When something is wrong with one of your vehicle's drivability or electrical systems, it may not be initially obvious while driving solely by the performance of the vehicle. Luckily, our vehicles come equipped with a system that alerts us when one or more of your vehicle's systems is malfunctioning or detecting out-of-range performance. Whether you drive a domestic vehicle, asian vehicle, or something else, these dashboard lights have mostly universal appearances.
However, sometimes what this light is trying to tell us is not very obvious. One common dashboard light, the check engine light (or CEL), will illuminate when it detects a failed component or a sensor reporting an out-of-range reading. If your check engine light turns on, observing under what conditions the light turns on and if the light is flashing or steady is a good idea. Generally speaking, a steady check engine light does not mean the issue is an immediate safety issue (although you should schedule an appointment to get it diagnosed as soon as you can to prevent potential further damage), but if the light is flashing, you should pull your car over and call your local repair shop immediately. If you are in San Rafael, San Anselmo, Gallinas, Kentfield, St. Vincent, or nearby, you can come to Northgate Automotive in Marin. We can determine why your check engine light has turned on and fix the issue efficiently.
Here are some reasons your check engine light may have turned on:
Oxygen sensor failure: Your vehicle's oxygen sensor measures the amount of oxygen in a car's exhaust system. This sensor's job is to detect variation in this oxygen level. If the level is out of specification, it indicates that either there is something causing excess (or deficient) oxygen in the exhaust system, or, in some cases, the sensor itself may be failing.
Loose fuel cap: If your check engine light turns on right after you've filled up on gas, it's likely that you just have a loose fuel cap or it may have been damaged while refueling.
Catalytic converter failure: The catalytic converter turns the carbon monoxide produced during the combustion process into carbon dioxide. Maladies like excessive carbon build-up can cause premature catalytic converter failure. We at Northgate Automotive can take care of that for you along with any automotive repair.
Spark plug/ignition coil issues: An ignition coil generates electricity the spark plugs in order to ignite the air and fuel mixture in your vehicle's combustion chambers.
Mass airflow sensor failure: The mass airflow sensor monitors how much air enters the engine. If you are experiencing a rough idle or trouble starting, you can come to Northgate Automotive so we can inspect your mass airflow sensor.
Your Quality Shop for Check Engine Light Services
We at Northgate Automotive in San Rafael are experts in all things auto repair. We've been fixing cars since 1978, and our owner Breno Defaria and technicians have decades of combined experience. We can perform a multitude of services on your vehicle, including oil change.
Reasons You Should Do Business With Us:
To schedule an appointment with Northgate Automotive in San Rafael, give us a call at 415-479-7544 or schedule an appointment online. Northgate Automotive - Quality you Can Trust, at a Fair Price.