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.
See What Our Technicians See
Every check engine light diagnostic at Christian Brothers Automotive Barry Road includes a free Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI). Our technicians capture actual photos of your vehicle during the process so you can see exactly what they found and understand why a repair may or may not be needed. No guesswork, no vague descriptions. Just clear visual documentation that helps you make a confident, informed decision.
Common Causes & What to Expect From a Diagnostic
Hundreds of different fault codes can trigger a check engine light, which is why a code reader alone rarely tells the complete story. Our Full Service Diagnostic Testing goes beyond basic ODB scanner codes to determine which fault is actively causing the condition your vehicle is experiencing right now. The expanded section below covers the most common triggers and what a thorough diagnostic evaluation actually involves.
Common Reasons the Check Engine Light Comes On
Understanding what may have triggered your warning light can help set expectations before your appointment. These are among the most frequent causes technicians encounter:
- Oxygen sensor: A faulty or failing oxygen sensor is one of the most common triggers. It affects fuel efficiency and emissions output, and when ignored, it can lead to downstream damage including catalytic converter failure.
- Loose, cracked, or missing gas cap: Fuel vapor escaping the evaporative emissions system is a straightforward fix, but it still triggers the light and warrants inspection.
- Catalytic converter: Often a downstream consequence of deferred oxygen sensor repairs, a failing catalytic converter can also cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
- Spark plugs or ignition coils: These failures cause engine misfires, which typically generate a P0300-series fault code. A flashing check engine light, rather than a steady one, often points to an active misfire and warrants stopping driving promptly.
- Mass airflow sensor: A malfunctioning mass airflow sensor disrupts the air-fuel mixture and can cause rough idling, hesitation, or reduced power alongside the warning light.
- Transmission fault codes: The check engine light isn’t limited to engine and emissions systems. Transmission-related codes can also illuminate the warning.
What Full Service Diagnostic Testing Covers
A professional OBD-II scan reads stored and pending fault codes across engine, emissions, transmission, and other vehicle systems. Stored codes may have been set days or weeks before the light appeared, so identifying which code is actively driving the current condition requires more than reading a number off a scanner.
Our technicians also review applicable Technical Service Bulletins issued by manufacturers, which can provide important context for why a specific code was set on a particular vehicle. The Digital Vehicle Inspection provides photo documentation throughout the process. Once the diagnostic is complete, your technician can explain what was found and walk you through your repair options in plain language. No work is performed without your consent.
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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"AAA introduced me to the best service experience I've ever had! Christian Brothers took me to work and picked me up (on time), their service folks are among the most professional I've ever met and their facility looked like a dental office -VERY IMPRESSIVE"
- Dorene Disbrow