The 'Check Engine' indicator light turns ON
The 'Check Engine' indicator lamp, which is also known as the 'Malfunction Indicator Lamp' (MIL) is a safety device for the user (driver) of the vehicle that something is not just under the hood. The only way to detect the fault and eventually reset it is by using an OBD2 diagnostic scanner. All cars from 1996 use the second generation OBD2 software system (On-Board Diagnostic System II). All of today's cars are controlled through a Powertrain Control Module (PCM), also known as the Electronic Engine Management System (EMS), which is your engine's computer. Europeans refer to this as the ECU (Electronic Control Unit), which is the same. So if a MIL light comes on, you will have two options:
Take your vehicle to your main agent (dealer) or a vehicle specialist.
Read fault codes and make necessary repairs yourself
Never continue to drive any vehicle when the "Check Engine" warning light does not go out. Although this indicator is known as a safety parameter warning light, which means that the car can still run, the engine is still running but is not working as intended. If the indicator is constantly on, it should STOP immediately. Failure to do so without really knowing what the fault is can lead to engine disaster. The vehicle must be towed to a location for repairs, either to a specialist or if you are doing your own repairs, to your own location.
On the other hand, there is the 'Check Engine' flashing light syndrome. This means that the fault is not constantly displayed and is being erased by the vehicle's cycles. This is a less serious flaw, but still needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Intermittent failure could be somewhat minor which, if left unattended, could become somewhat larger and more expensive. These electronic signal fault codes are decoded through an automotive diagnostic OBD2 scanner.
These vehicle OBD scanners (I and II) can scan and eventually reset the following symptoms:
Check motor or MIL light when activated
Poor acceleration of the vehicle
Engine idling at idle
Higher fuel consumption than normal
The most common and probable causes of these symptoms can be through the codes of the oxygen sensors (P0130 - P0167) or the EVAP code (P0445). These failures will also likely result in an emission test failure, meaning the vehicle is not legal on the road in its current tuned state. Some failures can result through a simple leaky joint where the joint is broken by its sealing action, in turn marking a fault code in the OBD software system. These scanners have the ability to give non-reset fault code readings in real-time and allow the operator to locate the exact symptoms, thus avoiding going through the process of eliminating any guesswork like changing this, changing that, etc.
The correct diagnosis will detect the fault and, through a simple analysis detection, the technician will be aware of the real problem. These benefits are mutual for both the client, who pays less for working time and for the excessive and unnecessary change of parts. Even the mechanic/technician benefits from this situation since their own time translates into money: they trade in a business where service and repairs are supposed to be done on an hourly basis, excluding parts. However, when the fault repair time becomes unrealistic, they are forced to take a different approach, generally agreeing the stipulated amount between management and the customer.
Anyone with little basic knowledge and some home research on the subject can take these readings from an OBD2 diagnostic scanner or a code reader. More technical people can do some or most of the repairs themselves; while less technically inclined people can still use this device before going to their specialized repair center, preventing the mechanic from adding some additional nonexistent faults. These readers have the potential to reduce your vehicle's malfunctioning operating costs in many ways and should be viewed as an asset to your vehicle ownership https://www.amazon.com/Xtruck-Scanner-Universal-Analyzer-Diagnostic/dp/B...
Anyone with little basic knowledge and some home research on the subject can take these readings from an OBD2 diagnostic scanner or a code reader.