Few things fill a driver with dread quite like a dashboard light, and the check engine light, in particular, is a major worry. Even if you follow your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance routine to the letter, you’ll still run into problems from time to time. And in some unfortunate cases, you might even find the check engine light on right after you’ve taken your vehicle for a service.
If this sounds like you, don’t panic just yet. Here, we’ll go over steps you can take to diagnose your check engine light and find a certified mechanic who can fix things. We’ll also review how to protect yourself financially with an extended auto warranty if and when unexpected repairs come up.
Dashboard Warning Lights and Their Meanings
Before we deep dive into the check engine light, it’s worth familiarizing ourselves with the other dashboard lights and why they might crop up. Including the check engine light, there are 13 common dashboard lights in total:
- Battery light: This little battery-shaped symbol will flicker to life when you’re experiencing power problems. It could be because your battery is completely flat, or maybe there’s a more long-term issue, like a malfunctioning alternator.
- Coolant temperature light: This light looks like a thermometer being dipped into a liquid and indicates that your car is running too hot. There are a number of reasons why this might be the case, such as low coolant levels in the radiator, a broken water pump, a leaking coolant hose, or even damage to the radiator itself.
- Transmission temperature light: A thermometer within a gear wheel, this light is a sign that internal pieces of your gearbox are reaching a critical temperature. This can be caused by towing something excessively heavy, low transmission fluid levels, or excessive wear on your transmission.
- Oil pressure warning light: This retro oil can is an indication that there’s a problem with your oil pressure, which could simply mean your oil needs topping off, an oil change, or that there’s a more serious problem — like a leak in the engine.
- Tire pressure monitoring system light: This light looks a little like a fishbowl with an exclamation point in the middle. It is a sign that your tires are under or overinflated. If they’re underinflated, it could be due to a puncture.
- Brake system light: A red exclamation point within a circle (and brackets) is the signal that your brake system is having issues. There are a few things that can cause it to light up, from driving with your parking brake engaged, to worn brake pads, low brake fluid levels, or a problem with the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
- Traction control/stability control light: This little car with two squiggly lines beneath comes on to let you know that the traction control system is active and doing its job. If it appears when you’re driving in dry conditions at moderate speeds, there could be a problem with the traction control system itself.
- Airbag warning light: If this symbol stays illuminated while you’re driving, it’s likely there’s an issue with one or more of your airbags. This could be extremely dangerous if you get into a collision, so make sure to get it rectified ASAP.
- Lamp out light: This is a less serious but still important dashboard light that will appear if one of your car’s bulbs is out. If it’s a headlamp or taillight, replace it as soon as you can. It could cause an accident or get you a fine.
- Washer fluid light: This water fountain icon will illuminate to tell you that your washer fluid is running low. Top it up so that you can clean the windshield and don’t struggle with visibility.
- Door open light: One of your doors (or trunk) isn’t shut properly. If you see this while you’re driving, pull over safely and close the culprit.
- Low fuel light: We’ve all seen this more than we’d like to admit. Fill up on fuel at the nearest gas station, or you could find yourself stranded at the roadside.
7 Common Reasons for a Check Engine Light After Service
You might be surprised to see the check engine light rear its head after an auto service, but it isn’t unheard of.
Generally, the check engine light appears not for a single reason but for a few common causes that are happening simultaneously. Typical explanations include:
- A faulty ignition coil: The ignition coil helps the engine mix fuel. Modern engines have multiple coils, and it only takes one to fail for the Check Engine light to switch on. While driving your vehicle, you may experience shaking, misfiring, or unexpected loss of power.
- Spark plug issues: Spark plugs provide electricity to the car and let the fuel ignite within the engine’s cylinders. If yours are failing, your vehicle won’t be performing as well as it should, and your fuel economy will be poor.
- A loose fuel cap: A quick one to check and fix, take a look at your fuel cap and make sure it’s fastened properly. If your loose gas cap is a result of damage, you can replace it fairly easily.
- A vacuum leak: The vacuum redirects the pathway of fumes to reduce harmful emissions. A leak will cause high RPM or a rough idle state and should be looked at right away to prevent damage to other parts of the vehicle.
- Catalytic converter failure: The catalytic converter is a crucial component that turns carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. If it isn’t working as it should, you’ll experience a sluggish engine that produces dark exhaust smoke.
- A broken exhaust gas recirculation valve: Redirecting nitrogen oxide expelled by the engine back to combustion, the exhaust system recirculation valve maximizes fuel while preventing most harmful gases from escaping. It can often be removed and cleaned rather than replaced completely.
