Check Engine Light Services In Waldorf, MD
Check Engine Light
J.J.'s Auto Service Center
Is Your Check Engine Light On? It’s Time To Check It Out.
The “Check Engine” light on your dashboard is probably one of the most misunderstood warning lights in your car. Although the warning light may look ominous, it may be as simple as a loose gas cap or it could be as serious as a misfiring engine.
If you are driving down the road and the light pops on, it does not mean you need to pull over and call a tow truck immediately, but it does mean you need to get the car checked out as soon as possible. You do not want to ignore a check engine light, or you could face major repairs down the road.
When your check engine light is on, bring your car to J.J.'s Auto Service Center. We'll use our engine diagnostic computer to pull the codes, perform the diagnostics and then explain the findings and give you a written report.
These are some of the common codes that are seen on many vehicles:
- Problem with the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor or circuit
- System Running Too Lean
- System Running Too Rich
- Cylinder Misfire
- Knock Sensor Circuit Malfunction
- Catalyst System Efficiency below Threshold
Best auto repair shop near me? The next time you search for this, just look for J.J.'s Auto Repair Center.
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J.J.'s Auto Service Center has been helping drivers across Charles County, including Waldorf Md, White Plains MD, and La Plata MD maintain their vehicles. With ASE-certified mechanics, we can take care of all of your auto repair and maintenance needs. From oil changes, filter replacements, and fluid flushes to brakes and brake repair, shocks and struts, muffler repair, and tires, we've got you covered.
Use the quick link in the gold bar to book an appointment at J.J.'s Auto Service Center today!
Check Engine Light – What is it, and Why?
Check Engine Light
The whole purpose behind the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light is to alert you to a minor problem before it becomes a bigger issue.
Common Reasons the Check Engine Light comes on.
Reason #1 – A Loose or Faulty Gas Cap – Yes, surprisingly this can cause the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light to come on. This is a simple and inexpensive fix – one you can easily do yourself. Start by taking the gas cap off and putting it back on. You'll then need to drive the vehicle a few times to get the Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) system to reset and turn the light off. If the light remains on after a few drives, you may want to consider replacing the gas cap. When doing this, you'll want to get a cap that was specifically made for your vehicle. Again, you have to drive the vehicle a few times for the ODB system to reset.
Reason #2 – Faulty Oxygen Sensor: For your car's engine to operate efficiently, it requires a particular ratio of oxygen to gasoline. When there is too little oxygen, your engine will be running “rich” from gasoline that is left over from the combustion process. Too much oxygen causes poor engine performance and can even damage the engine. The oxygen sensor works with the engine's computer to determine and adjust the ratio of air to gasoline. When the sensor is faulty, the computer cannot properly adjust the air/gasoline ratio and the light comes on. A malfunctioning sensor can cause loss of engine power and will eventually foul your spark plugs and catalytic converter.
During cold starting, only a small amount of oil is present in the upper parts of engines. To lessen the friction when upper engine parts, such as the valve train, pistons, overhead cam and cam bearings, scrub against each other, a lower viscosity allows the oil to reach the components more quickly.
Reason #3 – Spark Plugs & Wires: The spark plugs and wires in your vehicle wear out and need to be replaced. Worn plugs and wires will affect the combustion process. Plugs that are misfiring are noticeable when you accelerate – you may feel a little jolt. Don't wait until the spark plugs and wires are completely worn out. Have them replaced according to the schedule recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Reason #4 – Mass Airflow Sensor is Faulty: The mass airflow sensor measures the amount of air going through the air filter. It then tells the computer how much fuel is needed based on the amount of air entering the engine. With a faulty mass airflow sensor, you notice poor gas mileage. The vehicle may also begin to stall. If you delay replacing the mass airflow sensor, you risk damaging the spark plugs, oxygen sensor, and/or the catalytic converter.