Check Engine Light Repair & Diagnostics


engine

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

Al’s Auto Care has the training, experience, and equipment to correctly diagnose and perform Check Engine light repair in Brick NJ or Service Engine Soon light repair in Brick NJ.

We specialize in Check Engine light repair and Check Engine light service. Al’s Auto Care has the training, experience, and equipment to fix your Check Engine light problem or fix the Service Engine Soon light on.

Our auto repair shop in Brick, New Jersey has the latest, most sophisticated diagnostic scan tools available. We spend thousands of dollars every year updating our test equipment and education so we can quickly and correctly repair Check Engine light problems on your car or truck.

All modern vehicles have at least one computer that controls and monitors the operation of your vehicle. When a malfunction is detected, the Check Engine light will alert you to a problem. In some cases, the check engine light may flash on and then go off by itself. In other cases, the Check Engine light may remain on and warn you that you need to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified auto repair technician.

Not every automotive problem presents itself by showing obvious signals like hard starting, rough running, stalling, or odd noises. The Check Engine light is often an indicator of minor problems before they become major (expensive) problems. It is very important not to ignore the Check Engine warning light! Servicing your vehicle now can prevent serious problems that result from ignoring Check Engine or “Service Engine Soon” light warnings.

Al’s Auto Care can quickly find out if your check engine light is on because of a simple problem like a loose fuel fill cap or something requiring further investigation. The simplest thing to do is to bring your vehicle to our shop and let us diagnose what problem could be triggering your check engine light.

Is your check engine light on? Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Al’s Auto Care performs all types of car warning light repairs in Ocean County in New Jersey:

  • ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) light repair in Brick NJ
  • Air Bag light repair in Brick NJ
  • ASR (Anti-slip Regulation) light repair in Brick NJ
  • SES (Service Engine Soon) light repair in Brick NJ
  • SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) light repair in Brick NJ
  • TCS (Traction Control System) light repair in Brick NJ
  • VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) light repair in Brick NJ
  • Traction Control light repair in Brick NJ
  • Service 4WD light repair in Brick NJ

Some of the vehicles Al’s Auto Care performs check engine light repairs are the following:

  • Audi check engine light repair in Brick NJ
  • BMW check engine light repair in Brick NJ
  • Jaguar check engine light repair in Brick NJ
  • Lexus check engine light repair in Brick NJ
  • Mercedes-Benz check engine light repair in Brick NJ
  • MINI Cooper check engine light repair in Brick NJ
  • Toyota check engine light repair in Brick NJ
  • VW check engine light repair in Brick NJ
  • Volkswagen check engine light repair in Brick NJ
  • Infiniti check engine light repair in Brick NJ
  • Honda check engine light repair in Brick NJ

How The Check Engine Light Works


Your vehicle’s computer constantly monitors a large number of sensor readings that measure the operating conditions of your vehicle. If the computer detects a problem it will switch on the check engine light to warn the driver the vehicle needs to be inspected and the problem diagnosed.

When a sensor reading is out of the normal operating range the computer records a trouble code. If the problem is serious the light is immediately switched on. If the problem is temporary, or intermittent, the computer will record the error code and wait for the problem to happen again. If the problem reoccurs the check engine light will be switched on and stay on until it is checked and reset by an auto repair technician.

Don't Ignore your "Service Engine Soon" Light


Your Service Engine Soon often gets confused with the Check Engine light alert because they seem to be interchangeable. There are some differences, and like your Check Engine light, it’s something you want to take care of sooner than later. The SES, or Service Engine Soon light primarily monitors vehicle emissions so there is no need to panic. Unlike the Overheat or Charging System red warning lights that require an immediate shutdown of the engine, the Service Engine Soon light service is mostly advisory.

The Service Engine Soon light is typically yellow or orange and signals caution. Even though the Service Engine Soon light doesn’t indicate a serious problem, your vehicle is calling out for help. Your car is not only polluting, it is performing poorly.

If you need help repairing your Service Engine Soon light in Brick, NJ 08723 Al’s Auto Care has the correct diagnostic equipment and the trained technicians to identify the source of and fix Service Engine Soon light problems.

Complete Computerized Engine Analysis


Why a complete computerized engine analysis is worth every penny

The computers in modern vehicles operate and monitor almost every system in the vehicle: air conditioning, radio, airbags, alarm, anti-lock braking, traction control, ride control, cruise control, instrument panels, transmissions, and most importantly the emission and engine controls. There are a wide range of warning lights to inform the driver if there is a problem.

Today too many shops have tried to rely on the vehicle self-diagnostic system. Instead of using proper troubleshooting procedures some people trying to repair check engine light problems, mostly do-it-yourself mechanics or less skilled auto repair technicians, resort to trial and error parts swapping when they don’t know how to fix a warning light problem.

Diagnosis and repair of these complex electronic systems requires extensive training, experience, and expensive equipment to perform Check Engine light service in Brick NJ correctly and economically.

It is important to choose a shop that has experienced ASE Certified Technicians, the latest computerized diagnostic equipment. Diagnosing modern vehicles without the proper training and diagnostic equipment can result in misdiagnosis costing you hundreds, even thousands of dollars of unnecessary repairs.

The major auto part manufacturers have reported that as high as 80% of all vehicle computers returned for repair were found to NOT be defective! For this reason, a proper check engine light analysis can save you money by correctly diagnosing your vehicle’s problems the first time!

Check Engine Light Repair


Why does the problem need to be “diagnosed?” Doesn’t the computer tell you what is wrong?

Some people think the warning, trouble code stored and provided by the vehicle computer will tell the auto repair technician exactly what is wrong. Unfortunately, troubleshooting is usually just not that simple. The trouble code will tell the mechanic what sensor reading is out of normal parameters, but it can’t tell the technician what is causing this. Trouble codes provide a place to start and help narrow down the possible causes of a check engine light.

Some problems are very simple and easy to identify. Others are very complex with several issues or causes built into one. The technician must use special diagnostic equipment and a time consuming series of problem solving steps to find the correct cause. Finding the source of the problem is a combination of training, experience, and the right tools.

Example: Let’s say you feel terrible (your body’s Check Engine Light). You get a thermometer (heat sensor), put it under your tongue, and find out that you have a fever of 104 degrees. You now know you have a fever but you don’t know what is causing it. It could be a sinus infection, appendicitis, or just the flu. Only a skilled person (i.e. your doctor), can correctly diagnose the problem. The doctor will use knowledge, tools, and experience to tell you what is causing your fever and offer a solution.

How Do You Find The Right Solution? Leave It To The Pros

Anyone can scan a vehicle for trouble codes but only a certified, experienced auto repair technician can correctly diagnose the problem repair it correctly.

Al’s Auto Care located in Brick, New Jersey will diagnose  your check engine light problems accurately and provide the best repair for your budget.