Oh No, Not the Check Engine Light!

You see it and you immediately get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The light could be a minor issue. Maybe it is just a faulty gas cap, or it could mean something more serious, even an engine that is misfiring. It should be checked ASAP by the expert mechanics at Topeka’s own A.J.’s Import Garage located at 501 S.W. Harrison.

If you have never seen it on your vehicle you should know that check engine lights come in different hues depending on the manufacturer. If the light begins flashing, it indicates a more serious problem, such as a misfire that can quickly overheat the catalytic converter. These emissions can quickly pose a fire hazard!

A.J.’s Import Garage knows how to diagnose a check engine light. They will shoot you straight and have you back on the road as soon as possible. For more information about the many mechanical services provided by A.J.’s Import Garage just google ajsimportgarage.com. Your appointment is just a phone call away at (785) 233-1000.

The Light that No One Wants to See.

We are referring to that dreaded Check Engine Light.  It is part of your car’s so-called onboard diagnostics system.  Over time, computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance, regulating such variables as engine speed, fuel mixture, and ignition timing.  These days a computer also tells the automatic transmission when to shift.

If you haven’t experienced it yet, when it finds a problem in the electronic-control system that it can’t correct, a computer turns on a yellow warning indicator labeled “check engine,” or “service engine soon”.  The light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, perhaps with the word “check”.  Consider yourself lucky if you have never seen it in your vehicle!

A.J.’s Auto Import Garage knows all about the check engine light and what to look for when it goes off on the dashboard of your domestic or foreign car.  You see, A.J’s Import Garage may have import cars in their name, but they service all makes and models.  Make an appointment at their location 501 S.W. Harrison by calling (784) 233-1000.

Check Engine Light 101.

The dreaded CEL is on and you can’t escape seeing it on your dashboard.  It has become a necessary evil in today’s vehicles.  For many of us this light is a mystery and hints at some unseen danger in the guts of your car. Others ignore it until it goes away, or just let it stay on.  I doubt that anyone would recommend the latter!

The check engine light (or malfunction indicator light as it is sometimes known) is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma to paraphrase Winston Churchill.  One misconception is that a code reader will reveal the exact problem.  It is only one piece of information, a single symptom of a possibly larger problem.

One thing is certain, unless you have the equipment and expertise to troubleshoot a check engine light then you need a trained mechanic to do so.  We here at A.J.’s Import Garage have seen thousands of them and may be able to help you stay on the road in safety when yours shines bright.  Come into our shop at 501 S.W. Harrison in Topeka or call us at (785) 233-1000.