2013 Chevy Malibu Check Engine Light

2013 Chevy Malibu Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are copious capability causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are copious prevailing causes including something as distinguishable as a loose gas cap. Diverse prevailing reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty emissions control part, faulty head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, or defective spark plugs to name a few. 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 needed 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 repaired.

Every 2013 Chevy Malibu was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its fundamental 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 explicitly is awry 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 high-tech.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most normally misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2013 Chevy Malibu is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in countless other 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 assortment of things for your 2013 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 mean a mixture of big things. It can be as visible as your gas cap being loose or as artistic as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2013 Chevy Malibu, contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. Contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis today! Our Chevy service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or observe why your check engine light is flashing.

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 help suggest if your vehicle is secure to drive in or if we recommend a tow truck. Since every check engine code has its own level of severity, it is complicated to predict how bountiful miles you can drive with the warning light on. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy appropriately. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced.

2013 Chevy Malibu Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that slight light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly 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 Malibu. There are hundreds of odd codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a slight patience, tackling essential diagnostics will give you clear knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is certainly supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, compelling and clear vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of alive OBD codes, there are also hundreds of alive reasons for the light, including:

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

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

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 adequate failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it positive to get the bizarre code reading and diagnosis. The central estimate for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is consistently between $88 and $111. The positive news, Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help represent the cause of your check engine light.

Is it safe to drive your 2013 Chevy Malibu with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a draconian issue and it is recommended to service your Chevy Malibu immediately. This question is not very cooperative 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 commonly indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the automobile, it could be an indication of a more strict problem. Call the experts at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis by dialing 3176435230 so you can describe the issues. Or lower down your speed and bring your 2013 Chevy to our certified mechanics as soon as accurate.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2013 Chevy Malibu will usually 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 accessible, 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 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.

2013 Chevy Malibu Check Engine Light

A flashing light hints that the problem is perilous and if not taken care of instantly may result in enormous damage to the car. If the check engine light in your 2013 Chevy Malibu starts flashing, that means that the problem needs immediate attention and your Chevy should be brought in instantly. This blinking light generally indicates a scrupulous engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be drained into the exhaust system. There it can suddenly enhance the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where break is achievable, requiring an costly repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can explicitly be the cause. A harmful, long-established 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 expensive repair. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis shortly by calling 3176435230.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2013 Chevy Malibu?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as easy 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 big repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow frequently means something less strict but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in strict trouble and service is needed quickly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2013 Chevy Malibu, we exceedingly advise not to travel to work the vehicle and schedule Chevy service now. Below is a list of the most current reasons your check engine light can come on:

• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2013 Chevy Malibu 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 certainly require maintenance. The value of a new one depends on the type of Chevy you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• One of the most prevailing and several cause is that your 2013 Chevy Malibu gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2013 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 bad fuel cap? If your gas cap is common 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 promptly after you put gas in your 2013 Chevy Malibu, authentic thing you should check is to make bold the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be changed. The mass airflow sensor in your Chevy Malibu is what determines how much fuel is crucial 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 careful changes, like altitude. If your Chevy Malibu is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
• Issues with each aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or back-up item can wreak havoc on your 2013 Chevy Malibu if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can deposit the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound prevailing, bring your Malibu to Chevy and have our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed perfectly and aren't causing each issue. Getting accessories, chiefly aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts authentic place might value a little 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 bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2013 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 2013 Chevy Malibu 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 back-up problems from overheating.
• Your 2013 Chevy Malibu has a vacuum leak. Every Chevy Malibu has a vacuum system that performs a wide mixture of functions. The vacuum system also helps cut 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, chiefly if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme brisk.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are crucial for your 2013 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 bad or common, 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, best to more expensive repairs.
• Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be changed. 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 persuasive 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 Chevy Malibu's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to mean the right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A bad O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.

Check Engine Light Service 2013 Chevy Malibu

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Chevy Malibu and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Chevy owners, your heart sinks a tiny because you have tiny 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 2013 Chevy Malibu checked as soon as feasible. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major break to fancy engine factors.

When your 2013 Chevy Malibu's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t authentic, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is usually 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 Chevy auto repair mechanics at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. There are also a number of relatively noble code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you opt for that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced expert to designate the issue and repair it.