Get FREE O’Reilly VeriScan Check Engine Light Testing in Fargo, ND, at O’Reilly Auto Parts store #6849

The Check Engine light on your vehicle can tell you a lot about the health of your engine and alert you to problems that may arise from failing sensors, ignition components, leaks, and more. Though your Check Engine light may not tell you exactly what the solution to your problem is every time, having your Check Engine light trouble code scanned at O’Reilly Auto Parts at 2820 Broadway N, Fargo, ND, can help point you in the right direction to begin your repairs and continue your diagnosis.

Your Check Engine light isn’t the only light on your dash that may require immediate attention. Your oil pressure, temperature, and brake warning lights may also be indicators that your car is not safe to drive. If you are unsure of what one of the warning lights on your dashboard is telling you, we are happy to help. Check out our Dashboard Warning Lights page to learn more about what each of these warning lights could mean so you can address the problem before it causes engine damage or an accident

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What Is A Check Engine Light?

A Check Engine light is a warning light located on your dash or instrument cluster and usually features an illuminated symbol that looks like an engine, or it may simply say ‘Check Engine’ or ‘Service Engine Soon’ depending on the vehicle. This light turns on when the engine computer detects a problem with a sensor or electrical component that is designed to monitor the performance of the engine, transmission, or emissions system. Check Engine lights usually flash to indicate high-priority issues in your vehicle, and will remain lit until the code is cleared or the issue is resolved.

What Causes a Check Engine Light?

A Check Engine light comes on when your engine computer receives a signal that there is an issue in your vehicle from a sensor or malfunctioning component in the electrical system. A Check Engine light is a general warning that you need to inspect your car’s engine and internal systems and helps you determine if you should continue to operate your vehicle to prevent more costly damage. Check Engine lights can be activated by something as simple as a loose gas cap that causes evaporative emissions system leaks, a failing oxygen sensor or ignition coil, or may be serious enough to indicate issues that could cause catastrophic engine failure. If your Check Engine light is on and you don’t know where to begin, stop by your Fargo, ND, O’Reilly Auto Parts, where our parts professionals can perform our free O’Reilly VeriScan Check Engine light testing service. You can also learn more about what causes a Check Engine light to illuminate on vehicles.

Check Engine Lights Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Safe to Drive with My Check Engine Light On?

In some cases, a Check Engine light could represent something as simple as a loose gas cap or other problems that don't affect the performance or efficiency of the vehicle, but it's impossible to be certain of the cause without having it diagnosed. For that reason, it is recommended that you limit driving the vehicle regularly until the cause of the Check Engine light has been determined. If your Check Engine light comes on, it should be addressed as soon as possible to ensure that your vehicle continues to drive at its best, and visiting the O’Reilly Auto Parts at 2820 Broadway N to have the codes read should be a priority before you continue driving your vehicle normally.

Why is My Check Engine Light Flashing?

A flashing Check Engine light may indicate engine problems that are potentially more serious and could cause severe engine damage if the engine continues to run. This could include misfires, knocking, or severely rich or lean idle conditions. In most cases, it is advisable to refrain from driving the vehicle if the Check Engine light is flashing until you know the severity of the damage that is causing the code. Failure to do so may cause the engine to suffer damage or complete failure.

How Do I Turn off My Check Engine Light?

A Check Engine light that is still referencing an active problem, such as a failing sensor, a misfire, or other problems affecting the engine may not be able to be turned off by simply erasing the code. Even erasing stored codes may only turn off the Check Engine light until the next time your engine’s computer detects the problem, at which time it will come back on. If the Check Engine light is on, the best way to turn it off is to repair the problem, and after several key cycles, the engine will often turn it off automatically. This indicates the problem has been resolved and is no longer a concern. Erasing Check Engine codes can help you determine if the problem has been solved, but is in no way a solution to the problem itself.

Additional Resources about Check Engine Light Testing

O’Reilly: Our Stores, Your Stories

If your Check Engine light is on, don’t take a chance on getting stranded, or worse yet, risk damage to your engine. Stop by O’Reilly Auto Parts and we’ll test your Check Engine light codes for free. We can even print out a list of common fixes for the codes, and help you find a repair shop if needed. Sarah’s story is just one of hundreds of instances at O’Reilly Auto Parts, and we take pride in keeping our customers safe and on the road.

How Does it Work?

Our Professional Parts People scan your vehicle information, trouble code(s), and mileage
We run your trouble code(s) through a comprehensive database of over 26 million verified fixes
We can provide you with a FREE printout of verified fixes from a team of ASE Certified technicians