Is the check engine light flashing on your car?
The engine code could be minor, but there’s a good chance the problem is major if it’s red or flashing. If you see the check engine light come on, get your car serviced as soon as possible to prevent major problems. This article will discuss the different colors and blinking patterns of the check engine light, along with some of the meanings. We’ll go over possible places to have a diagnosis, what some of the codes indicate, and how to reset the light if it’s minor.
What causes the check engine light to come on?
The reasons the engine light comes on vary from car to car. The engine light can be triggered by the driver or by a fault in the onboard diagnostics system. It will also illuminate if one of the sensors has gone bad or if something is wrong with an emission system component. These systems are designed to protect you and your vehicle.
What do the different colors indicate?
The check engine light can be one solid color, or it may flash. The colors aren’t different from one automaker to another, so it doesn’t matter if you drive a BMW, Toyota, Jeep Wrangler, or Honda. Below are common colors you could see and what they indicate:
- White/amber: No significant meaning other than a fault in the emissions system.
- Yellow: This light indicates something is wrong with the exhaust emissions systems, including emission control, catalytic converter, or purge flow system.
- Red: This light indicates a serious problem, such as too little fuel in the gas tank or an engine compartment fire. The car should not be driven at all if this light comes on.
- Flashing red: This light indicates that something wrong has suddenly caused the engine to stop and is now restarting.
- Flashing yellow/amber: This light indicates that the engine is overheating or the cooling fan is not working properly. When this comes on, the engine temperature should be checked immediately to prevent severe damage.
What to do if the check engine light comes on
If the check engine light has come on, there’s no need to panic. You don’t want to ignore it because if the problem is serious, it can cause major damage to your car and cost you a lot of money. If the check engine light comes on, get your car checked at the first available opportunity. If you have a solid-colored light and don’t know what it means yet, look it up online. Many automakers have information about their vehicles posted on their websites.
Where can I get a free diagnosis of the check engine light?
Most auto parts stores like AutoZone or Pep Boys will check your car for free with an OBD 2 scanner. These scanners will return a code to show why the light is on. Some cars will illuminate a different light to show the problem, such as a battery or low fuel level, when the check engine light comes on. If you see another light flashing along with the check engine one, this may be what’s causing it.
How long can you drive with the check engine light on?
This depends on the color and if it’s flashing. The check engine light flashing could be serious. I’ve personally driven with the check engine light on for 3 months before, but it wasn’t anything major so I didn’t worry about it. However, if the color is red or flashing, you should try to diagnose the problem as soon as possible and deal with it before it becomes serious.
Check engine light flashing while driving?
As mentioned above, the check engine light flashing or blinking is bad! If this happens while you’re driving under normal conditions, pull over immediately and shut off the car. If the temperature gauge is moving quickly or you hear a squealing noise, it may be the fan belt or another component in the engine. If you turn off the car with this warning, you should be able to tell if your car is still running smoothly afterward. If not, then you’ll want to find the problem as soon as possible and get it fixed before too much damage is done to the engine.
Can you reset the check engine light?
Yes, if there’s no major issue present that will cause further damage, you can reset your check engine light by disconnecting and reconnecting your battery. Sometimes the issue that caused it will go away, but if this doesn’t work, you should seek further help from a mechanic. The engine light comes on in my Volvo C70 when it’s time to schedule an oil change or set an appointment to have other engine-related services. Sometimes the lube center will forget to turn off the engine light. I found simply disconnecting the battery doesn’t work this light. To correctly turn it off, I had to follow the steps below. I simply searched for “turn off engine light Volvo C70” to find these details. Change out my car for your car to find your instructions.
- Insert the key and turn the ignition to position I.
- Then press and hold the trip reset button and wait for the trip mileage to reset to zero.
- Now turn the key to position II while still holding the trip button.
- Release the trip button and remove the key.
Common codes for check engine light
Some of the causes that trigger the light to come on are the Exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR) being stuck open. Mass airflow sensor reading errors, broken oxygen sensor, fuel EVAP leak, spark plug misfire, and A/C Pressure Sensor failure. Below are some of the most common codes.
- P0340 – A P0340 code means that your vehicle’s O2 sensor has failed. This will cause you to get an air/fuel mixture error on the dashboard and may set off the check engine light or other warning lights. If you have this code, it’s likely that one or more of your vehicle’s oxygen sensors are malfunctioning.
- P0420 – This is a general code and could mean that there’s a problem with the catalytic converter, one of the O2 sensors, or a clogged fuel injector. Idle problems can cause this code to appear as well.
- P0441 – A P0441 code means that you have a problem with one or more of your O2 sensors. Replacing them should fix the problem. However, you’ll want to get it looked at by a mechanic as soon as possible so they can determine which sensor caused the issue and replace it(s) if needed.
- P0442 – A P0442 code means that there’s a large leak in the EVAP system. EVAP stands for emission vapor recovery system and is responsible for eliminating fuel vapors from your vehicle’s emissions. If you have this code, you will want to replace the gas cap as soon as possible and then get it looked at by a mechanic so they can make sure everything else is in working order.
- P0455 – A P0455 code means that there’s been a misfire in one or more of your vehicle’s cylinders, and the spark plugs may need to be replaced. If this is the case, you should seek help from a repair shop as soon as possible so they can determine which cylinder(s) is causing the issues.
- P0456 – This code is related to the above P0455 error and indicates that a single spark plug may have failed or the spark plugs need replacement.
- P0460 – A P0460 code means that your catalytic converter is not operating properly, possibly due to a bad O2 sensor. You’ll want to get it looked at by a professional mechanic as soon as possible.
- P0461 – This code is related to the above P0460 error and indicates that your vehicle’s O2 sensors are not functioning properly. You’ll need to get them replaced if this is the case.
- P0463 – A P0463 code means that you have insufficient fuel pressure, which can lead to misfires and increased emissions. If you have this code, check the fuel filter before seeking other help.
- P0464 – A P0464 code means that there’s a problem with your vehicle’s PCV system and may cause excess pressure in the engine oiling system. You should get this fixed by a mechanic as soon as you can.
- P0465 – This code is related to the above P0464 error and indicates that there’s a problem with your vehicle’s PCV valve. You’ll want to replace it if this is the case or seek other help from a mechanic.
These are just some of the most common codes out of the many that are possible. The best thing to do when your light comes on is to have an auto parts store check it, then have them provide a printout of the code, so you know what parts or services you’ll need. It could be a simple O2 sensor or gas cap that needs to be changed out, which can easily be done without hiring a mechanic.
