Check Engine Light Diagnosis

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

Your vehicle has an Engine Control Unit (or ECU for short). The ECU is a computer that takes information from various sensors, using this information to keep track of your Chevy model's emissions and performance. When the ECU sees that one of these sensors shows that something is not as it should be, it will turn on the Check Engine Light and store a code pointing to the source of the problem.

Common Causes for the Check Engine Light To Turn On

There are many reasons the Check Engine Light may turn on. Below are a few of the more common ones; however, they are just a few possibilities. The Check Engine Light may come on due to problems with the:

How Should I React When the Check Engine Light Comes On?

When the Check Engine Light turns on, you will need to have the stored code read. At Friendly Chevrolet, we can hook your Chevy up to a code reader to see what's wrong.

If the Check Engine Light is solid, it's likely not an emergency. It's still important that you have the Check Engine Light diagnosed, but you can continue driving and make your appointment when you get where you're going. Since a solid light can still mean that your vehicle has increased emissions or decreased performance or fuel-efficiency, you should still have it checked soon.

However, if the Check Engine Light is flashing, it means that you should pull over and turn off your engine as soon as possible. A flashing Check Engine Light means that the engine is most likely misfiring, which can damage the catalytic converter.