Our Five-Stage Check Engine Light Diagnostic Process
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Our process connects your vehicle’s symptoms with inspection results and system testing before we recommend repairs. You receive documented findings, an explanation from a service advisor, and the opportunity to approve the work.
Here’s what to expect during check engine light diagnostics:
- Appointment Intake: We collect information about the warning light, vehicle symptoms, and service needs when you schedule.
- Inspection and Diagnostics: Our technicians inspect the vehicle and use manufacturer-equivalent diagnostic equipment to evaluate the fault.
- Digital Report and Estimate: We provide a digital vehicle inspection report that can include pictures, videos, findings, recommendations, and an estimate.
- Review and Approval: A service advisor explains the results and recommended next steps. You can approve work digitally or directly through the advisor.
- Repair Completion or Scheduling: After approval, the work can be completed or scheduled according to parts and customer availability.
Diagnostic trouble codes from the OBD-II diagnostic system identify a system or condition associated with a fault. Because a code isn’t a complete diagnosis by itself, we compare it with the symptoms, inspection findings, and additional testing before recommending parts or repairs.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore the Warning
Ignoring an illuminated check engine light can allow a problem to become more extensive and expensive. The light can indicate issues ranging from a simple fix to a serious fault affecting your vehicle’s performance, fuel economy, or emissions. Our team performs a diagnostic scan to retrieve ODB scanner codes from your vehicle’s computer. Those codes help direct our inspection and testing, but they don’t automatically identify a failed part or the root cause.
After our diagnostic process, we can give you a detailed breakdown of our findings, explaining the issue in easy-to-understand terms. We won’t proceed with any repairs until you understand and approve the work. A steady warning light generally calls for prompt diagnosis, while a flashing light can indicate an active engine misfire or another serious condition. If the vehicle is running roughly, losing power, overheating, or producing unusual smoke, stop driving when it’s safe and seek professional guidance.
A variety of issues can cause the check engine light to turn on. Our ASE-certified technicians in Amarillo diagnose the underlying condition instead of treating the warning light as proof that a particular part has failed.
Some of the most common culprits include:
- Oxygen Sensor Malfunction: The oxygen sensor monitors the amount of oxygen in the exhaust. A bad sensor can reduce fuel efficiency and increase harmful emissions.
- Loose Gas Cap: A loose or damaged gas cap can allow fuel vapors to escape, which can trigger the warning light.
- Catalytic Converter Issues: This component converts toxic exhaust gases into less harmful pollutants. Unresolved engine problems can affect the catalytic converter and require further testing.
- Faulty Spark Plugs or Ignition Coils: Problems with your ignition system can cause your engine to misfire, leading to a rough idle and a loss of power.
- Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) System Leaks: This system prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. A leak can cause your light to turn on.
The light’s behavior and your vehicle’s symptoms help establish urgency. A steady light still deserves timely attention, even if the vehicle appears to drive normally. A flashing check engine light warrants more immediate guidance, particularly when it appears with rough running or loss of power.
We diagnose and repair the underlying issue after explaining the findings and receiving your approval. Covered repairs are protected by our industry-leading 3-year/36,000-mile Nice Difference® Warranty. The schedule an appointment online option is available when you’re ready to choose a time.
Schedule check engine light service in Amarillo with technicians who explain the findings before you approve repairs. Book a service online or call (806) 484-0978.
Your Local Christian Brothers Amenities
FAQs
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Q. "What is the difference between a steadily lit and a flashing check engine light?"A steadily lit light means that a sensor is sending a signal to your vehicle's computer that something is wrong or it could simply mean that the sensor is out. If your check engine light is flashing, however, that means there is a serious issue and you should stop driving immediately.
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Q. "Why is my check engine light on but nothing seems to be wrong with my vehicle?"If nothing within your vehicle stands out, then it is possible that it is just a minor issue such as a loose gas cap or a bad O2 sensor. It is still recommended to see a mechanic if the light doesn't disappear to check for any larger issues.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "Can you provide service under my extended warranty?"Yes. At Christian Brothers Automotive, we work with all major extended warranty providers to make needed repairs for our customers. If you have an extended warranty, you can discuss your carrier with our team when scheduling an appointment and confirm that the work will be covered. You can find a partial list of the extended warranty companies we work with here.
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Q. "What to do if your check engine light turns on?"We recommend heading to your local auto shop as soon as you are able. This is typically a sign that there is an abnormality within your engine.
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Q. "Is it safe to drive your car when the check engine light is on?"It depends. If you are experiencing other noticeable issues with your vehicle, it may be best to pull over. Otherwise, it is typically okay to drive to your local auto shop. You will want to get this checked sooner rather than later to avoid being stranded with a broken-down car.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"I was driving from Fort Worth to Durango in a two day old Mercedes GLS 580 when a warning light indicated that the oil was overfilled. With the nearest Mercedes dealerships 5 hours away, Christian Brothers remedied the problem quickly and The manager did n"
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