Check Engine Light Diagnosis

When your check engine light comes on, it can be easy to ignore it. This is a signal that something is wrong with your vehicle. If you put off getting your vehicle serviced for too long, your vehicle can develop serious problems that could have been avoided. When you see that check engine light come on or start to blink, bring it to Russ Darrow Nissan of Milwaukee for a check engine light diagnosis. Technicians will know what issue needs to be addressed. While our service center is located in Milwaukee, WI, many customers take the short drive from the communities of ?Wauwatosa, West Allis, Brookfield, and Menomonee Falls for quality Nissan service. Check Engine Light Diagnosis

The Check Engine Light

When your vehicle’s computer engine management system identifies a problem with the vehicle, it illuminates an icon on the instrument panel. For most vehicles, when the light comes on, it means that there is a small issue with the vehicle’s systems. When it is flashing, that means there is a major system failure. Each time the light comes on, the motor’s control unit stores a fault code. Technicians can retrieve the code and correct the problem.

Reasons the Check Engine Light Illuminates

There are many reasons the light comes on, including severe engine failure and a loose gas cap. That’s why it’s so important to have it checked out. Some of the more common causes include:

• Overused spark plugs – This may indicate that they need to be changed.
• Loose gas cap
• Faulty oxygen sensor – This sensor determines how much oxygen is in your exhaust system.
• Faulty mass airflow sensor – This may indicate that your air filter needs to be changed.
• Odometer triggers – Some older vehicles will trip the check engine light when mileage-based maintenance needs to be performed.

Sometimes, the check engine light can be falsely triggered. For instance, gas additives can trigger faulty oxygen sensor readings.