How Do I Check My Check Engine Light?

How Do I Check My Check Engine Light?

Most people consider the “check engine light” – or CEL – to be a major red flag when shopping for a car or truck. That actually makes sense because the engine light can activate for a wide range of highly expensive reasons. On the other hand, the CEL can also light up for things as minor as a loose gas cap. Knowing the difference can obviously be a huge advantage when shopping for used cars, and it’s not as difficult as you may think.

What Causes the Check Engine Light?

The CEL itself isn’t meant to give a lot of information to the driver. The concept behind it is to let you know there’s some problem involving the engine and/or transmission so you can take your car to a qualified mechanic to see what’s going on. The CEL tells the mechanic to access the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system, which then provides a digital code indicating what fault/error caused the light to go on.

Now, when this kind of onboard diagnostic system first came out, mechanics had to use highly specialized scanning tools that were relatively expensive for the time. They weren’t the kinds of things you could order online and carry around in your pocket – like now.

How Do I Know What’s Causing My Check Engine Light?

There are some ways to discover CEL codes without a scanner, but they involve complicated procedures like turning the ignition key in a certain pattern and counting the number of times the CEL blinks. However, a simple-to-use code reader compatible with second-generation onboard diagnostics – the standard for new passenger vehicles since 1996 – can be purchased for as little as $20 to $25. Known as OBD II or OBD 2 scanners, they make great tools not only for used-car shoppers but for just about anyone who owns a vehicle.

The scanners plug right into a small, easy-to-find port located under the dash and can get you the CEL code, and plenty more information, in minutes using an associated smartphone app. You can clear the codes – turning off the check engine light – using the tools as well. However, the CEL will eventually light up again unless you fix the underlying problem.

It’s also worth pointing out that many auto parts stores, such as Advanced Auto Parts, AutoZone, and O’Reilly Auto Parts, will scan your car’s codes for free. This is more helpful when you need to find out the CEL codes for your own ride, but you could conceivably take a car you’re considering buying to one of these places during a test drive.

What If My Check Engine Light Is Blinking?

There are thousands of different error codes that could cause a CEL to come on, but it usually takes something serious for the light to start blinking on and off. For example, a common reason for a blinking CEL is a misfiring engine. That’s when the timing of the combustion process is off for a particular cylinder. At that stage, a vehicle should get immediate attention or be at significant risk for critical damage to key engine components.

Now that you know more about the check engine light, you can start shopping here, start selling here, and enjoy the whole HMSMC site from wherever you have an Internet connection.