Jacksonville Emissions Repair & Maintenance
Check Engine Light
The CHECK ENGINE LIGHT on your instrument panel can light up for a wide
variety of reasons. Drivers often ignore the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT when it
illuminates. According to a national survey, more than one in 10
drivers admit they drive with the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT on-approximately 20
million automobiles per week. A third of these said they operated their
automobiles for more than three months even though they knew the
light—a dashboard indicator that signals a malfunction in a automobile's
engine, transmission or emissions systems-was illuminated.
Maintenance and automobile:
If
your automobile is equipped with onboard diagnostics, the CHECK ENGINE
LIGHT (in some models, the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light) should flash
briefly once you turn the ignition to on, then flashes and goes out. It
should remain out while you are driving. Do not ignore the light if it
remains lit — there could be a simple solution, or it could be a warning
sign of a much more severe condition. Jacksonville AAMCO auto repair
shops can diagnose whatever the problem may be.
On-Board Diagnostics
The
on-board diagnostics computer system known as OBD II has been mandatory
on automobiles built since 1996. It uses a network of computer sensors
to monitor the automobile's o perating conditions.
Maintenance and automobile:
Often
the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (in some models, the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light)
will light to alert you to problems detected by the computer. The
on-board computer stores a diagnostic trouble code when it detects a
problem; the trained mechanics at Jacksonville AAMCO can access this
information using a scanning device connected to the automobile's
computer.
Oxygen Sensor
If
you have ever driven a automobile or behind a automobile with a “rotten
egg” smell, it can be due to a faulty oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor
is in the exhaust system, and in part provides information to the
on-board computer to help calculate fuel delivery to the engine.
Maintenance and automobile:
The
oxygen sensor should be replaced by a Jacksonville AAMCO mechanic at
the interval indicated in your owner's manual, or if there are signs of a
faulty oxygen sensor. The signs include that rotten egg smell from the
exhaust, poor gas mileage, failing an emissions test, and poor
acceleration. Some automobiles also have an oxygen sensor light that
appears when the sensor needs replacement, or it can also cause the
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (in some models, the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light) to
come on. If the light remains lit, do not ignore it. There could be a
simple solution, or it could be a warning sign of a much more severe
condition. AAMCO auto repair shops can diagnose whatever the problem may
be.
