Imagine you are driving happily along and..the dreaded motor light comes on. It is never welcome but it means the computer principles in your car has detected a problem. It may be a straightforward qoute to put it right e.g. A fluid level is low, a bulb has failed or it may be more serious like the failure of a component e.g. A sensor or regulator.
The aim of this report is to give you more facts so you can decide when you need to get pro help.
Akdy Hood
For the last 10 years (and for some car makes longer) vehicles have been fitted with motor supervision control systems. The Ecu (engine control unit) controls not only the motor but also the gearbox (transmission) the brakes and the suspension. The more contemporary and higher spec. The car the more the features it will have. So there are de facto hundreds of reasons for the motor check light to come on. But don't panic the Ecu can be 'read' and a fault code should indicate what the qoute is.
What is the Check motor Light / motor supervision light?
All contemporary vehicles from around 1996 run on motor supervision systems. And the Cel (check motor light) is a warning light telling you there is a problem; something is not working properly. The malfunction could be a component, or a fluid level or a software problem
Can the car be driven? This is the first demand that comes to mind and the normal rule is: if the car seems to be running Ok you can drive it but you should get it checked as soon as possible. Try to make a decision based on the symptoms - if the car is running rough - stalling, hesitating, driving erratically or seems unsafe in any way best to get it recovered. When in doubt all the time get it towed!
The Cel went out by itself; is everything Ok now? Unfortunately the error may still be gift and recorded in the vehicle's computer system. Again it's best to get a scan done to sort the problem. To do this you will need a technician with a scanner and the software to do the analysis. A scanner will recapitulate one or more fault codes and allow the technician to reset the motor check light when the qoute has been fixed.
Is there an easy way to clear the code?
Can I disconnect the battery or pull a fuse or disconnect the Ecu? Well you know I'm going to say it's not advisable because it doesn't solve the qoute and the qoute will most likely return.
How can I reset the motor light to off?
There is a reckon your check light came on and the most likely reckon is that there is a fault somewhere in the system. If there is a fault the vehicle's computer will have stored it as a fault code which, of course, could be any one of hundreds of different codes. Fault codes are fortunately more or less the same across the whole range of different vehicles; that is to say fault code P 0100 is the same for a Jaguar as it is for a Ford as is for an Opel.
The priority is to get the basal qoute fixed. The fault code will whether indicate directly where the qoute lies, for example a faulty Mass air flow meter (component problem) or it may point to a faulty circuit and more investigation will be needed.The leading thing is to get the basal qoute fixed then reset the motor check light. Unless you have scanning tool yourself you will need the help of a technician. If the qoute is simple, an entry level scanner and software will probably solve it. More difficult problems will wish more sophisticated equipment. It's like a curative problem; do you see your doctor or go to a specialist?
We all need devotee help from time to time. My guidance when looking for devotee help is to ask around. Check out other people's experiences with a particular firm or ask your quarterly mechanic for guidance on who to contact. In expanding to all this it's all the time best to have as much knowledge yourself on how things work. No one likes a 'wise guy' but you'll be respected for being well informed. For more facts on Eobd (electronic on board diagnosis) head over to http://www.carfixer.co.uk
motor Check Light On? Don't Panic, Calm Your Nerves Here!Tags : Motorcycle Store