Buick and GMC Check Engine Lights

Owning a car in the Spring Hill area makes your commuting convenient and life easier in general. But we’ve all been there when lights come on and we’re unsure what it means. Take the Buick and GMC check engine light for example. You might freak out or get annoyed seeing that light on in your dashboard. Don’t fret! The service team at Buick GMC Brooksville can help you out as we go over some common causes and resolutions below. 

What are Common Causes for the Buick, GMC Check Engine Light? 

There are many reasons why the check engine light might be on in your Buick or GMC vehicles. Some are more serious than others, but if you’re wondering if it might be one of the common causes, take a look below: 

• Loose Gas Cap: Your gas cap is loose, broken, or simply missing. Gas cap issues can reduce fuel pressure and allow fuel vapors to escape, reducing fuel economy and increasing harmful emissions.
• Failing Catalytic Converter: Your catalytic converter can eventually clog with material, especially with higher mileage vehicles. The catalytic converter is a vital part of the emissions system, removing toxic carbon monoxide. A failing or clogged catalytic converter can severely impact fuel economy and vehicle performance.
• Fouled Spark Plugs or Spark Plug Wires: You will need new spark plugs or spark plug wires after a while. Your spark plugs create a hot spark that ignites the air-and-fuel mixture in the cylinder, allowing your engine to start and run. Faulty spark plugs or spark plug wires can cause your engine to misfire, reducing fuel economy and performance, and even preventing it from running altogether in Inverness.
• Faulty Oxygen Sensor: Due to long exposure to hot exhaust gas, your oxygen sensor might need replacing. The oxygen sensor provides vital air-fuel mixture information to the ECU. A faulty oxygen sensor can cause your vehicle’s computer to supply the engine with too much or too little fuel. An engine with too little fuel is at risk of total engine failure, and an engine with too much fuel will create excessive smoke and odor.
• Faulty Mass Air Flow Sensor: When exposed to dirty or particle-rich air, the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor could fail. Like the oxygen sensors, the MAF sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine and helps ensure the proper air-fuel mixture. A faulty MAF sensor can cause your engine to misfire, ultimately causing poor fuel economy, performance, and potentially more unnecessary damage to your engine.

What to Do If Your Buick, GMC Check Engine Light Comes On? 

Whether you are sure what the problem is or not, the best thing to do is to come by our service center in Brooksville. Our technicians can take a look and figure out what exactly is wrong. If you’re curious about what you can possibly do next, consider these scenarios if they apply to you in Hernando Beach:   

• The check engine light only comes on in certain conditions: If the check engine light is coming on intermittently, make sure to notice any changes in the performance of your vehicle when the light is on. If you do notice a difference, try driving your car as little as possible until you can bring it in for service. Most likely something is on the verge of failing and you run the risk of your vehicle not starting again if you continue to drive as normal.
• The check engine light is constantly on: Your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system has determined something is wrong and needs to be fixed. Although your car may seem to be operating fine, it’s best to bring it in for service as soon as possible to prevent additional issues.
• The check engine light is on and there is a noticeable performance issue: If you are noticing a consistent decrease in performance with the check engine light on, your vehicle may have automatically entered a “limp-mode” to prevent additional damage. You should come straight to our service center or have the vehicle towed to prevent any damage to the engine.
• The check engine light is blinking while driving: Not to be confused with the light occasionally flickering in the first situation, if your check engine light is blinking consistently that typically indicates there is a major issue with your vehicle and you should pull over when safe. If you are not close to our service center, we suggest having your vehicle towed here just to be safe.

Schedule an Appointment at Buick GMC Brooksville Today 

When you come to Buick GMC Brooksville, we can sort out the problem for you and get your car back in proper working condition. Schedule a visit today or contact us with any questions! Be sure to take a look at our service specials to save on your visit.