Check Engine Lights:
Myths and Facts About Service Engine Soon Lights
You’re
driving along and suddenly your Check Engine Light comes on. What
is it? What does it mean?
Check Engine Light, Check
Engine Soon Light, Service Engine Soon Light, Engine Light, Engine
Management Light, whatever you want
to call it, simply means that your vehicle’s computer system
has detected a problem.
Depending
on the year, make, and model, it may be related to the engine, the
transmission, even the brakes and suspension. There are literally hundreds of reasons a
Check Engine Light may appear.
The
following question and answer discussion will help clarify the truth about
check engine lights...
Service Engine Soon
Light FAQ
Can
the car be driven?
The general rule is this: if the Service Engine Soon Light is on, and the
car seems to be running ok, you can
drive it. However,
you should have it checked at your earliest convenience.
If
your vehicle is running poorly—bucking, stalling, hesitating,
or you just don’t feel safe, tow it.
When in doubt always
tow it!
The check engine light went out by itself. Is it ok now? Probably not. Check Engine Lights often
come and go. Even
if the light is out,
your vehicle’s computer system will retain information that
will allow the problem to be diagnosed. To avoid potential long term issues, get it
checked out.
IMPORTANT:
the difficulty of check engine light repairs are often exaggerated by inexperienced technicians, or simply misdiagnosed. Other times, the difficulty is inflated in order to increase your car repair prices.
My check engine light
stays on. What
should I do?
If
your check engine light stays on constantly, follow the instructions
above, under “Can the car be driven?”
Can I disconnect the battery, or pull a fuse to
reset the service engine soon light?
Maybe, but I wouldn't. Removing the battery cable
or an ECM or PCM fuse may clear the code, but it is not universally
recommended in the industry.Most
manufacturers advise against it.See
the Best Way to Reset Check Engine Light
Codes below.
What is the Check Engine
Light?
The
Check Engine Light is a warning light for multiple systems operating in
your vehicle. In
simplest terms,
it’s like an engine management warning light to alert you of
a problem.
Just
like your computer pops up with an “error message
window” saying that something’s wrong, your service
engine soon light pops up to warn you that it has detected a
malfunction: mechanical, technical, software, or otherwise.
How to Reset Check Engine Light?
This
is a great question! I
get it all the time. See
the guide below….
Resetting
Check Engine Light
First,
if your Check Engine Light is on, it’s on for a reason. The Check Engine Light
indicates that your vehicle’s on-board computers have stored
a fault code.
There
are hundreds of fault codes, any one or more could be stored in your
computer's memory. Fault
codes are critical for accurate diagnoses of the problem.
Sometimes
the fault code points directly to a faulty component, allowing for a
quick and easy diagnoses. Other
times, the code may only indicate a problem circuit and thus
in-depth diagnostic procedures may be required.
By
resetting the Service Engine Soon Light, it erases important fault code
data that turned the check engine light on in the first place .Without this critical
information, the root problem can not be discerned.
Unfortunately,
there is no universally accepted way to safely turn off a check engine
light. Even if
there was, if the root problem is not addressed, it will come back on.
So
whether it’s a Chevrolet Service Engine Soon Light, Camry
Check Engine Light, Mighty Max Check Engine Light, or a 1993
Thunderbird Check Engine Light, they require individual
procedures to diagnose, repair, and reset the check engine
light code.
Following
is a Safe and FREE way for
resetting check engine light codes…
Best Way to Reset Check Engine Light Codes
If
you’re not interested in diagnosing your car, truck, or SUV Check Engine Light, or it’s already fixed, and you just want the engine light out, visit any local repair shop.
Most
shops will have a universal Check Engine
Light Code Reader that can quickly and safely reset check engine light trouble codes. It should take about 30 seconds.
Note:
European models are better off with a specialist,see: Volkswagen Reset Engine Service Light, and some vehicles may require more time. Some shops may be unwilling to just reset the check engine light due to liability.
Here’s what to
do…
Politely
ask your local service center if they
could reset the check engine light with a Check
Engine Light Code Reader. They may protest, arguing that the problem
must first be diagnosed.
Tell
the service representative that you understand fully, and that you
appreciate his professionalism. But
that you would just like to try resetting the Service Engine Soon
Light, and if it comes on again, you’ll come back for a full
diagnosis.
Be genuine. Service representatives
respond positively to
sincerity. If the
service center wants to charge you just to reset your Service
Engine Light, try another facility.
Alternatively,
you can visit a parts stores such as Napa or AutoZone. They
will
reset your check engine light at no charge. However, be aware
that a parts representative will be performing this procedure.
Parts representatives are not technicians. Be wary
of
recommendations to try this or that part. Avoid "guesses" whenever possible, and never just "throw a part in." |
