How a Check Engine Light Visit Works
From your first call to the moment you drive away, the process is built around clarity and speed. Here’s what to expect:
- Schedule and describe your symptoms: Tell us what you’ve noticed so we can prepare accurate service advice before you arrive.
- Diagnosis using manufacturer-grade equipment: Our technicians run Full Service Diagnostic Testing to identify the issue and determine the right repair path.
- Review before any work begins: A service advisor walks you through every finding and recommendation. Nothing moves forward without your approval.
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 Triggered Your Check Engine Light
Our free Digital Vehicle Inspection sends you photos and videos of your vehicle’s condition directly to your phone while it’s in the shop. You see exactly what our technicians see. A service advisor then reviews the findings with you, and you can approve any recommended work straight from the inspection report. No guessing, no pressure, no surprises.
What a Check Engine Light Is Really Telling You
The range of causes behind a check engine light is wide. On one end, a loose gas cap can trigger an evaporative emissions fault code. On the other, a misfiring engine or failing catalytic converter can signal damage serious enough to risk catastrophic engine failure if ignored. When a technician connects an OBD-II scan tool to your vehicle’s diagnostic port, it retrieves the diagnostic trouble codes your onboard computer logged. Those codes point toward a system. Our Full Service Diagnostic Testing narrows that down to the specific component and confirms the fix.
Ready to get answers? Call (980) 372-7213 or use our online contact form to schedule your check engine light diagnostics at Christian Brothers Automotive Concord Coddle Creek in Concord, NC.Steady Light vs. Flashing Light: What the Difference Means
A steady check engine light typically signals a non-emergency issue, something that should be diagnosed soon but doesn’t require you to pull over immediately. A flashing check engine light is different. It usually means the engine is misfiring, which can damage the catalytic converter and other components within minutes of continued driving. If your light is flashing, stop driving and call us.
Putting off a steady light carries its own risk. A minor fault left unaddressed can allow connected systems to degrade, turning a straightforward repair into a significantly more expensive one. The sooner we can run check engine light diagnostics, the better your options.
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 liked the customer service and going above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable while waiting in the store for my vehicle work to be done, specifically being offered a nice hot coffee with creamer."
- J.L.