The check engine light is a warning message that appears on the dashboard to alert the car user, that something is not right under the hood. This light like all other indicator lights, come up when you start the car, and disappears along with them, when the car starts moving. But when it comes up otherwise and stays back, it should be considered as a warning signal, and must never be ignored, suggested the mechanics who serve at the Maple Shade check engine light department.
How it Works
The same group pf mechanics explained to us that in the modern-day vehicles, it is the onboard diagnostics system (or OBD II) that is meant to detect any impairment that happens to any of the vehicle mechanism, including the engine and its related compartments. So, when any of the parts in the engine compartment fails to do its job, the onboard diagnostic system turns on the check engine light in order to intimidate about the condition to the car user.
What Turns on the Check Engine Light
So, when we asked the mechanics what trigger the “check engine” light on, they explained to us, that at times even as trivial an issue like a loose gas cap can also turn on the light, which can be turned off, by fitting back the gas cap, or by replacing it, in case it got worn out. Other reasons that are mostly seen behind turning on the “check engine” are low engine oil or the level of other car fluids like the transmission fluid, brake fluid and most importantly, the coolant.
Sometimes even a fused spark plug, a faulty oxygen sensor, or a faulty catalytic converter, as well as a disconnected timing belt can turn on the “check engine” light.
Interpreting the Warning Signal
The “check engine” light usually is meant to appear either as a yellow or in orange color displaying the phrase “Check Engine” when there is anything wrong happening to any of the engine components that can lead to bigger problems.
The “check engine” light has its own way of communicating the level of threat that the engine can face. We can interpret the language of the “check engine” light through its behavior. If the light turns on and stays still, it must be taken as an indication of a lower level of threat, like a loose gas cap, a lower level of engine oil or its poor quality, a scanty quantity of coolant, a faulty oxygen sensor or a fused Spark plug. These issues can be fixed back with ease, and none of these need any expensive investment.
But if the light starts blinking or flashing, it clearly speaks of a serious threat that needs to be addressed at the earliest, and these issues could be like something like a faulty convertor, a damaged exhaust system. If any of these parts get damaged, the “check engine” light will automatically turn on and continue to flash till the issue is addressed, warned the mechanics who perform CEL testing & diagnosis in Maple Shade.