Dodge Grand Caravan Check Engine Light

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 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 properly 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.

Check Engine Light Service Dodge Grand Caravan

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Dodge Grand Caravan 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, serene 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 suggested that you get your Dodge Grand Caravan checked promptly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing significant, huge damage to expensive engine components.

When your Dodge Grand Caravan'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 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 rapidly 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 also a number of comparatively 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 explicitly right issue and repair it.

Dodge Grand Caravan Check Engine Light

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

Dodge Grand Caravan 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 usually regular reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty emissions control part, broken oxygen sensor, faulty head gasket, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, 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 totally repair it as needed 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 Dodge Grand Caravan 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 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 explicitly 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 Very Qualified Service professional.

Dodge Grand Caravan 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, still known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Grand Caravan. 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 vital Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, clear and useful car symptoms do not invariably accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are still hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is important 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 promptly by a adept certified Dodge mechanic.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your Dodge Grand Caravan 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 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 Dodge Grand Caravan 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.

Is it safe to drive your Dodge Grand Caravan with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is suggested to service your Dodge Grand Caravan promptly. 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. 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 Dodge to our certified mechanics as soon as likely.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most generally misunderstood lights or indicators in your Dodge Grand Caravan is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the important onboard diagnostics system, and displays in an assortment 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 an assortment of things for your Dodge Grand Caravan. Some of these essential duties include ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, and implementing cohesion control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a variety 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 Dodge Grand Caravan, 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.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a Dodge Grand Caravan?

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 meaningful problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and expensive 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 required quickly. If your check engine light is flashing in your Dodge Grand Caravan, we exceptionally advocate not to drive the car 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 Dodge Grand Caravan if it’s not installed correctly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even limit the car from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Grand Caravan 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, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or utilizing OEM parts 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 Grand Caravan is what determines how much fuel is required 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 Grand Caravan 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 defective mass airflow sensor.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Dodge Grand Caravan’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 normally caused by repeatedly neglected maintenance, which is why Bill Estes Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM offers a complimentary multi-point check with every Dodge service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your Dodge Grand Caravan 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 dangerous problems from overheating.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are required for your Dodge Grand Caravan. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel combination 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 experience a noticeable 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 obstructed catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more expensive repairs.
• One of the most regular and frequent cause is that your Dodge Grand Caravan gas cap is loose, broken or missing. The gas cap for your Dodge Grand Caravan serves multiple purposes. It prevents perilous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps manage 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 costly. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on expeditiously after you put gas in your Dodge Grand Caravan, 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 Dodge Grand Caravan has a vacuum leak. Every Dodge Grand Caravan 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, especially if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Dodge Grand Caravan is every vital. 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 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.
• 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 instantly 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 significant damage to your catalytic converter and your Dodge Grand Caravan's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the exactly correct combination 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.

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

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 usually difficult to predict how multiple miles you can be secure in driving with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we endorse 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 endorse a tow truck.