Check Engine Light On?

We can help.

The Check Engine Light or Service Engine Soon Light comes on for many different reasons.  Your vehicle's computer, or ECM (electronic control module), constantly monitors and controls your vehicle's powertrain (engine and transmission) to keep your vehicle running at maximum efficiency with the least emissions.  When your Check Engine Light illuminates, a sensor has determined that something is 'outside the norm' for what it is monitoring.  This could be your vehicle's idle, air/fuel mixture or even ignition timing.

When your Check Engine Light first comes on, it could be something very minor.  However, if left unchecked, your minor fix could quickly turn into a major repair costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars.  Here's why:  let's say your Check Engine Light comes on while you're driving to work.  Your vehicle's ECU has determined that the timing of the spark, called 'ignition timing', is off and should be able to adjust the ignition timing automatically.  However, if the knocking continues, you may end up destroying your engine.  Just think:  any 'knocking' in any engine usually means metal parts are banging together.  Over time, high heat and continual knocking could cause a catastrophic engine failure.

Also built into the ECU is an idle speed control.  The Check Engine Light, or Service Engine Soon Light, comes on if the engine idle goes beyond what the vehicle's ECU is programmed to understand is 'normal' idling.  Changes in the idle may come from power steering systems, electrical charging systems, HVAC systems, or power braking systems.  When any or all of these systems engage, it could lower your vehicle's idle.  If the load is too great, your Check Engine Light may come on.

If you're unsure of why your Check Engine Light illuminates, bring your vehicle to Creech Import Repair for a diagnosis!  With today’s new regulations concerning emissions, it is imperative that you maintain your car’s health by ensuring the parameters of the ECM are set correctly. We have the technology to take information from your vehicle’s ECM and start the diagnostic process. The ECM does not necessarily tell us exactly what is wrong with your vehicle, but it does give our technicians a great starting point and speeds up the entire repair process.

Contact the most trusted Check Engine Light experts in Raleigh, Creech Import Repair!