Check It, Change It: Common Check Engine Light Causes

Get a Professional Diagnosis

Few things are more irritating to drivers than to have the check engine dashboard light come on as they’re driving. Why? Because the warning isn’t specific. Instead of it pointing to a definitive cause as other lights do (low fuel, alternator, etc.), it offers only a broad generalization that says the auto needs attention. The root cause may be any number of ailments. The certified technicians at TGN Auto Care in Acworth, GA, can check out your check engine trouble, accurately diagnose the problem, and make the necessary repairs to change your dashboard view, removing the aggravating warning.

The Common Culprits

Although there may be many reasons behind the check engine warning, and you need a professional diagnosis to be sure of the exact problem, our experienced technicians have noticed some fairly common culprits. Amazingly, the components that measure oxygen–yes, simple oxygen from the air we breathe–can wreak check engine havoc if they fail. These include the mass airflow sensor (which measures the amount of air going into the engine in order to regulate the amount of fuel needed for combustion) and the oxygen sensor (which measures the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust). A poorly performing catalytic converter can also trigger the warning. This part converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. Finally, and perhaps most simply, a loose or poorly fitting gas cap can breach the closed fuel system. This little culprit can cause the check engine warning as well as allow your fuel to evaporate. (What a costly issue over time!) An additional problem is the inspection issue. These fuel and exhaust warnings will keep your vehicle from passing emissions inspections. Finally, failure to address certain issues can lead to more extensive (and expensive) repairs.

The Identification and Repair Process

Guessing the cause of your check engine woes isn’t a very effective strategy for car repair. You can haphazardly fix or replace a myriad of components and still not identify the right part or turn off the dash panel light. When you bring your auto to TGN Auto Care in Acworth, GA, one of our certified technicians will connect your vehicle to an OBD-II (Onboard Diagnostic System) reader. This will produce a trouble code (universal to all makes and models sold in the United States since 1996). This code is tremendously helpful because it points a mechanic in the right direction. It does not, however, pinpoint the exact nature of the problem. Instead, it identifies only the category (general direction) of the issue. Our staff member will then use his/her experience and expertise to determine what has caused the check engine to illuminate, enabling them to effect an accurate repair.