Lindenwold Check Engine Light

Lindenwold CEL Diagnosis

If you've never seen your car's check engine light (CEL) come on, you may not know what it means. The good news is that when the check engine light comes on, it's not usually a serious problem. We'll go over the reasons why your vehicle's check engine light might come on and explain what to do if it does. If you live or work in Lindenwold, check engine light service is nearby when you visit the Burns Hyundai Service Center.

Flashing vs. Steady Light

When the check engine light comes on, it will be a steady light most of the time. If the light is flashing, it's a sign there's a serious issue that needs attention right away. Most flashing lights are a signal that the engine's ignition system is misfiring. This condition causes unburned fuel to be dumped into the vehicle's exhaust system. Left unheeded, this will damage the catalytic converter. Replacing the catalytic converter is an expensive repair, so don't procrastinate. If your car's check engine light is flashing, pull over to a safe place, turn off the ignition, and call for roadside assistance.

If the check engine light is steady, it indicates a problem that needs attention but isn't urgent. Call the Burns Hyundai Service Center and schedule an appointment to bring your car for CEL testing & diagnosis near Lindenwold. We'll diagnose and correct the problem quickly.

These are some of the most common issues that can trigger a steady check engine light:

Broken Oxygen Sensor

Your vehicle's oxygen (O2) sensor measures the amount of unburned oxygen in the car's exhaust system. When this sensor goes bad, the engine will burn more fuel than necessary. You'll see a decrease in fuel economy. If a faulty O2 sensor isn't replaced, it can damage the vehicle's catalytic converter and spark plugs.

Damaged Mass Airflow Sensor

The mass airflow sensor measures the engine's air inflow and regulates the amount of fuel needed to run the engine efficiently. If this part breaks, it can damage the O2 sensor, the spark plugs and the catalytic converter. There will be a drop in fuel economy and performance.

Defective Catalytic Converter

Your car contains a catalytic converter that converts carbon monoxide into inert gases. If the catalytic converter isn't functioning, you'll experience decreased performance and a loss of fuel economy. If you live in an area where your car must pass an emissions test, it may fail.

Faulty Spark Plugs

Driving with bad spark plugs can damage the O2 sensor, the ignition coils and the catalytic converter. This also causes reduced performance and fuel economy.

Loose, Broken or Missing Gas Cap

Your car's gas cap is actually an important feature. It keeps the gasoline fumes from escaping into the air. This evaporation will create a drop in fuel economy. If the check engine light comes on, inspect the gas cap. If it's loose, tighten it. If it's damaged or missing, replace it.

If your check engine light comes on, call the professionals at the Burns Hyundai Service Center. Our expert service technicians will get to the bottom of the problem and get your car back on the road quickly.