Fix a check engine light in London Ontario

Check engine light, it glows on the dash of your car when the car has some problem. Some people immediately take the car to the dealer, some people just ignore it. Even some people call it an idiot light and put a piece of electrical tape over it. (I’ve seen a video on Youtube that a guy explains how to put tape very professionally for about 5 minutes!) Whatever you think about this light and however you deal with the light, it is a good idea to understand some basics of the whole system including the light.

Check engine light is one of warning indicator lamps on the instrument panel. The light is just a part of on-board diagnostic (OBD) system. The system consists of a vehicle’s computer, a variety of sensors and components and check engine light. The vehicle’s computer collects all status of the car from sensors and give signals to each components to control the engine so it can run effectively and efficiently, as well as minimize pollution level. Everything is done by electricity. It’s done at the speed of light. Even if the problem happened just a second the vehicle’s computer can tell and memorize. Depending on problems, the computer counts how many times or how long the problem happens. When it is enough, the computer tell you so by turning on a small yellow indicator lamp, check engine light.

The problem of the whole system is that the vehicle’s computer can’t give drivers enough information. You have the right to know your car’s problem. You don’t want to go to the dealer every single time the light comes on. And sometimes the light comes on because of small problems, like a gas cap is loose. If it is the case, going to the dealer would be big waste of time and money. Believe it or not, this problem is very common. Cars made in 1996 and newer, OBD2 is mandatory. The first generation of OBD system couldn’t detect a loose gas cap. Around the time OBD2 was just introduced, so many people experienced the same problem and still relatively many people take their cars with a loose gas cap to the dealer or mechanic shop.

So what can you do to save your time and money? Some new cars have advanced diagnostic and information system, like GM’s OnStar and Ford’s SYNC. These advanced technologies get vehicle’s information from nothing but OBD system. You don’t need monthly subscription to know your car’s condition. You don’t need to buy a new car to appreciate the value of OBD sytem.

Any cars made and sold in the U.S. since 1996 has OBD2 port. This is a connector for auto diagnostic tools. The shape of port is the same on every car. This mean you can scan any cars with the same tool. The tools are called scan tool. A scan tool tells you some clue of proper diagnosis. Depending on models of scan tools, it shows more and more, like speed, rpm, temperature, pressure, mpg and so on.

Not only when check engine light comes on, but also you regularly get information that a scan tool shows and keep your car in good shape. This is the best way to save your time and money.