ALT-1 Why is my Check Engine Light on
The check engine light shouldn’t be as scary as many make it out to be, most people dread the thought of it ever coming on. Vehicles of today use a computerized system that monitors various sensors and components throughout the car. Your car basically uses the check engine light to communicate what is going on inside.
Traditionally you had to try to diagnose a problem by process of elimination. Basically you would narrow down the problem then begin replacing parts or rebuilding things until it was back to normal and working properly. The computerized diagnostic system of today makes that whole process much simpler. When your check engine light comes on it means some system or sensor has failed or is not operation correctly. When this happens your vehicle stores a code in its computer. Most garages have expensive systems that can read the codes and give them the information they need to fix your car properly, but what most people don’t know is that it is fairly easy to “read” the codes yourself.
With some vehicles you can do a few simple tricks that will show you what is wrong with your car. For instance, I drive a 2000 Dodge Dakota and while my wife and I were driving to Massachusetts during Christmas to visit family, my check engine light came on. After a quick search on the internet, I found out that if I insert the key in the ignition, turn it to ON (but do not start it) then turn it to OFF, then back to ON, then OFF, and then turn it back to the ON position and leave it there, a code will appear in the digital odometer widow. I could then cross-reference that code with a list found either online or in a repair manual, and it will tell me what is wrong (which happened to be a bad Throttle Position Sensor in my case, luckily an inexpensive part and an easy fix).
You can also purchase a hand held code reader that will read the codes for you, they vary in price but typically the more expensive they are the more they will tell you. Some of the larger auto supply stores will offer to scan your car for free too, in hopes of you buying your parts from them, so that is always another option.
Even if you are not very comfortable with tools or with working on your vehicle, you should still find out what your check engine light is trying to tell you. Just a quick stop at an auto parts store can provide you with some good information when you take it to your mechanic. And you never know, you might even get a little kick out of being able to tell your mechanic what is wrong with your car, and be right.
