Check Engine Light

Check engine light on?

Find out what's wrong and what to do when your check engine light comes on

What do you do when your check engine light comes on?

When your car’s check engine light comes on, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. For the average driver, the uncertainty and trepidation that a check engine light creates can feel like getting a dire medical diagnosis that doesn’t tell you what’s wrong or how to fix it. Instead of worrying, consider taking the following steps to discover if you’re dealing with a more significant repair or something as small as a loose gas cap.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON?

How do you identify problems that require immediate attention?

If your check engine light comes on, there are several things that you can do right away to see if something is wrong. Investigating these can either provide you with a quick fix, help you rapidly identify a bigger problem, or, at the least, allow you to eliminate some of the possible issues instantly.Some of these issues are easy DIY repairs, such as adding more oil or replacing a cap. However, if your car is overheating or a mouse has chewed an internal wire, it may require a trip to the mechanic.

IDENTIFY IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS

How to Solve the Problem Yourself

The number one thing you should do when the check engine light comes on is to perform a diagnostic test.The check engine light is an outward-facing part of your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system. In other words, it’s a part of an internal computer system that oversees your vehicle and watches out for any number of problems. To understand the sheer size of potential issues that could arise, consider that Innova’s diagnostic database and apps are designed to diagnose over 3 million possible automotive problems.

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How to Perform a Diagnostic Test?

Depending on your comfort and level of knowledge, either you or a professional can use an OBD1 or OBD2 diagnostic tool to discover what particular issue triggered the check engine light in your system.Below are list of tools for the beginner to the seasoned mechanic:

Find the Problem

Introducing CarScan. Our newest comprehensive OBD2 diagnostic tool range offers the most powerful, affordable and simplest method to access today’s complex On Board Diagnostic (OBD) systems. Diagnose complex vehicle issues with the push of a button.

Fix the Problem

Now with unlimited vehicle reports, RepairSolutions2 is a free companion app that pairs easily with your Innova tool to extend capabilities far beyond diagnosing a problem. Find real world fixes, cross referenced for accuracy by ASE Master Technicians, and even buy the right parts directly from your favorite retailers.