- Mass airflow sensor failure: The airflow sensor monitors the amount of air coming into the engine and makes adjustments accordingly. Failure of the oxygen sensor could mean you have trouble starting your car.
If you had a repair carried out because your check engine light was showing and it’s still there after leaving the auto shop, try not to worry too much at first. The car’s internal computer only resets after a set period, during which it checks all of its sensors once again. This can take up to 20 cycles (with a cycle happening when you turn off the car and switch it back on), or 50-100 miles of driving.
Steps to Take When the Light Comes On
The obvious thing to do would be to head to a trusted auto shop and have a professional take a look, but you may want to attempt to diagnose the problem yourself first. It could be a relatively quick fix, or it could be the kind of problem that risks doing greater damage to your car’s inner workings if you drive any further.
By getting your hands on an OBD2 scanner, you can connect directly to your car’s computer and get to the bottom of the issue. You can generally borrow or buy these scanners or code readers from your local auto parts store. The device connects to your vehicle’s computer and will present you with a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that tells you which component(s) are faulty and what might be wrong with them. If you aren’t familiar with error codes, reference lists can be easily found on websites like Kelly Blue Book (KBB).
When the problem is so severe that it isn’t sensible to drive anywhere, give roadside assistance a call and have your vehicle towed to a mechanic instead. You don’t want to risk an even more expensive repair bill or voiding any warranties that might be in place.
Why It’s Essential to Use Certified Mechanics
While it can be tempting to go to the cheapest mechanic possible — or maybe even try some DIY repair work — it really isn’t recommended. If an auto mechanic isn’t certified, they aren’t recognized as having the skills or qualifications to carry out the work to an acceptable standard, which can cause all sorts of problems later down the line.
For example, if your car’s engine repair isn’t completed properly, you could be back to square one before you know it. And there’s a slim chance the mechanic will be willing to make good without requiring further payment. Sketchy work can also cause damage to surrounding components, so while you may have saved some money on the initial repair, you’ll pay the rest and then some to fix these additional problems.
If you have an extended auto warranty in place, your provider will only cover repairs carried out by an authorized dealership or certified repair shop — so non-certified work will have to be paid for out of pocket. On top of that, any components damaged by non-certified work will no longer be eligible for coverage. Some providers will void your contract altogether.
Leveraging the RepairPal Network for Reliable Repairs
It can be hard to find a repair shop you trust, so Endurance has teamed up with RepairPal to give you access to the RepairPal Network. Using our online tool, you can search for certified auto repair shops and mechanics near you. Just enter your zip code, vehicle make, and when you’ll be available to see the best matches in your area. To help you choose, each shop has a star rating based on real customer reviews, so take a look and select the one that best suits your needs.
Best of all, every auto shop in the network is approved to carry out repairs covered by extended warranties and vehicle service contracts (after authorization from your provider). So wherever you are in the country, when a breakdown occurs, there’s someone close by who can help you out.
How Endurance Can Cover Mechanical Issues
It goes without saying that a vehicle’s engine is one of its most crucial components and one of the most expensive to repair. Thankfully, though, it’s also part of the powertrain, which is covered at all levels of Endurance Warranty plans, depending on your individual contract. As America’s Best Vehicle Protection Plan Provider, you can drive with confidence, knowing that should the worst happen, you can count on us to have your back.
Pick our Secure Plus plan, and you’ll have a wide range of mechanical issues covered. Upgrade to our popular Supreme plan for the most comprehensive protection available. If a check engine issue is included in your contract, all you need to do is visit a certified auto shop and let them know you have an Endurance contract, and we’ll take care of the rest. Unless your plan has a deductible, your wallet never needs to leave your pocket.
Along with top-quality component coverage, we also offer some of the best standard benefits of any auto protection provider. All Endurance plans come with 24/7 roadside assistance (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. In addition, you can activate a year’s worth of our Elite Benefits package, which includes up to four tire repairs or replacements annually, key fob replacement, up to $500 in collision discounts, and up to $1,000 in total loss protection.*
Safeguard Your Engine with the Best Auto Protection Plan
If you’re interested in extended auto coverage and want to learn more about Endurance, call our award-winning team of advisors at (800) 253-8203. You can also request a FREE quote online or shop our eStore to check out plan options and see pricing at a glance.
We also have an extended warranty blog where you can find plenty of helpful articles on seasonal car issues, preventative maintenance, and more.