The good news is that in most cases, the check engine light isn’t signaling an emergency. It may be the result of a damaged sensor or even a broken gas cap. But there are times when the check engine light is alerting you to a serious situation that needs to be repaired immediately. When you need CEL diagnosis & testing near Veradale, the experts at Knudtsen Chevrolet are available to help.

If the check engine light comes on, it can be blinking or steady. If the light is blinking, there’s a serious problem that needs your immediate attention. A blinking light is usually an indication of a misfiring engine causing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. This can damage the catalytic converter, which is a costly repair. If your car’s check engine light is blinking and you’re near your home or a service station, reduce the vehicle’s power and drive it home or to the shop. Otherwise, it’s best to pull over and call for roadside assistance.

A steady check engine light is a warning of a problem that’s not urgent but needs attention. Schedule a service visit at the Knudtsen Chevrolet Service Center. Several issues can trigger a steady check engine light. These are some of the most common problems:

Your car’s catalytic converter converts harmful carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. If your vehicle’s catalytic converter needs replacement, your vehicle will likely fail an emissions test. Your car will experience a loss of performance and fuel economy.

Your vehicle’s oxygen (O2) sensor measures unburned oxygen in the exhaust system. When this part stops working, the engine will burn excessive fuel. You’ll notice a hit in fuel economy. A broken O2 sensor can damage the catalytic converter and the spark plugs.

The mass airflow sensor measures the engine’s air inflow and controls the quantity of fuel necessary to run the engine correctly. A defective mass airflow sensor can damage the catalytic converter, O2 sensor and spark plugs. Your vehicle will get reduced performance and lower fuel economy.

Faulty spark plugs and wires can damage the catalytic converter, O2 sensor and ignition coils. Your car will lose performance and fuel economy.

Your vehicle’s gas cap keeps gasoline fumes from being released into the air. A damaged or missing gas cap will cause the gasoline to evaporate, and you’ll get less fuel economy.

Don’t ignore a check engine light. Contact the Knudtsen Chevrolet Service Center. Our certified service technicians will diagnose the problem and make all necessary repairs.