Expensive Car Repair Mistake #2 - Ignoring a Check Engine Light

Ignoring your check engine light or service engine soon light can mean major repairs for your vehicle, possibly even an engine replacement. 

One of the most critical warnings that your vehicle can give you when it is not functioning properly is to illuminate your check engine light or service engine soon light. The main function of a check engine light is to alert the driver to a variety of existing potential problems, even if the vehicle appears to be running normally. At Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver, we offer you a FREE computer scan and diagnosis* in our shop.

Don't Just Turn Off Your Check Engine Light - 

Fix the Problem!

The check engine light means that you need to get your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. You don't necessarily have to pull over to the side of the road immediately and call a tow truck. There could be a problem from something as simple as a loose gas cap to a seriously misfiring engine to a faulty catalytic converter.

WARNING!!

Your Check Engine Light May Signal a SERIOUS PROBLEM!

• Failures that can leave you stranded
• System malfunction(s) that can damage other systems
• Up to 40% decrease in gas mileage
• Catastrophic damage that can cost you more later
• Emissions test failure

There are numerous systems that turn on the check engine light including the ignition system, fuel injection system or the emission control system. The light will also let you know if there is a simple problem with your engine that is affecting your gas mileage.

Let Mastermind Enterprises diagnose your Check Engine Light!

Call us today at 303-297-2886 or send us an email. 

Check Engine Lights come in different colors including orange, yellow or amber (depending on the vehicle manufacturer). If your check engine light or service engine soon light is flashing, it is telling you there is a more serious problem like a misfire. A misfire can overheat the catalytic converter that could create a fire hazard if it is malfunctioning.

Common malfunctions that illuminate the Check Engine Light are:

• a loose gas cap
• faulty oxygen sensors
• faulty mass air sensor
• faulty spark plugs or wires
• faulty catalytic converter(s)
• poor gas mileage

When you take your vehicle to a shop for a check engine light diagnosis, make sure they have professional ASE Certified technicians who are trained in OBDII diagnosis and repair. The technician needs to understand and examine the data streams including the idle speed, throttle response, engine temperature, fuel system pressure, manifold vacuum, exhaust emission levels and many other symptoms that point to what is causing the problem when plugging in a diagnostic tool to your vehicle's computer.

Your vehicle's computer can also be scanned by an inexpensive code reader or at a local auto parts store for free, but this will not necessarily tell you the problem your vehicle is having. It is a common misconception that the code given by the vehicle's computer instantly "diagnoses" the vehicle. The code simply gives the technician looking at your vehicle a starting point of where to start looking for problems. If you know the codes your vehicle's computer is producing, it is always helpful to the technician servicing your vehicle.

Turning off your Check Engine Light does not repair the underlying problem and the light will come back on later, possibly leading to larger, more costly repairs later. 

If your "Service Required" light comes on, this is different then the Check Engine Light or Service Engine Soon Light. This simply means your vehicle is due for an oil change or other scheduled maintenance. This light is a friendly reminder that it is time bring your vehicle in before you have bigger problems to worry about. It does not tell you that there is a problem with your vehicle.

For any questions you have regarding your vehicle's Check Engine Light or Service Engine Soon Light, call Mastermind Enterprises today at 303-297-2886. We are happy to help you with your vehicle's needs every mile of the way!

FREE Check Engine Light Diagnosis* at 

Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver

* Diagnosis up to 1 hour. Excludes Electrical Diagnosis. With approved repairs in our shop.