll explain some of the reasons the check engine light may come on, so you can decide when to bring your vehicle in for Cherry Hill check engine light service.
The check engine light (sometimes abbreviated as CEL) doesn't usually mean there's an emergency. But sometimes the check engine light needs immediate attention. If your car's check engine light comes on, you'll need to take it to a service center for check engine light testing in Cherry Hill.
Steady Light vs. Flashing Light
The check engine light can either appear as a steady or flashing light. If your car's check engine light comes on and is flashing, there's a problem that requires immediate attention. A flashing light usually means the ignition system is misfiring. When this happens, unburned fuel is dumped into the exhaust system, which can result in a damaged catalytic converter. If you don't take care of this, you may be faced with an expensive catalytic converter replacement. If you notice your check engine light comes on, and it's flashing, pull over to a safe place on the side of the road, turn off the vehicle, and contact roadside assistance.
A steady check engine light indicates there's a problem that needs attention. While it's not an emergency, it shouldn't be ignored. A steady light is a warning that a serious issue may occur down the road. If you notice a steady check engine light has come on, make an appointment with the Burns Buick GMC Service Center. Our service technicians will detect the cause of the problem and fix it promptly.
A steady check engine light can indicate several different problems, including a faulty oxygen sensor, a bad catalytic converter, a broken gas cap, a malfunctioning mass airflow sensor or bad spark plugs.
Faulty Oxygen Sensor
Your vehicle has an oxygen (O2) sensor that measures the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust system. When the O2 sensor breaks, the engine will burn more fuel. You'll notice a loss of fuel economy. A defective O2 sensor can damage your vehicle's catalytic converter and spark plugs.
Bad Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. If the catalytic converter fails, you'll notice decreased performance and lower fuel-efficiency. If you live in a state that requires an emissions test, the car may not pass.
Damaged, Loose or Missing Gas Cap
Your car's gas cap keeps gas fumes from escaping from the fuel system, causing reduced fuel economy. If your check engine light comes on, check the gas cap to see if it's loose or broken. If it's loose, tighten it. If it's damaged or missing, replace it.
Malfunctioning Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor measures the volume of air flowing into the engine, and it controls the amount of fuel needed to run the engine properly. A malfunctioning airflow sensor can damage the catalytic converter, the O2 sensor and the spark plugs. The vehicle will also experience reduced fuel economy.
Faulty Spark Plugs
Defective spark plugs and wires can damage the catalytic converter, the O2 sensors and the ignition coils. You'll notice reduced performance and a hit in fuel economy.
