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buzz86us@lemmy.world 2 days agoExcept these are the empty headed sensors that trigger the check engine light despite the engine running just fine
Flocklesscrow@lemm.ee 2 days ago
Wispy2891@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Isn’t the check engine light simply a timer and not an actual sensor? Programmed to light at least once a year and at least every 5k miles
sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
The check engine light can trigger for a host of reasons, one of which is routine maintenance like oil (5k miles these days). To know what’s causing it, you need to check the codes.
On most cars, if it blinks when starting up then goes away, it’s time to change the oil. If it stays on, it’s past time and/or there’s another sensor tripping.
Don’t ignore the check engine light. It takes like 30 sec to diagnose at any auto parts store, so just drop by and ask for a free scan if you don’t have a reader or don’t want to take it to a mechanic.
lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 day ago
one of which is routine maintenance like oil (5k miles these days) […] On most cars, if it blinks when starting up then goes away, it’s time to change the oil. If it stays on, it’s past time and/or there’s another sensor tripping.
The “check engine” light will never illuminate for an oil change reminder. If the vehicle is equipped as such, it’ll have a separate “maintenance reminder” light.
It takes like 30 sec to diagnose at any auto parts store,
Pulling codes ≠ diagnosing
If you’re taking it to a parts store to pull the codes, get the specific codes and nothing else. Don’t listen to the parts store guys, they are there to sell you parts.
sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
One of my older cars (2006) did trip the check engine light for oil changes IIRC. I could be mistaken though.
Regardless, checking the codes is always a good idea, never assume.
Don’t listen to the parts store guys, they are there to sell you parts.
Absolutely. But pulling the code is absolutely the first step to figuring out what went wrong. Sometimes it directly indicates the issue, and sometimes it trips due to another issue. I take the code, do a little research, and if I’m not confident in my own diagnosis (or it’ll be a costly repair), I’ll take it to a mechanic.
But don’t just sit on the check engine light. Figure out what it is and address it. In my state, you can’t pass emissions testing w/o having a clear check engine light (and yes, they check if you cleared it) or apply for an exemption, so we at least need to take care of it by then.
lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 day ago
No… That’s the oil change indicator. Different lights.
JordanZ@lemmy.world 1 day ago
A lot of modern cars can appear to be ‘running just fine’ but underneath the covers it’s pulled timing, altered fuel trims, etc. to appear normal and/or avoid damage but the computer stills knows that’s not a normal situation and alerts you to the problem. Unless you hook a scanner up and actually find out what the idiot light I telling you then you can’t be sure if it’s a false positive or not.
sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
Exactly. Modern cars are great at compensating for poor maintenance, but that doesn’t solve the problem.
Maintain your cars properly and they won’t need to compensate like this, meaning you’ll get better fuel economy and largely avoid costly repairs.