Check Engine Light Problems -Automobile Repair: Trouble Shooting

Trouble shooting problems on your automobile can and will save you money repairing it. Problems such as a check engine light or a problem with a computer controlled device can be time consuming if you decide to do this yourself. But in the long run as I said before the savings are unbelievable. For instance lets say out of the blue as your driving down the road your automobile starts to pop and your check engine light illuminates. The first step involved while trying to trouble shoot this problem is to find out why your check engine soon light came on. If your light came on the same time your automobile began to pop and sputter you can bet these two things are connected.


A trouble code 42 indicates that your problems are in your electronic spark timing control circuit. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your timing advance is off it means that in that circuit which consists of an ignition module, your secondary ignition and your ECM you will need to pull out your schematic and follow the diagnostic tree. Just as soon as your onboard computer picks up the glitch it will illuminate your automobiles check engine light.

Another common check engine light problem you might experience is with your throttle position sensor. Automobile problems that have a check engine light associated with the TPS will exhibit poor engine performance, hesitation, and lack of power. Trouble shooting this problem you will have to locate your TPS which is usually located around your throttle body. Most automobiles have a three wire connector attached to the TPS which will have to be unplugged to test. One wire is a five volt power supply and one engine ground, and a five volt reference wire is the other.

On the newer vehicles you might have a check engine light associated with a loose gas cap. If you remember putting gas in your vehicle and forgetting to install or tighten down the gas cap this problem can be fixed by tightening up your gas cap and resetting the check engine light. The automobiles computer will reset the check engine light automatically after so many key starts. Each automobile has its own procedure in fixing this problem. Make sure you read your owners manual to set the check engine light the appropriate way for your automobile.

Trouble shooting check engine light problems on your own automobile will require you to purchase a very reliable digital volt ohm meter, a test light, and a scan tool to reset your check engine light when you are through. These tools can be bought at any auto repair parts store or Wal-Mart. Check engine light problems or service engine soon light automobile repair problems should be performed by a certified auto repair technician to fix them right the first time.