2012 Chevy Malibu Check Engine Light

How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?

The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not properly tightened to a more alarming failure like a aggressive catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it good to get the agreeable code reading and diagnosis. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is generally between $88 and $111. The good news, Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help hint the cause of your check engine light.

Check Engine Light Service 2012 Chevy Malibu

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Chevy Malibu and abruptly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Chevy owners, your heart sinks a scant because you have scant idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the cost of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is recommended that you get your 2012 Chevy Malibu checked as soon as persuasive. Ignoring that warning could end up causing prime damage to expensive engine components.

When your 2012 Chevy Malibu's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the mechanical control system that it can’t tolerable, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is generally labeled “check engine” or “service engine soon”, or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, or a picture of the engine with the word “check.”

When the light turns on, the ECM stores an engine code or “trouble code” in its memory that identifies as the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an electrical investigate tool that is used by our Chevy auto repair mechanics at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. There are also a number of relatively economical code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you indicate that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced skilled to indicate the issue and repair it.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2012 Chevy Malibu will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is revamped. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will turn itself off. Likewise, if your catalytic converter is going feasible, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, that may have turned on the check engine light due to the high usage of the converter. In most cases, your 2012 Chevy Malibu light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

2012 Chevy Malibu Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that meager light on your vehicle’s dashboard promptly illuminates, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear right away. If you hear the term, diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), these are just another name for check engine light codes. These are automotive computer codes stored by the ECM, also established as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Malibu. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a meager patience, tackling main diagnostics will give you useful knowledge about your automobile and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, conspicuous and helpful automobile symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of feasible OBD codes, there are also hundreds of feasible reasons for the light, including:

• Fuel and air metering systems problems
• Old Battery
• Ignition system faults
• Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
• O2 Sensor
• Computer output circuit issues
• Emissions controls issues
• Transmission issues
• Bad Spark Plugs

This is why it is memorable for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out quickly by a certified Chevy mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a relentless concern, you risk harmful your car distinct by not repairing the issue right away. Call Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis at 3176435230 today or schedule your check engine light service online today!

Is it safe to drive your 2012 Chevy Malibu with the check engine light on?

This question is not very authentic because it all depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be dependable to drive. This is usually indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the vehicle, it could be an indication of a more exciting problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a exciting issue and it is recommended to service your Chevy Malibu shortly. Call the advisors at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis by dialing 3176435230 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your 2012 Chevy to our certified mechanics as soon as accessible.

How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?

If you check engine light is flashing, we suggest that you pull over and contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis to help indicate if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we suggest a tow truck. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is troublesome to predict how many miles you can drive with the warning light on. It could be anything from a damaging sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.

2012 Chevy Malibu Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are countless attainable causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are several commonplace causes comprising something as simple as a loose gas cap. Alternative commonplace reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, faulty head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty emissions control part, or defective spark plugs to name many. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Chevy Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as fundamental to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Chevy issue was fixed.

Every 2012 Chevy Malibu was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its necessary systems. The sensors are continuously detecting conditions while sending data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. However, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what absolutely is inaccurate nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Highly Qualified Service licensed.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most frequently misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2012 Chevy Malibu is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in various diversified ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light illuminates in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your vehicle. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance since the 80s and do a variety of things for your 2012 Chevy Malibu. Some of these include shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can indicate a mixture of other things. It can be as plain as your gas cap being loose or as perilous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2012 Chevy Malibu, contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. Our Chevy service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or audit why your check engine light is blinking. Contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis today!

2012 Chevy Malibu Check Engine Light

A flashing light indicates that the problem is unhealthy and if not taken care of immediately may result in extraordinary damage to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your 2012 Chevy Malibu starts flashing, that means that the problem needs urgent attention and your Chevy should be brought in immediately. This flashing light usually indicates a draconian engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be ejected into the exhaust system. There it can quickly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where wear and tear is achievable, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can totally be the cause. A aggressive, former or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is blinking, please contact our team of automotive experts at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis today by calling 3176435230. If the problem is ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a very expensive repair.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2012 Chevy Malibu?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as effortless as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a strict problem that could cause strict damage to your engine and come with a exceptional repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A persistent glow typically means something less strict but a flashing check engine light implies that your vehicle’s engine is in strict trouble and service is essential urgently. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2012 Chevy Malibu, we highly advocate not to travel to work the vehicle and schedule Chevy service at this moment. Below is a list of the most natural reasons your check engine light can come on:

• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or further item can wreak havoc on your 2012 Chevy Malibu if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound commonplace, bring your Malibu to Chevy and have our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed accurately and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might price a little bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• One of the most classic and copious cause is that your 2012 Chevy Malibu gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2012 Chevy Malibu serves multiple purposes. It prevents gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps maintain pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you have a damaging fuel cap? If your gas cap is erstwhile or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on immediately after you put gas in your 2012 Chevy Malibu, first thing you should check is to make sure the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2012 Chevy Malibu. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are damaging or erstwhile, you will experience poor performance and reduced power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause clogged catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, major to more expensive repairs.
• The battery is meager or dead. The battery in your 2012 Chevy Malibu is every notable. Without a vehicle battery, your vehicle won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s vehicle batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't really require maintenance. The rate of a new one depends on the type of Chevy you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• Your 2012 Chevy Malibu has a vacuum leak. Every Chevy Malibu has a vacuum system that performs a wide assortment of functions. The vacuum system also helps lower harmful emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine. If you notice that your RPM is high in idle or randomly surges, a vacuum leak could be the cause. Over time, vacuum hoses can dry out and crack, especially if they’re exposed to dynamic heat or extreme mad.
• Your catalytic converter is damaging or going damaging. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2012 Chevy Malibu’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A damaged catalytic converter is usually caused by neglected maintenance, which is why Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Chevy service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2012 Chevy Malibu will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your vehicle may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause further problems from overheating.
• Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, accepted as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be less functional when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A faulty sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause damage to your catalytic converter and your 2012 Chevy Malibu's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to select the right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A damaging O2 sensor can also cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Chevy Malibu is what determines how much fuel is needed to run your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to decisive changes, like altitude. If your Chevy Malibu is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a quick change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a damaging mass airflow sensor.