2018 Dodge Journey Check Engine Light

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2018 Dodge Journey is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the important onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a wide range of different ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light illuminates in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do a wide range of things for your 2018 Dodge Journey. Some of these essential duties include controlling engine speed, ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing security control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean an assortment of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as unpredictable as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2018 Dodge Journey, contact Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. Contact Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM today! Our Dodge service department can support you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing.

How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?

The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is usually between $88 and $111. The good news, Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM offers entirely complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to assist determine the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not perfectly tightened to a more serious failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it good to get the proper code reading and diagnosis.

Check Engine Light Service 2018 Dodge Journey

What do you do when you're driving along in your Dodge Journey and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you're like most Dodge owners, your heart sinks drastically because you may have explicitly idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the cost of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep, peaceful breath and realize the light coming on doesn't mean you have to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is recommended that you get your 2018 Dodge Journey checked quickly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing significant, considerable damage to costly engine components.

When your 2018 Dodge Journey's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can't correct, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is typically labeled “check engine” or “service engine soon”, or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, or a picture of the engine with the word “check.”

When the light turns on, the ECM stores an engine code or “trouble code” in its memory that can promptly identify the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an electronic scan tool that is used by our Dodge auto repair mechanics at Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. There are again a number of essentially inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you pick that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced professional to determine the absolutely appropriate issue and repair it.

2018 Dodge Journey Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are countless potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are various common causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other usually common reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty head gasket, faulty emissions control part, or faulty spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Dodge Certified Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and entirely repair it as required to restore factory specifications. When this occurs, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Dodge issue was totally fixed.

Every 2018 Dodge Journey was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its crucial systems. The rapid sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending vital data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. Nevertheless, unfortunately that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won't tell you what definitely is wrong nor what to do about it. That's where we come in; Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Highly Certified Service professional.

2018 Dodge Journey Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, exceptionally to see that little light on your vehicle's dashboard suddenly illuminate, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear right away. If you hear the term, diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), these are just another name for check engine light codes. These are automotive computer codes stored by the ECM, also known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Journey. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can properly represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you useful knowledge about your car and will also allow that vital Check Engine Light to do what it is genuinely supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, evident and helpful car symptoms do not repeatedly accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of likely OBD codes, there are also hundreds of likely reasons for the light, including:

• Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
• Transmission issues
• Emissions controls issues
• Fuel and air metering systems problems
• Old Battery
• Ignition system faults
• O2 Sensor
• Bad Spark Plugs
• Computer output circuit issues

This is why it is vital for someone who does not have a lot of predominant automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue right away. Call Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM at 3178540239 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out rapidly by a adept certified Dodge mechanic.

How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?

If you check engine light is flashing, we endorse that you pull over and contact Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM to assist determine if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we endorse a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is generally difficult to predict how multiple miles you can be safe in driving with the warning light on.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2018 Dodge Journey?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Also, the check engine light could likewise be a warning of a meaningful problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and costly repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow typically means something less serious but a flashing check engine light signifies that your vehicle's engine is in serious trouble and helpful service is necessary immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2018 Dodge Journey, we remarkably propose not to drive the vehicle and schedule Dodge service today. Below is a list of the most typical reasons your check engine light can come on:

• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your 2018 Dodge Journey if it's not installed perfectly. These aftermarket components and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even impede the car from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Journey to Dodge and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed perfectly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, exceptionally aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM components first place might cost a little bit more but could support you save substantially from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Dodge Journey is what determines how much fuel is needed to run your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to certain changes, like altitude. If your Dodge Journey is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden fast change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a vital sign of a defective mass airflow sensor.
• Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns more quickly and your car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don't replace your O2 sensor? A defective sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause meaningful damage to your catalytic converter and your 2018 Dodge Journey's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle's onboard computer to determine the exactly appropriate mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A defective O2 sensor can again cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2018 Dodge Journey. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your car. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run smooth. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are bad or old, you will go through a conspicuous poor performance and decreased power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause blocked catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more costly repairs.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2018 Dodge Journey is every essential. Without a vehicle battery, your vehicle won't start, light up the road in front, play the radio or charge your phone. Today's vehicle batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't absolutely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Dodge you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2018 Dodge Journey's exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A damaged catalytic converter is normally caused by constantly neglected maintenance, which is why Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM offers a free multi-point inspection with every Dodge service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2018 Dodge Journey will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your vehicle may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause other perilous problems from overheating.
• Your 2018 Dodge Journey has a vacuum leak. Every Dodge Journey has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system again helps lower unhealthy emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine. If you notice that your RPM is high in idle or randomly surges, a vacuum leak could be the cause. Over time, vacuum hoses can dry out and crack, exceptionally if they're exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
• One of the most regular and frequent cause is that your 2018 Dodge Journey gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2018 Dodge Journey serves different purposes. It prevents perilous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps maintain pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you have a defective fuel cap? If your gas cap is old or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump and be more pricey. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't costly. If your check engine light turns on expeditiously after you put gas in your 2018 Dodge Journey, first thing you should check is to make sure the cap isn't loose — or that it's still on your car's roof or at the fuel pump.

Is it safe to drive your 2018 Dodge Journey with the check engine light on?

This question is not very simple because it all depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be secure to drive. This is usually indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the car, it could be an indication of a more serious problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is advised to service your Dodge Journey immediately. Call the experts at Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM by dialing 3178540239 so you can describe the issues. Or lessen your speed and bring your 2018 Dodge to our certified mechanics as soon as imaginable.

2018 Dodge Journey Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your 2018 Dodge Journey starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention quickly and your Dodge should be brought in instantly. A flashing light signifies that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of quickly may result in significant and significant damage to the vehicle. This blinking light frequently reveals a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can instantly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an pricey and huge repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can precisely be the cause. A damaged, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is regularly flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM swiftly by calling 3178540239. If the problem is totally ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a very expensive repair.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2018 Dodge Journey will ordinarily shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For instance, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will swiftly turn itself off. Likewise, if your catalytic converter is working accurately, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, that may have turned on the check engine light due to the high usage of the converter. In most cases, your 2018 Dodge Journey light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.