Ethan Brooks

If your check engine light came on after getting gas, check the fuel cap first. A loose, damaged, or poorly sealed cap can trigger an EVAP system fault. Other possible causes include an EVAP leak, faulty purge valve, vent valve problem, or capless fuel-filler issue. If the light is solid and the car runs normally, … Read more

If your check engine light is flashing when accelerating, the engine is most likely misfiring badly enough for the PCM/ECM to treat it as an urgent fault. Worn spark plugs, a weak ignition coil, a fuel delivery problem, or an injector fault are common places to investigate. Ease off the accelerator and avoid hard acceleration. … Read more

Yes, you can drive with check engine light on in some situations, but only if the light is solid and the vehicle is running normally. A flashing light, severe shaking, stalling, overheating, or major power loss means you should stop driving when it is safe. A solid light can be triggered by an emissions sensor, … Read more

A check engine light after battery replacement does not always mean the new battery is bad. The warning can appear because the old battery caused low voltage, a battery terminal or ground is loose, the vehicle needs to relearn certain settings, or an unrelated engine fault is present. Start by checking that both battery terminals … Read more

An intermittent check engine light usually means your vehicle has detected a fault that is not present all the time. The problem may occur only during a cold start, acceleration, highway driving, or certain engine temperatures. When the fault is no longer detected, the light may eventually go off. Common causes include a loose gas … Read more

If your check engine light and traction control light are on at the same time, you may not have two separate problems. On many vehicles, an engine or powertrain fault can cause the ECM/PCM to disable traction or stability control because it can no longer manage engine torque reliably. Common causes include an engine misfire, … Read more

If your Check Engine Light came on after an oil change, don’t assume the oil change itself damaged your engine. In many cases, the warning is triggered by a simple service-related issue, such as a loose Oil Filler Cap, an incorrect Engine Oil level, or a sensor connector accidentally left loose during maintenance. However, because … Read more

A Check Engine Light can be frustrating, especially if your vehicle seems to be running normally. Many drivers immediately search for how to reset a check engine light, hoping to turn the warning off. However, before clearing the warning, it’s important to understand what the check engine light means, since the light is only a … Read more

A flashing check engine light is one of the most serious dashboard warnings you can experience. Unlike a solid check engine light, a flashing light usually means your engine is actively misfiring, allowing unburned fuel to enter the exhaust system.  If ignored, this can quickly overheat and damage the catalytic converter, leading to expensive repairs. … Read more