2014 Chevy Equinox Check Engine Light
A flashing light indicates that the problem is perilous and if not taken care of urgently may result in major damage to the car. If the check engine light in your 2014 Chevy Equinox starts flashing, that means that the problem needs hasty attention and your Chevy should be brought in urgently. This blinking light usually indicates a relentless engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be drained into the exhaust system. There it can quickly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is viable, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can altogether be the cause. A bad, classic 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 mentors at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis straightaway by calling 3176435230.
Check Engine Light Service 2014 Chevy Equinox
What do you do when you’re driving along in your Chevy Equinox and instantly, 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 2014 Chevy Equinox checked as soon as likely. Ignoring that warning could end up causing extensive damage to expensive engine components.
When your 2014 Chevy 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 suitable, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is consistently 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 observe tool that is used by our Chevy auto repair mechanics at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. There are also a number of comparatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you choose that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an professional experienced to designate the issue and repair it.
Is it safe to drive your 2014 Chevy Equinox with the check engine light on?
This question is not incredibly simple because it any depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be capable to travel to work. This is naturally 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 applicable problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a applicable issue and it is recommended to service your Chevy Equinox shortly. Call the specialists at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis by dialing 3176435230 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your 2014 Chevy to our certified mechanics as soon as consistent.
How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be changed. If you check engine light is flashing, we endorse that you pull over and contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis to help imply if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we endorse a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is exciting to predict how bountiful miles you can drive with the warning light on.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2014 Chevy 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 unhealthy problem that could cause unhealthy damage to your engine and come with a enormous repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow mostly means something less unhealthy but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in unhealthy trouble and service is decisive today. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2014 Chevy Equinox, we immensely advocate not to drive the car and schedule Chevy service today. Below is a list of the most persuasive reasons your check engine light can come on:
- Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Chevy Equinox 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 considerable changes, like altitude. If your Chevy Equinox is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a hasty change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a damaging mass airflow sensor.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2014 Chevy 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 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, principal to more expensive repairs.
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2014 Chevy Equinox is every crucial. 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 really require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Chevy you travel to work, but check our refined service coupons and specials.
- 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 active 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 2014 Chevy Equinox's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to elect for the right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A damaging O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
- Your 2014 Chevy Equinox has a vacuum leak. Every Chevy Equinox has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety 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 imposing heat or extreme cold.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or extra item can wreak havoc on your 2014 Chevy Equinox if it’s not installed appropriately. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even impede the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound enjoyable, bring your Equinox to Chevy and have our squad of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed well and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first 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.
- One of the most classic and innumerable cause is that your 2014 Chevy Equinox gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2014 Chevy 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 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 abruptly after you put gas in your 2014 Chevy Equinox, 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.
- Your catalytic converter is damaging or going damaging. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2014 Chevy 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 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 serviced, your 2014 Chevy 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 extra problems from overheating.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your 2014 Chevy Equinox will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is repaired. 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 functional, 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 2014 Chevy Equinox light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you commute 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.
2014 Chevy Equinox Check Engine Light Codes
The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that scant light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly lights up, 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 disparate codes that your check engine light can mean. While that sounds daunting, with a scant patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you advantageous knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is actually supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, conspicuous and helpful vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of viable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of viable reasons for the light, including:
- Computer output circuit issues
- Emissions controls issues
- Old Battery
- Bad Spark Plugs
- O2 Sensor
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Transmission issues
- Ignition system faults
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
This is why it is imposing for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. Call Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis at 3176435230 now or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out suddenly by a certified Chevy mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a treacherous concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue right away.
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is normally between $88 and $111. The superb news, Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to aid elect for the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not correctly tightened to a more dangerous failure like a detrimental catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it superb to get the lawful code reading and diagnosis.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most frequently misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2014 Chevy Equinox is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few divergent ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light lights up 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 2014 Chevy Equinox. Some of these include controlling engine speed, ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can determine a range of assorted things. It can be as authentic as your gas cap being loose or as strict as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2014 Chevy Equinox, contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. Contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis today! Our Chevy service department can aid you learn what code is turning your check engine light on or inspect why your check engine light is shining.
2014 Chevy Equinox Check Engine Light Flashing
Although there are copious ability causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are copious popular causes including something as straightforward as a loose gas cap. Alternative popular reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty emissions control part, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, 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 Chevy Certified Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as mandatory 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 2014 Chevy Equinox was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the automobile on its critical systems. The sensors are normally 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 lights up telling you that there is a problem. However, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what exactly 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 trained.