If your European automobile’s check engine light turns on other than when you first start the vehicle, pay attention to what the light is doing. If the light is shining steadily, there is a problem that is not necessarily an emergency. If the light is blinking or flashing, this is an emergency. Continuing to drive the automobile could damage the engine beyond repair. It’s better to have your vehicle towed to our shop.
The CEL
The check engine light is also called the CEL. This light is an important part of your vehicle’s dashboard warning system. The lights and gauges on the dashboard are designed to let you know if something goes wrong. For example, if your temperature gauge needle rises up to the red zone, your engine is overheating. If the oil light turns on, there’s a problem with the oil level or oil pressure.
The check engine light turns on when there is no other way to alert you of a problem. Assume for the moment that your spark plugs are worn out. Aside from the noticeable engine performance issues, your European automobile’s main computer chip will also turn on the check engine light. The check engine light covers any problem that does not have its own light or gauge.
The main computer chip, also called the engine control unit, understands that there is a problem because it communicates with the sensors that are found in your European automobile’s systems. These sensors monitor their systems’ activities continuously while your vehicle is in motion. If anything goes wrong, they will alert the engine control unit by sending error codes.
The Warnings
These error codes prompt the unit into turning on an associated dashboard warning light. In the case of the check engine light, this can cover anything from a problem with the catalytic converter to potential transmission failure. As such, it is important to bring your European automobile to our shop so we can run a diagnostic test to download the specific error code. This tells us exactly what is wrong.
In addition to the two problems that we discussed above, the check engine light can also come on if there is an issue with your vehicle’s EVAP system, fuel system, mass airflow sensor, oxygen sensor, or if the engine has a leaking vacuum hose. These are just some of the reasons why the check engine light turns on. In addition to the light, you may experience other issues such as engine performance issues.
We are here to help, so call us today if the check engine light is illuminated on your European automobile’s dashboard. We will find the problem and fix it.
