Phone: 508-460-3855
Fax: 508-460-0867
Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm
Friday 7:30am-5:00pm
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New Location:
61 Lacombe Street, Unit 7
Marlboro, MA 01752
Check Engine Light
Regardless of what form your “check engine” or “service engine soon” light takes on when illuminated on your dashboard, it is seldom something to ignore. This is just not one of those times to stick your head in the sand and ignore it, in the hopes it will just go away. Unfortunately, it will most likely not go away; and has the potential to cause great damage to vehicle and wallet alike!
Also, seemingly unrelated problems with the transmission, anti-lock braking system or even a loose gas cap could activate a check engine light. Though a warning may be caused by something minor, it can also predict a potentially dangerous situation. A thorough engine analysis is the only safe and reliable way to find out for sure.
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The vehicle computer system essentially acts like a built-in emissions testing station, monitoring and adjusting dozens of components and processes. Many problems that cause the check engine light to come on are caused by the air/fuel mixture, bad spark plugs, plug wires, or a failed oxygen sensor. Anything causing poor engine performance or inefficiency can trigger the light.
For decades, cars had dashboard indicators that only monitored the basics: fuel level, oil temperature, coolant temperature and whether the generator or alternator was charging. That all changed in 1981 when federal clean air statutes required catalytic converters to be put on all domestic cars and light trucks, to help reduce the level of smog. Emission control is a process involving sophisticated sensors that compare the air contents entering and leaving the catalytic converter. Because many parts of the engine affect what comes out of the exhaust, it takes an “on board diagnostic” (OBD) system to keep everything performing properly.
