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Oct 15, 2008 6:35 pm US/Eastern
What To Do When Your Engine Light Comes On
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Some people ignore it while others cover it up with a piece of electrical tape.
But what does it really mean when your car's "check engine" light pops up?
Burt Young, of Pine Hollow Service, says it's one of the most common reasons people stop in.
"The computer, or the ECM, is constantly testing each circuit to see if the vehicle is operating in the correct parameter," Young said. "And if something's acting up, it tests it again, maybe a few more times, and that's when the Service Engine light comes on."
From sensor malfunctions to oil pressure, it's a problem most mechanics can solve with a diagnostic computer.
Sometimes, it can be as simple as a loose gas cap that sets the light off. It could also be a blown fuse, a stuck thermostat, a blown fuel injector or that a previous scan didn't finish properly.
Mechanics say the system is designed so that if something serious is wrong and needs immediate attention the light will flash at you.
If the light is on and you need to get your inspection, you can probably forget about getting that sticker. If the light's on during the emissions test, you're not going to pass.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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