Chevrolet Check Engine Light Saint Maries

In most cases, the check engine light doesn’t signify an emergency, so there’s no need to panic. It may be something as minor as a defective gas cap. But there are instances when the check engine light is more serious. Whatever the reason, when the check engine light comes on, bring your Chevy to our Saint Maries Chevrolet CEL service center.

When the check engine light appears, it can either be steady or flashing. A steady light indicates a situation that needs to be checked and remedied, while a flashing light denotes something serious that must be addressed quickly. In most cases, a flashing check engine light means the ignition system is misfiring. This causes unburned fuel to be deposited directly into the exhaust system, resulting in a damaged catalytic converter. If left uncorrected, you’ll likely be faced with a serious repair. If you see a flashing check engine light, the best course of action is to pull over, turn off the ignition, and call for roadside assistance.

If the light is steady, there’s a problem that needs attention but isn’t urgent. If you see a steady check engine light, call the Knudtsen Chevrolet Service Center and make a service appointment. A steady check engine light can indicate one of several issues, including a faulty oxygen sensor, a bad catalytic converter, a damaged gas cap, a faulty mass airflow sensor or bad spark plugs.

Your Chevrolet’s oxygen (O2) sensor measures the unburned oxygen in the vehicle’s exhaust system. When the sensor is bad, it results in the engine burning more fuel. Your Chevy will experience a drop in fuel economy. If left unchecked, a faulty O2 sensor can damage the catalytic converter and/or the spark plugs.

Your Chevrolet contains a catalytic converter that converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. If the catalytic converter is no longer functioning properly, the vehicle will experience a drop in fuel economy, the engine will become less powerful, and it may fail an emissions test.

The gas cap may seem like an unimportant component of your vehicle, but it prevents gasoline fumes from escaping from the fuel system. If the gas cap is loose, you can simply tighten it, but if it’s damaged or missing, it must be replaced. Otherwise, the gasoline will evaporate and you’ll get lower fuel economy.

Your Chevrolet vehicle has a mass airflow sensor. This part measures the engine’s air inflow and controls the volume of fuel necessary to run the engine. If the mass airflow sensor is defective, it can cause damage to the vehicle’s catalytic converter, spark plugs and/or the O2 sensor. You’ll notice reduced performance as well as less fuel economy.

Bad spark plugs and wires can damage your Chevrolet’s O2 sensors, ignition coils and/or catalytic converter. You’ll notice a hit in performance as well as reduced fuel economy.