Every car owner knows that regular car maintenance is extremely important. You do your best to get regular oil changes and have your tires checked on a regular basis, but sometimes that dreaded check engine light comes on, and you start to panic.
Your check engine light can go on for a variety of different reasons. Sometimes, it may go off to signal a small engine problem that is a quick fix. Other times, your check engine light may mean something more serious that could need time and money to fix.
In order to assess the situation, it’s important to bring your car into the mechanic right away. Mechanics have tools that can read special codes that appear as the result of your check engine light. This will tell them what is wrong. When choosing a mechanic, choosing one that is ASE certified is important.
According to SDAutoMechanic.com, "ASE Certified Master Automotive Technicians specializes in engine repairs and performance, automotive transmission/trans-axle, manual drive train and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical/electronic systems, heating and air conditioning and electronic climate control systems." This means they’ll be able to handle your check engine light needs.
You can also get a better understanding of the codes so that you can be prepared for what to expect. The following are a few of the various different trouble codes and what they can mean for your car.
P Codes
If the code starts with a P, it is a powertrain trouble code. There are a variety of different codes and different powertrain issues that this could signify, and the following is a small breakdown. Codes that are numbered P0001-P0099 are codes for fuel and air metering as well as auxiliary emission controls. This can be anything from a problem with your heat control circuit to a fuel pressure regulator issue. Codes P0100-P0199 are fuel and air metering codes. These can be anything from engine coolant temperature circuit malfunction to sensor circuit high voltage. Codes P0300-P0399 are ignition system or misfire codes; P0400-P0499 are auxiliary emissions controls codes; P0600-P0699 are computer output circuit codes; and the list goes on to include all possible powertrain issues.
B Codes
The B codes may not make your check engine light appear, but they still are a cause for concern. If the code that appears begins with a B, they are considered body codes. Body codes can appear due to issues with side airbag deployment control, passenger seat occupant classification sensor, frontal stage 1 deployment control, driver seat recline position restraints sensor, seatbelt pretensioner deployment control, side restraints sensor, and seatbelt load limiter deployment control.
C Codes
C Codes are called chassis codes. Most of the C codes will appear if there is an issue with the vehicle’s tires, brakes, traction, exhaust, or speed controls.
U Codes
U codes are associated with network connections. These codes will appear if the vehicle loses connection with any part of the car, whether battery, fuel injector, drive motor, fuel pump, AWD, ABS system, or a variety of others parts of the car.
