What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your Chrysler is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few different ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light illuminates in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your vehicle. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance since the 80s and do a variety of things for your Chrysler. Some of these include shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, controlling engine speed, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a variety of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as serious as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your Chrysler, contact Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. Contact Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram today! Our Chrysler service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or investigate why your check engine light is flashing.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your Chrysler will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will turn itself off. Likewise, if your catalytic converter is going functional, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, that may have turned on the check engine light due to the high usage of the converter. In most cases, your Chrysler light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.
Chrysler Check Engine Light Flashing
Although there are countless potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are several common causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other common reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, faulty emissions control part, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty head gasket, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, or defective spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Chrysler Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as needed to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Chrysler issue was fixed.
Every Chrysler was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its crucial systems. The sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. However, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what exactly is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Highly Qualified Service professional.
Chrysler Check Engine Light Codes
The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminates, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear right away. If you hear the term, diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), these are just another name for check engine light codes. These are automotive computer codes stored by the ECM, also known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you useful knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, obvious and helpful vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are also hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:
- Emissions controls issues
- Bad Spark Plugs
- Ignition system faults
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Old Battery
- Computer output circuit issues
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- O2 Sensor
- Transmission issues
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The average price for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is customarily between $88 and $111. The positive news, Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help select the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not subsequently tightened to a more thoughtful failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it positive to get the convenient code reading and diagnosis.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a Chrysler?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a serious problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow typically means something less serious but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in serious trouble and service is needed immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your Chrysler, we highly recommend not to drive the vehicle and schedule Chrysler service today. Below is a list of the most common reasons your check engine light can come on:
- One of the most acceptable and many cause is that your Chrysler gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your Chrysler serves multiple purposes. It prevents gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps maintain pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you own a bad fuel cap? If your gas cap is former or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on immediately after you put gas in your Chrysler, authentic thing you should check is to make sure the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
- Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, current as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be fewer dynamic when it comes to fuel economy.
- Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Chrysler is what determines how much fuel is essential to run your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to cognizant changes, like altitude. If your Chrysler is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or alternative item can wreak havoc on your Chrysler if it’s not installed accurately. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound current, bring your to Chrysler and own our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed accurately and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, chiefly aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts authentic place might cost a little bit more but could save you money from having to get feasible work and break caused by feasible installation work corrected.
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in you Chrysler every direct. Without a car battery, your car won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s car batteries last much longer than they did a little decades ago, and they don't surely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Chrysler you drive, but check our existing service coupons and specials. So what happens if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A faulty sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause break to your catalytic converter and your Chrysler 's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to imply the feasible mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A bad O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
- Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Chrysler ’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's perform is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A damaged catalytic converter is usually caused by neglected maintenance, which is why Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Chrysler service. If you own an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your Chrysler will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your car may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause alternative problems from overheating.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are essential for your Chrysler. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run. The spark plug wires transport the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If you're spark plugs or spark plug wires are bad or former, you will experience feasible performance and reduced power. In a little extreme cases, your engine will own trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause clogged catalytic converter or break to ignition coils and O2 sensors, first-rate to more expensive repairs.
- Your Chrysler has a vacuum leak. Every Chrysler has a vacuum system that performs a wide difference of functions. The vacuum system also helps lessen harmful emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine. If you notice that your RPM is high in idle or randomly surges, a vacuum leak could be the cause. Over time, vacuum hoses can dry out and crack, chiefly if they’re exposed to exciting heat or extreme bitter.
How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
If you check engine light is flashing, we endorse that you pull over and contact Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram to help mean if your car is protected to drive in or if we endorse a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy subsequently. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. Since all check engine code has its own level of severity, it is difficult to predict how many miles you can drive with the warning light on.
Is it safe to drive your Chrysler with the check engine light on?
This question is not excessively distinguishable because it all depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be safe to drive. This is consistently indicated by a detailed glow of the check engine light. If you notice a range in the performance of the vehicle, it could be an indication of a more serious problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is recommended to service your Chrysler abruptly. Call the experts at Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram by dialing 8136948784 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and transport your Chrysler to our certified mechanics as soon as feasible.
Chrysler Check Engine Light
If the check engine light in your Chrysler starts flashing, that means that the problem needs urgent attention and your Chrysler should be brought in urgently. A flashing light indicates that the problem is applicable and if not taken care of urgently may result in major wear and tear to the vehicle. This blinking light usually indicates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can quickly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can absolutely be the cause. A bad, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram abruptly by calling 8136948784. If the problem is ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a very expensive repair.
Check Engine Light Service Chrysler
What do you do when you’re driving along in your Chrysler and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Chrysler owners, your heart sinks a little because you have little idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the cost of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is recommended that you get your Chrysler checked as soon as possible. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major damage to expensive engine components.
When your Chrysler 's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t correct, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is typically labeled “check engine” or “service engine soon”, or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, or a picture of the engine with the word “check.”
When the light turns on, the ECM stores an engine code or “trouble code” in its memory that identifies as the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an electronic scan tool that is used by our Chrysler auto repair mechanics at Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. There are also a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you choose that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced professional to determine the issue and repair it.