Check engine light on again
I have a 2006 gmc truck that has been regularly maintained. I replaced the mass air flow filter last Dec., was smogged in Sept.(passed) and 3 days ago replaced the cannister purge valve now the engine light is on again is this a problem in gmc trucks? What is the worst thing that can happen if the light stays on or continues to have problems with the evap system??
My car has 70000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Your check engine light may come on for many different reasons such as a faulty mass air flow sensor, a faulty O2 sensor, a bad catalytic converter, bad spark plugs or wires and many other reasons. Unfortunately due to the wide range of possibilities for the check engine light to come on, the best way to narrow down the scope of what may be causing this is to have the vehicle hooked up to a scanning tool to download any potential fault codes that may have registered in the computer. The disadvantage to not having this looked at or diagnosed to determine what is causing the light to come on is that because it can come on for so many different things, you may not know what exactly it is coming on for which may mean something very serious or something not as serious. For this reason, it is always best to at least have it diagnosed to determine what is causing it to come on. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your vehicle to determine what may be causing your check engine light to come on.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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The reasons for a check engine light turning on can range from something minor like a loose gas cap to something more serious like a faulty catalytic converter. It could even be a sign of internal engine failure. Ignoring the problem can turn a potentially quick fix into a costly and time-consuming repair.
The check engine light can also be on for no reason, which is not always bad. However, sometimes it just indicates that something needs to be checked or replaced. It`s not uncommon for us to drive around with our check engine light on for days or even weeks.
A check engine light will shut itself off if the condition that caused it is remedied. So, if your converter is marginal, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, which creates high demand for the converter, that may have turned on the check engine light.
The Light Stays On
If you`re experiencing this, don`t panic. You may think that there is still a problem with the car after the repair, but it`s because the light needs time to reset. The car`s internal computer only resets after a set period where it checks all of its sensors once more.
Can you drive a car with the engine light on? It`s okay to drive for a few miles, but be sure to schedule an inspection of the engine as soon as possible. If the check engine light comes on while you`re driving, don`t panic! Pay attention and see if the car is driving any differently than normal.
Check your gas cap first. Many vehicles have a loose gas cap indicator that will be triggered before your check engine light comes on. If your gas cap is loose or the seal is not tight, the vapor leakage can cause your fuel system to trigger the check engine light.
Because the sensor can no longer regulate the fuel mixture, a car`s emissions will go up. While O2 Sensors are robust, they are exposed to the elements, and will deteriorate. Once this happens, the sensor will throw a fault, and thus the Check Engine light comes on.
To make sure the check engine light does not reappear, it`s recommended that you drive your car 30 to 100 miles. This enables the vehicle`s “Drive Cycle” to reset, as the various sensors need time to recalibrate.
A steady check engine light indicates a non-emergency issue, such as a loose gas cap. Flashing check engine lights warn of severe situations requiring immediate attention. Standardized diagnostic codes help identify the trouble.
So, what does it mean when you can`t find any codes? Check engine light flashing but no codes usually happen when you use the wrong OBD II scanner or one that`s incompatible with your car model. A blown fuse or electrical short in the car system could also cause the light to come on for no reason.
A steady check engine light indicates a non-emergency issue, such as a loose gas cap. Flashing check engine lights warn of severe situations requiring immediate attention. Standardized diagnostic codes help identify the trouble.
A steady check engine light indicates a non-emergency issue, such as a loose gas cap. Flashing check engine lights warn of severe situations requiring immediate attention. Standardized diagnostic codes help identify the trouble.
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To diagnose this issue properly you need a complete vehicle inspection to start from square one and identify the root cause of all this.
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