How to Determine your Check Engine Light

How to Determine The Cause Of A Check Engine Light

What do you do when your "check engine" light appears on your cars' dash? Do you panic and go to the nearest repair shop? Do you ignore it and hope that it goes away on its own? Whatever you decide to do, when that engine light illuminates, there will always be the nagging question "what is wrong with my car?". The only way to determine precisely why your engine light has suddenly appeared is by scheduling a service appointment to conduct a diagnosis.

We encourage all automotive consumers in Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, and Bolton to contact us and ask to speak with our Honda Service Centre for a fast and cost-efficient solution to your check engine light dilemma. Until then, there are a few questions you can review to help determine the cause of your check engine light.

• Has your car been serviced recently? If your vehicle has been recently serviced, the technician may have caused the issue. On some older model Hondas, the oxygen sensor is directly below the filter. Removing the oil filter for an oil change may cause an oil spill onto the sensor. It is critical to have your maintenance and repair work completed by professionals at an authorized Honda dealer, such as Castle Honda.
• Have you recently filled your gas tank? If you didn't tighten the fuel cap, this could cause your engine light to appear. When replacing your cap, be sure to turn it until you hear at least three clicks.
• Were there any new electronic devices added to your vehicle, and was it installed by a factory-trained Honda technician? It may be possible that the person installing your new gadget may have blown a fuse. If so, bring your car for a check engine light diagnosis sooner rather than later.
• Are there other warning lights on your vehicle's dash? Sometimes, other engine failures may cause an engine misfire, resulting in your engine light to appear. If your car has more than one warning sign illuminating, contact us for more information.
• Were you the last one to drive the car? If not, speak to the person who last drove the car. Ask questions, and be as thorough as possible. On some Honda's, the engine control unit/powertrain control unit is below the centre of the console. If there was a soda or coffee spill, this might have caused some damage to the control unit.