Check Engine Light

When your check engine light comes on, your Engine Control Unit, or ECU, which is the computer responsible for controlling your power train, has uncovered a problem. It could signal an issue as easy to fix as a gas cap that needs tightening. Or it could warn of a more involved problems, such as a blown head gasket. Other common situations that switch on your check engine light include a bad oxygen sensor, vacuum leaks, unclean fuel injectors, a sticky EGR valve, or a tank full of bad gasoline. In some cases, ignoring this light poses no threat to your vehicle. In others, the related mechanical defect may seriously damage your vehicle.

On-Board Diagnostics

Current check engine lights are far more sophisticated than the "idiot lights" that once glowed inside your granddad's jalopy. From 1996 onward, all vehicles sold in the USA required On-Board Diagnostics or OBD. This term represents a standardized method for ECUs to report issues.

When the check engine light turns on, the computer records a code corresponding to the problem. Check under your driver's side dashboard and you'll notice an unusual connector that looks like it would be more at home on a gaming device. This is the OBD-II port and accepts connections from diagnostic equipment that can communicate with the car computer to reveal precisely what is wrong with your car. This port is the same on every vehicle, although other automakers have put different types of proprietary diagnostic connections in their vehicles for the use of their techs.

Diagnosing A Problem

With the OBD-II, any mechanic or do-it-yourselfer can use an inexpensive scanning tool or laptop with a specialized application to connect to the vehicle. He can then download the fault code from the OBD-II to find the specifics of the problem.

You can buy into such a service, such as CarMD, so you can diagnose the issue on your vehicle. Or you can save yourself the hassle by taking Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, or RAM to our Huntington Beach Service Center.

We Serve You

If you want your Jeep, RAM, Chrysler, or Dodge to serve you for a long time, regular maintenance and dependable car repair are essential. Our Service Center features more service bays so we can get to your vehicle faster. Our technicians are professionally trained with the required skills for bringing your car, SUV, or truck to its best level. We take care of all kinds of automotive service from aligning your wheels and changing the oil to major fixes on your drive train and power plant.

Without you, we would have no business, so we haven't neglected your personal comfort. You can chill in our clean cafe or check into the Internet at our Customer Lounge. Don't worry about the kids. They'll enjoy a private TV in our Children's Room.