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Chevrolet Traverse Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your Chevrolet Traverse starts flashing, that means that the problem needs abrupt attention and your Chevrolet should be brought in immediately. A flashing light expresses that the problem is perilous and if not taken care of immediately may result in gargantuan damage to the automobile. This blinking light commonly indicates a scrupulous engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be ditched into the exhaust system. There it can instantly increase the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is correct, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can exactly be the cause. A bad, popular 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 highly expensive repair. If your check engine light is glaring, please contact our team of automotive experts at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis expeditiously by calling 3176435230.

Chevrolet Traverse 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 Traverse. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a slight patience, tackling decisive diagnostics will give you obvious 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, straightforward and conducive 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:

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

This is why it is important 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 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! If the engine light comes on due to a strict concern, you risk damaging your vehicle diverse by not repairing the issue right away. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out suddenly by a certified Chevrolet mechanic.

Chevrolet Traverse Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are copious potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are many prevailing causes including something as prevailing as a loose gas cap. Distinctive prevailing reasons for a Check Engine Light are dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty head gasket, faulty emissions control part, 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 Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as crucial 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 serviced.

Every Chevrolet Traverse was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its troublesome systems. The sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending data to the computerized control team. If the computerized control team 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 specifically is erroneous 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 Extraordinarily Qualified Service professional.

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 precarious failure like a harmful catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it satisfactory to get the correct code reading and diagnosis. The average price for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is generally between $88 and $111. The satisfactory news, Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help select the cause of your check engine light.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your Chevrolet Traverse will constantly 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 authentic, and you did a few 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 Chevrolet Traverse light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that payment 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.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most often misunderstood lights or indicators in your Chevrolet Traverse is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few discernible 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 Chevrolet Traverse. 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 represent a variety of contrasting things. It can be as authentic as your gas cap being loose or as hazardous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your Chevrolet Traverse, contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. Our Chevrolet service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing. Contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis today!

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

If the check engine light is blinking, this means that there is a unhealthy issue and it is recommended to service your Chevrolet Traverse now. This question is not immensely effortless 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 firm to drive. This is normally indicated by a functional 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 unhealthy problem. Call the veterans at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis by dialing 3176435230 so you can describe the issues. Or lower your speed and bring your Chevrolet to our certified mechanics as soon as factual.

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

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as classic 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 astonishing repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A normal glow continuously means something less hazardous but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in hazardous trouble and service is necessary immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your Chevrolet Traverse, we very recommend not to drive the automobile and schedule Chevrolet service today. Below is a list of the most ordinary reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be interchanged. The mass airflow sensor in your Chevrolet Traverse is what determines how much fuel is paramount 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 specific changes, like altitude. If your Chevrolet Traverse 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 harmful mass airflow sensor.
  • Your Chevrolet Traverse has a vacuum leak. Every Chevrolet Traverse has a vacuum system that performs a big variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps lower detrimental 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 extraordinary heat or extreme livid.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are paramount for your Chevrolet Traverse. 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 harmful or traditional, 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 wear and tear to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more expensive repairs.
  • Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak havoc on your Chevrolet Traverse if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can jettison the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound appreciative, bring your Traverse to Chevrolet and have our department 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 value a scant bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and wear and tear caused by poor installation work corrected.
  • Your catalytic converter is harmful or going harmful. The catalytic converter is a part of your Chevrolet Traverse’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 naturally 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 repaired, your Chevrolet Traverse 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 other problems from overheating.
  • Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be interchanged. The Oxygen sensor, acknowledged 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 factual 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 wear and tear to your catalytic converter and your Chevrolet Traverse's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to indicate the right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A harmful O2 sensor can also cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Chevrolet Traverse is every basic. 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 various decades ago, and they don't entirely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Chevrolet you drive, but check our extant service coupons and specials.
  • One of the most appreciative and frequent cause is that your Chevrolet Traverse gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your Chevrolet Traverse 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 harmful fuel cap? If your gas cap is traditional 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 shortly after you put gas in your Chevrolet Traverse, first 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.

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

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

Check Engine Light Service Chevrolet Traverse

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Chevrolet Traverse and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates 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 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 Chevrolet Traverse checked as soon as functional. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major damage to fancy engine components.

When your Chevrolet Traverse's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t contractual, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is typically 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 inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you mean that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced licensed to mean the issue and repair it.