What to Expect When You Come In
Bringing your vehicle in for a check engine light visit is straightforward. We start by running full service diagnostic testing to pinpoint the source of the warning, then walk you through exactly what we found and what it can take to fix it. Nothing moves forward until you understand the situation and give the go-ahead.
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.
Steady Light vs. Flashing Light
Not all check engine lights carry the same urgency. A steady light indicates a problem that warrants attention soon, but it generally allows you to drive to a scheduled service appointment without immediate risk. A flashing light is a different situation. It signals an active engine misfire, which can damage the catalytic converter if you keep driving. If your light is flashing, pull over when it’s safe and arrange to have the vehicle towed rather than driving it in.
Common Reasons Your Check Engine Light Is On
A check engine light can be triggered by anything from a loose gas cap to a failing emissions component. Because the range is so wide, pinpointing the specific cause requires a proper diagnosis.
Frequent culprits include:
- Loose or faulty gas cap: One of the most common and easily resolved triggers. A cap that isn’t sealing properly allows fuel vapors to escape, which the emissions system detects.
- Failing oxygen sensor: When an oxygen sensor stops reading correctly, the engine runs on an improper fuel mixture, reducing efficiency and increasing emissions.
- Worn spark plugs or ignition coils: These cause engine misfires, rough idling, and declining fuel economy. Left unaddressed, they can stress other components.
- Mass airflow sensor: A malfunctioning mass airflow sensor disrupts the air-fuel ratio, affecting performance and triggering the light.
- Catalytic converter: Often a downstream consequence of other ignored issues, a failing catalytic converter affects emissions and can be costly to replace.
Whatever the cause, we can find it. Our ASE-certified technicians can walk you through the findings and help get you back on the road. We offer a complimentary shuttle service so you don’t have to rearrange your day around your car. Call us at (479) 346-4768 to get started.
Why a Code Read Isn’t Enough
Since the mid-1990s, virtually every vehicle has been equipped with an OBD-II onboard diagnostic system that continuously monitors engine and emissions components. When it detects something outside normal parameters, it records a diagnostic trouble code and turns on the check engine light. Those codes are a starting point, not a complete answer. A code pointing to an oxygen sensor circuit, for example, doesn’t tell you whether the sensor itself has failed, whether there’s a wiring issue, or whether something upstream is affecting the reading. Confirming the actual root cause requires additional diagnostic work by someone who knows what to look for. That’s the difference between a quick scan at a parts store and full service diagnostic testing performed by an ASE-certified technician with the right equipment.
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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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"My husband would never let anyone work on our vehicles. He did it all the maintenance himself but with health issues we knew we needed to get someone else to do the maintenance. My hubby never trusted anyone till we went to Christian Brother auto. They hav"
- K.M