How do you fix a check engine problem?
What to Do About the Check Engine Light
- Look for a serious problem that requires immediate attention. Check your dashboard gauges and lights for indications of low oil pressure or overheating.
- Try tightening your gas cap.
- Reduce speed and load.
- Use built-in diagnostic services, if available.
Why does my car say engine check?
CARS.COM — The check engine light on the dashboard is a warning that many vehicle owners dread. The check engine light is a signal that the onboard diagnostics system (or OBD II) has detected a malfunction in the vehicle’s emissions, ignition, fuel or exhaust systems.
What does it mean when your car says check engine soon?
A “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” or “Reduced Power” light or warning message on your dash means your car’s computer has detected a problem with the engine or transmission and stored a trouble code in its memory. In most cases, the problem is caused by a faulty sensor that you can probably replace yourself.
Why is my Check Engine light not working?
Reduced gas mileage and stalling can also indicate a MAF problem. A MAF for a late-model car typically costs between $120 and $150. An aftermarket alarm can wreak havoc on your car if it’s not installed properly. It can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting.
Can a code reader fix a check engine light?
Most code readers will allow you to turn off or reset the check engine light. But this action alone does not actually repair the underlying problem. In many cases, the light will simply come back on later.
How does a car know if there is a problem?
Today’s cars are really intelligent and can detect problems really well. When one of the ECUs sees a problem, it stores the fault directly in the error code memory. So you should always start by reading the errors.