2021 Dodge Durango Check Engine Light

Check Engine Light Service 2021 Dodge Durango

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Dodge Durango and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Dodge owners, your heart sinks exceptionally because you may have specifically 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, serene breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is suggested that you get your 2021 Dodge Durango checked quickly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing considerable, huge damage to costly engine parts.

When your 2021 Dodge Durango's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t appropriate, 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 swiftly 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 likewise 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 exactly right issue and repair it.

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

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

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most frequently misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2021 Dodge Durango is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the important onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a variety 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 variety of things for your 2021 Dodge Durango. Some of these essential duties include controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a wide range of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as dangerous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2021 Dodge Durango, contact Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. Contact Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM today! Our Dodge service department can assist you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2021 Dodge Durango?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of an essential problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and pricey repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow generally means something less serious but a flashing check engine light reveals that your vehicle’s engine is in significant trouble and helpful service is required swiftly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2021 Dodge Durango, we remarkably recommend not to drive the vehicle and schedule Dodge service today. Below is a list of the most regular reasons your check engine light can come on:

• 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 swiftly and your vehicle will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what hits if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A faulty sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause significant damage to your catalytic converter and your 2021 Dodge Durango's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the absolutely right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A faulty O2 sensor can likewise cause a car to fail an emissions test.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2021 Dodge Durango’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A broken catalytic converter is frequently caused by regularly neglected maintenance, which is why Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM offers a free multi-point examination with every Dodge service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2021 Dodge Durango will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your car may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause other delicate problems from overheating.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Dodge Durango 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 Durango is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden speedy change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a vital sign of a faulty mass airflow sensor.
• Your 2021 Dodge Durango has a vacuum leak. Every Dodge Durango has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system likewise helps lower harmful 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, particularly if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your 2021 Dodge Durango if it’s not installed correctly. These aftermarket components and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even limit the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Durango to Dodge and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed accurately and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, particularly aftermarket parts and accessories, or utilizing OEM components first place might cost a little bit more but could support you save considerably from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2021 Dodge Durango is every essential. Without a car battery, your car won’t start, light up the road in front, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s car batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't genuinely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Dodge you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• One of the most typical and frequent cause is that your 2021 Dodge Durango gas cap is loose, broken or missing. The gas cap for your 2021 Dodge Durango serves different purposes. It prevents hazardous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps maintain pressure within the fuel tank. What hits if you have a faulty 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 expensive. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on quickly after you put gas in your 2021 Dodge Durango, 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.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2021 Dodge Durango. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. 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 endure a noticeable poor performance and reduced 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 expensive repairs.

2021 Dodge Durango Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your 2021 Dodge Durango starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention expeditiously and your Dodge should be brought in promptly. A flashing light reveals that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of expeditiously may result in considerable and meaningful damage to the vehicle. This blinking light normally signifies a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can promptly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an pricey and extensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can precisely be the cause. A faulty, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is invariably flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM instantly by calling 3178540239. If the problem is entirely 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 costly repair.

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

The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not correctly 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 correct code reading and diagnosis. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is generally between $88 and $111. The good news, Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM offers totally complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to support determine the cause of your check engine light.

Is it safe to drive your 2021 Dodge Durango 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 safe 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 Durango swiftly. 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 2021 Dodge to our certified mechanics as soon as conceivable.

2021 Dodge Durango 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 several regular causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other often regular reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, defective head gasket, defective emissions control part, dirty mass airflow sensor, or defective spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Dodge Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and entirely repair it as required to restore factory specifications. When this results, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Dodge issue was totally fixed.

Every 2021 Dodge Durango was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its crucial systems. The speedy sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending essential 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. Yet, sadly that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what absolutely 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 Extremely Qualified Service professional.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2021 Dodge Durango will frequently shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will quickly 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 2021 Dodge Durango 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.

2021 Dodge Durango Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, especially 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, still known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Durango. 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 advantageous knowledge about your car and will still allow that important Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, evident and useful car symptoms do not constantly accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of conceivable OBD codes, there are still hundreds of conceivable reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is important for someone who does not have a lot of prevalent automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. 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 swiftly by a proficient certified Dodge mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your vehicle further by not repairing the issue right away.