The "Check machine Light" in My Car Keeps arrival On - What Does this Light Mean?

Reader Question: My check motor light came on the other day what should I do? Will it hurt my car if I continue to drive it?
Thanks James

The "Check machine Light" in My Car Keeps arrival On - What Does this Light Mean?

Dear James,

I hear this line at least once a week. The instrument panel on most cars is surely cluttered with warning indicator lights and buzzers. These lights are color-coordinated so that distinct colors indicate the severity of the inherent problem. As you start the car, all of the lights should come on, and as the computer verifies each component is working properly, the light is turned off. You should only be involved with lights that remain on for several minutes after the car has been started. Check motor or assistance motor soon lights can be tricky to repair, so a exiguous help on your part could surely save the mechanic some diagnostic time, and save you some money!

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Treat check motor lights-service motor soon lights, and all dash lights like traffic signals. A Red Warning light indicates an immediate danger. Pull over, turn off the car immediately and assess the problem. Symptoms that commonly cause red warning lights are motor over-heating, low oil pressure, transmission over-heating, low battery voltage, and brake failure.

Red lights can also indicate a safety issue, so hike with caution as you maneuver to stop the vehicle. Unfortunately, when the red light is illuminated the question is at its peek. It can be a matter of seconds before permanent motor damage occurs.

Some coarse things to look for when a red light comes on are:

* low anti-freeze, motor oil, and transmission fluid levels

* low brake fluid

* missing belts

* faulty alternator that is not charging the battery or a bad battery

To decode check motor lights, you surely need a ability repair manual like those provided at Alldata. They consist of troubleshooting procedures, Recall information and Technical assistance Bulletins. Click Here to get your manual today and find out what that check motor light surely means.

A Yellow Warning light, (Usually a assistance motor soon light) indicates "Proceed with caution." The onboard computer system has indicated a inherent question and is alerting the driver. This computer system resets and re-tests all sensors and indicators each time the car is started. The computer system is capable of correcting some minor abnormalities, but if the light continues to come on after multiple car starts, it is probably sensing something that would imply a visit to the diagnostic mechanic is in order.

Some coarse things that may cause a yellow light (Service motor soon light) to come on, but will probably need an experienced technician to diagnose are:

* anti-lock brake systems

* safety restraint systems, such as air bags

* emissions components

* computer-related problems, such as faulty sensors

If you are driving your car and a yellow light comes on, ask yourself these questions:

1. Did you consideration problems when starting the car? (slower to start than normal..etc.)

2. Have you noticed a decrease in fuel mileage recently?

3. What is the over-all running condition of the car? Is the motor misfiring or not performing like normal? Are there any new noises from under the hood? Turn off the radio and listen closely as you drive the car.

4. Do you consideration any odors, such as a rotten egg smell, or see illustrated smoke from the tail-pipe or from under the hood?

Make sure to note the exact location and wording of the light that has been advent on, because Murphy's Law dictates that the light will suddenly not come on when you take it in to the repair shop.

In some cars, "engine" is the more serious red light, whereas others use "check motor light," which is a yellow caution light. If the mechanic thinks you are finding a yellow "check motor light," and your car is indicating a red "engine" danger light, this could be a high-priced mistake for both of you. Why? You could be having a serious over heating question and the mechanic is assuming you are having a less serious caution light illuminating. The mechanic then might give you the "green light" (no pun intended) to hike with your out of town road trip with the kids. Yikes!

Start the car, and point to the light to ensure good communication of the problem. Intermittent dash warning lights can be a pain and hard to diagnose! Diagnosing the question in some cases will need the light to be on while the mechanic performs the diagnostic test. If the light is not on when you bring the car to the shop, you might be wasting your time and the mechanic's.

Side Note: Keep a "running condition and dash light" log in your car to help the mechanic pin point the root of the problem. I have a buyer who keeps such an literal, log of her cars' complaints that sometimes I can diagnose the question correctly with the help of her log and by taking her along on my introductory test drive.

I can do my determination commonly without opening the hood to her car. This saves me time and she saves money on a diagnostic charge. This buyer can also hold me to my warranty time period, because she had this single complaint written in her log book.

The "Check machine Light" in My Car Keeps arrival On - What Does this Light Mean?

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