The check engine light doesn’t usually signify an emergency, so there’s no need to panic. On the other hand, there are some instances where the check engine light is alerting you to a serious problem that must be taken care of immediately. If your vehicle’s check engine light comes on, bring it to Jim Cook Chevrolet for CEL testing & diagnosis near Morganton.

If your car’s check engine light comes on and it’s flashing, it’s a warning of a serious problem that must be taken care of immediately. A flashing check engine light usually means your vehicle’s ignition system is misfiring. Unburned fuel is being dumped into the exhaust system. If not taken care of, this will damage your Chevy’s catalytic converter. If you notice a flashing check engine light, pull your car off the road, turn it off, and call for roadside assistance.

A steady check engine light indicates a problem that needs your attention, but a steady light isn’t an emergency. If you notice a steady check engine light, contact the Jim Cook Chevrolet Service Center and make an appointment to have your car checked. A steady check engine light can be alerting you to one of several problems, from a bad catalytic converter and a faulty oxygen sensor to a broken mass airflow sensor and worn spark plugs.

These are some of the problems that will cause a steady check engine light to come on:

The catalytic converter converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. A defective catalytic converter will cause a decline in performance and lower fuel economy. Your Chevrolet may fail an emissions test.

Your Chevrolet has an oxygen (O2) sensor that continually monitors the level of unburned oxygen in the exhaust system. If the sensor becomes damaged, the engine will burn more fuel, and your car will experience a drop in fuel economy. If you don’t replace a faulty O2 sensor, it will eventually damage the catalytic converter and the spark plugs.

The mass airflow sensor measures the engine’s air inflow. It controls the quantity of fuel necessary to run the engine properly. A bad airflow sensor can damage the O2 sensor, the spark plugs and the catalytic converter. Fuel economy will also suffer.

Worn spark plugs can cause damage to several other parts, including the ignition coils, catalytic converter and O2 sensor. You’ll notice a drop in performance and fuel efficiency.

Your vehicle’s gas cap keeps gasoline fumes from escaping. If your check engine light comes on, examine the gas cap. If the gas cap is loose, tighten it. If it’s missing or damaged, it’s easy to replace. A missing, damaged or loose gas cap will cause a drop in fuel economy due to evaporation.