2013 Chevrolet Equinox Check Engine Light

Check Engine Light Service 2013 Chevrolet Equinox

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Chevrolet Equinox and suddenly, a yellow light flashes on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Chevrolet owners, your heart sinks a little because you have little 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 illustrate 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 2013 Chevrolet Equinox checked as soon as authentic. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major damage to expensive engine factors.

When your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t realistic, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is mostly 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 electronic scan tool that is used by our Chevrolet auto repair mechanics at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. There are also a number of comparatively cheap code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you determine that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced licensed to determine the issue and repair it.

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

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

Is it safe to drive your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a exceptional issue and it is recommended to service your Chevrolet Equinox shortly. This question is not very pure 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 safe to drive. This is typically indicated by a feasible glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the car, it could be an indication of a more imposing problem. Call the specialists at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis by dialing 3176435230 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your 2013 Chevrolet to our certified mechanics as soon as possible.

2013 Chevrolet Equinox Check Engine Light Flashing

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

Every 2013 Chevrolet Equinox was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its difficult systems. The sensors are continually 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 precisely is wrong 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 Greatly Qualified Service high-tech.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few back-up 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 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. Some of these include ignition timing, controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a range of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as hazardous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. Our Chevrolet service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or audit why your check engine light is flashing. Contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis today!

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox will commonly shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. 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 2013 Chevrolet Equinox 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.

2013 Chevrolet Equinox Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox starts flashing, that means that the problem needs urgent attention and your Chevrolet should be brought in urgently. A flashing light indicates that the problem is strict and if not taken care of urgently may result in major wear and tear to the vehicle. This blinking light frequently indicates a rigorous engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can swiftly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is achievable, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can specifically be the cause. A harmful, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. 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 costly repair. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our squad of automotive specialists at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis abruptly by calling 3176435230.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as clear as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a dangerous problem that could cause dangerous damage to your engine and come with a gigantic repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A dependable glow ordinarily means something less dangerous but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in dangerous trouble and service is essential immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, we greatly advocate not to travel to work the vehicle and schedule Chevrolet service today. Below is a list of the most traditional reasons your check engine light can come on:

• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is every vital. Without a car battery, your car won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s car batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't absolutely require maintenance. The estimate of a new one depends on the type of Chevrolet you travel to work, but check our common service coupons and specials.
• One of the most contemporary and frequent cause is that your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox 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 destructive fuel cap? If your gas cap is historic 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 costly. If your check engine light turns on urgently after you put gas in your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, authentic thing you should check is to make hopeful 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 necessary for your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. 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 destructive or historic, 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, dominant to more costly repairs.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Chevrolet Equinox is what determines how much fuel is necessary 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 peculiar changes, like altitude. If your Chevrolet Equinox is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a abrupt change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a destructive mass airflow sensor.
• Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known 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 helpful 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 2013 Chevrolet Equinox's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A destructive O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
• Your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox has a vacuum leak. Every Chevrolet Equinox has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps reduce 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 parched out and crack, especially if they’re exposed to astonishing heat or extreme pleasant.
• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or added item can wreak havoc on your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can discharge the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prohibit the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound accepted, bring your Equinox to Chevrolet and have our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed perfectly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts authentic place might cost a tiny bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• Your catalytic converter is destructive or going destructive. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox’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 frequently caused by neglected maintenance, which is why Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Chevrolet service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it revamped, your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your car may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause added problems from overheating.

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

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

2013 Chevrolet Equinox Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that small light on your vehicle’s dashboard abruptly 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 known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Equinox. There are hundreds of explicit codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a small patience, tackling important 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, indisputable and helpful automobile symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of conceivable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of conceivable reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is important 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 swiftly by a certified Chevrolet mechanic. Call Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis at 3176435230 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! If the engine light comes on due to a exacting concern, you risk harmful your car further by not repairing the issue right away.