Has Your Check Engine Light Come On In Chicago, IL? Here's How You Can Have It Checked.
Did your check engine light just come on in Chicago?
Your vehicle's check engine light is your automobiles method of telling you it is sick and requires seeing a professional technician.
You can, like many individuals do, drop into a local automobile parts store, and ask them to plug in their scan device and recover the error codes. The difference in the check engine scanner device that parts stores utilize as well as the OBD-2 scanners that professional, qualified mechanic shops make use of is big.
The scanners that professional stores like Fred's Wrigleyville Garage And Auto Repair in Chicago, IL use can cost way over $10,000 but do way more testing and analysis.
So, let us just dive right in and talk about that check engine light in your vehicles’ dashboard.
So, what exactly is a check engine light?
Your car's check engine light is in consistent interaction with your vehicle's computer system. When something is wrong with your vehicle, the computer system records a problem code as well as sends a signal to the light to alert you that there is a problem with one of your vehicles core mechanical or electrical components.
It could be something as simple and affordable to deal with as a bad seal in your gas cap or something more major like an inner engine part that is beginning to fall short. In any case, you must not ignore your cars check engine light.
A brief history lesson on Check Engine Lights in Chicago, IL
In 1996, auto makers started to organize a trouble code system called OBD-II, which essentially standardized a list of possible trouble codes. They also began installing universal connectors to access the cars on-board computer system. The connector is generally found under the drivers steering column and is reasonably easy to access.
Before 1996, each automobile manufacturers had their very own special engine analysis systems, mostly to guarantee their vehicles were compliant with federal EPA laws.
Depending on your vehicles make and model, your check engine light is usually orange, yellow or amber, once more this relies on the manufacturer. If the light is solid as well as says "Check Engine Soon" you should have it checked out as soon as you can. If the light begins blinking, nonetheless, it indicates a more serious issue. You risk serious and expensive damage if you continue to drive the vehicle. We recommend you pull over safely, turn off the vehicle and call a local repair shop.
“Service engine soon" and the "check engine lights". There is a difference.
When it involves your car, you should recognize there is a distinct difference between the service engine light and the check engine light.
The service engine light is telling you that the vehicle is do for routine maintenance or service, like an oil change, transmission fluid change, etc.
Your check engine light is telling you something is wrong and should be seen at by a professional mechanic.
At Fred’s Wrigleyville Garage and Auto repair in Chicago, IL, IL we provide a no cost, no obligation engine light diagnostic screening. We will connect our advanced code scanners to the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port of your car, retrieve the codes and explain to you what the codes mean, as well as your repair options.
What do the check engine light scan code numbers imply?
Weather you go to a local car parts store or you have just acquired your very own OBD2 scanner. Once you plug it right into the OBD port of your car, and run the scan, the reader will return one or more trouble codes. If you are getting your check engine light scanned at a parts store or local shop, they should be able to tell you what they mean. If you are doing it yourself, you will have to do some research online. A good place to check your codes is https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/
Exactly how do I shut off a check engine light?
Many OBD2 code scanners you locate at the parts store, or you purchase online will certainly permit you to clear or reset the check engine light. Doing this does not make your trouble go away or repair your vehicle. If you do not repair the underlying trouble, the light will simply return later.
This is a method that some unethical car dealers will utilize to sell an auto. They will remove the codes prior to the test drive. Or disable the check engine light. We have even seen automobiles enter our shop with black electrical tape covering the light area.
Here is a new or used car purchasing suggestion for you from your Uncle Fred. If you are shopping for a used car, take it on a test drive to a neighborhood mechanic or parts store and ask them to run a diagnostic scan.
Some shops will bill a pre-purchase inspection charge. Here at Fred’s Wrigleyville Garage, we give complimentary scanning at our shop in Chicago, IL.
Either way, it is cash and time well invested that can save you a lot of frustrations as well as money in the future.
So, to recap, when it comes to any light on your dash, have it checked out as soon as possible.
Whether it is a service engine light, a check engine light, battery light or brake light it's a good suggestion to have it took a look at. Doing so now can save you a lot of money and time in the future.
If you have any type of questions or issues about your vehicles' check engine light, simply contact us at our ASE-certified automotive shop in Chicago, IL or just stop by and see us for a scan and inspection.
