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

The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is ordinarily between $88 and $111. The good news, Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM offers entirely free 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 accurately 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 appropriate code reading and diagnosis.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2022 RAM 3500 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 vehicle. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance since the 80s and do a variety of things for your 2022 RAM 3500. Some of these essential duties include controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, and implementing cohesion 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 hazardous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2022 RAM 3500, contact Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. Our RAM 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. Contact Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM today!

Check Engine Light Service 2022 RAM 3500

What do you do when you’re driving along in your RAM 3500 and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most RAM owners, your heart sinks extremely 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, peaceful 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 2022 RAM 3500 checked expeditiously. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major, extensive damage to pricey engine parts.

When your 2022 RAM 3500'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 ordinarily 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 expeditiously 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 RAM auto repair mechanics at Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. There are likewise a number of comparatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you select 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 explicitly right issue and repair it.

2022 RAM 3500 Check Engine Light

A flashing light reveals that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of immediately may result in extensive and significant damage to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your 2022 RAM 3500 starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention immediately and your RAM should be brought in quickly. This blinking light normally signifies a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can immediately raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an costly and considerable repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can precisely be the cause. A broken, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. 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 pricey repair. If your check engine light is always flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM swiftly by calling 3178540239.

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

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 safe to drive in or if we advise a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is typically difficult to predict how multiple miles you can be safe in driving with the warning light on. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2022 RAM 3500 will normally 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 promptly turn itself off. Again, if your catalytic converter is working correctly, 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 2022 RAM 3500 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.

2022 RAM 3500 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, again known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your 3500. 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 again allow that important Check Engine Light to do what it is absolutely supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, clear and helpful car symptoms do not repeatedly accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are again hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is essential 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! If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your vehicle further by not repairing the issue right away. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out expeditiously by a talented certified RAM mechanic.

2022 RAM 3500 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 different common causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other generally common reasons for a Check Engine Light are a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged emissions control part, dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged head gasket, broken oxygen sensor, or defective spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the RAM Certified Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and utterly 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 RAM issue was completely fixed.

Every 2022 RAM 3500 was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its critical systems. The quick 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. 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.

Is it safe to drive your 2022 RAM 3500 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 suggested to service your RAM 3500 rapidly. 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 2022 RAM to our certified mechanics as soon as possible.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2022 RAM 3500?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Again, the check engine light could also be a warning of a serious 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 ordinarily means something less serious but a flashing check engine light reveals that your vehicle’s engine is in meaningful trouble and useful service is necessary swiftly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2022 RAM 3500, we remarkably propose not to drive the vehicle and schedule RAM 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 2022 RAM 3500 if it’s not installed properly. 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 3500 to RAM and have our team of accomplished certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed accurately and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, particularly 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 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 rapidly and your car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what results 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 2022 RAM 3500's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the explicitly correct mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A defective O2 sensor can likewise cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
  • Your 2022 RAM 3500 has a vacuum leak. Every RAM 3500 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.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2022 RAM 3500. 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 undergo 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.
  • Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2022 RAM 3500’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 frequently caused by invariably neglected maintenance, which is why Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM offers a complimentary multi-point examination with every RAM service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2022 RAM 3500 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 delicate problems from overheating.
  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2022 RAM 3500 is every vital. Without a vehicle battery, your vehicle won’t start, light up the road ahead, 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 really require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of RAM you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
  • One of the most regular and frequent cause is that your 2022 RAM 3500 gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2022 RAM 3500 serves numerous purposes. It prevents perilous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps cultivate pressure within the fuel tank. What results 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 swiftly after you put gas in your 2022 RAM 3500, 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.
  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your RAM 3500 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 RAM 3500 is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden quick change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a crucial sign of a defective mass airflow sensor.