Check Engine Light Service 2021 Chevy Equinox
What do you do when you’re driving along in your Chevy Equinox and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Chevy 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 estimate 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 2021 Chevy Equinox checked as soon as suitable. Ignoring that warning could end up causing considerable damage to pricey engine components.
When your 2021 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 explicit, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is continually 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 determine with an electronic diagnose tool that is used by our Chevy auto repair mechanics at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. There are also a number of relatively 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 trained professional to indicate the issue and repair it.
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is mostly between $88 and $111. The great news, Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to assist indicate 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 adequate failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it great to get the productive code reading and diagnosis.
2021 Chevy Equinox Check Engine Light Flashing
Although there are countless capacity causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are countless familiar causes including something as advantageous as a loose gas cap. Other familiar reasons for a Check Engine Light are a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged oxygen sensor, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty head gasket, faulty emissions control part, or defective spark plugs to name plentiful. 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 imperative 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 2021 Chevy 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 decisive systems. The sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending data to the mechanical control company. If the mechanical control company 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 mistaken 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 professional.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your 2021 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 2021 Chevy 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 transport it in to Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.
2021 Chevy Equinox Check Engine Light
A flashing light indicates that the problem is exacting and if not taken care of urgently may result in major damage to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your 2021 Chevy Equinox starts flashing, that means that the problem needs hasty attention and your Chevy should be brought in urgently. This blinking light usually suggests a draconian engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can instantly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can genuinely be the cause. A bad, long-established or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our unit of automotive experts at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis immediately 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 remarkably expensive repair.
2021 Chevy Equinox Check Engine Light Codes
The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard quickly 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 ordinary as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Equinox. There are hundreds of chance codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling crucial diagnostics will give you agreeable 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, discernible and indisputable vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of legitimate OBD codes, there are also hundreds of legitimate reasons for the light, including:
- Ignition system faults
- Old Battery
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Computer output circuit issues
- O2 Sensor
- Emissions controls issues
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- Transmission issues
- Bad Spark Plugs
This is why it is intense for someone who does not have a few of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out expeditiously by a certified Chevy technician. If the engine light comes on due to a curious concern, you risk damaging your vehicle added by not repairing the issue right away. Call Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis at 3176435230 at this moment or schedule your check engine light service online today!
How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
It could be anything from a destructive sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. If you check engine light is twinkling, we recommend that you pull over and contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis to aid read 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 difficult to predict how various miles you can drive with the warning light on. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2021 Chevy Equinox?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as plain as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a hazardous problem that could cause hazardous damage to your engine and come with a generous repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A persistent glow often means something less hazardous but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in hazardous trouble and service is needed immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2021 Chevy Equinox, we exceedingly recommend not to commute the automobile and schedule Chevy service today. Below is a list of the most known reasons your check engine light can come on:
- 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 powerful 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 2021 Chevy Equinox's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the right assortment 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.
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2021 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 certainly require maintenance. The rate of a new one depends on the type of Chevy you drive, but check our common service coupons and specials.
- One of the most clear and frequent cause is that your 2021 Chevy Equinox gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2021 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 old 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 hastily after you put gas in your 2021 Chevy Equinox, first thing you should check is to make courageous the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
- Your 2021 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, particularly if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme bleak.
- Your catalytic converter is damaging or going damaging. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2021 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 2021 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 disparate problems from overheating.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or disparate item can wreak havoc on your 2021 Chevy Equinox if it’s not installed subsequently. These aftermarket parts and accessories can discharge the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound chummy, bring your Equinox to Chevy and have our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, particularly aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might estimate a little bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
- 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 decisive 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 actual changes, like altitude. If your Chevy 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 damaging mass airflow sensor.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are decisive for your 2021 Chevy Equinox. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel assortment 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 old, 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, considerable to more costly repairs.
Is it safe to drive your 2021 Chevy Equinox with the check engine light on?
If the check engine light is shining, this means that there is a dangerous issue and it is recommended to service your Chevy Equinox quickly. This question is not especially detectable 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 protected to drive. This is normally indicated by a consistent 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 admissible problem. Call the consultants at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis by dialing 3176435230 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your 2021 Chevy to our certified mechanics as soon as feasible.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most constantly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2021 Chevy Equinox is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few substitute 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 car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do a variety of things for your 2021 Chevy Equinox. Some of these include controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a vary of assorted things. It can be as feasible as your gas cap being loose or as draconian as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2021 Chevy Equinox, contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. Contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis today! Our Chevy service department can assist you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or analyze why your check engine light is flashing.