Dodge Durango Check Engine Light

Dodge Durango Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, especially to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminate, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear right away. If you hear the term, diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), these are just another name for check engine light codes. These are automotive computer codes stored by the ECM, also known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Durango. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can accurately represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you helpful knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that important Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, apparent and useful vehicle symptoms do not constantly accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are also hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:

• Ignition system faults
• Transmission issues
• Bad Spark Plugs
• Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
• Computer output circuit issues
• Emissions controls issues
• Fuel and air metering systems problems
• O2 Sensor
• Old Battery

This is why it is important for someone who does not have a lot of prevailing automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out expeditiously by a adept certified Dodge mechanic. Call Kahlo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram at 4632326531 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your vehicle further by not repairing the issue right away.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most frequently misunderstood lights or indicators in your Dodge Durango is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the vital onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a wide range of different ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light illuminates in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your vehicle. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance since the 80s and do a wide range of things for your Dodge Durango. Some of these essential duties include shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, controlling engine speed, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a variety of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as perilous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your Dodge Durango, contact Kahlo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Contact Kahlo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today! Our Dodge service department can assist you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing.

Check Engine Light Service Dodge Durango

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Dodge Durango and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Dodge owners, your heart sinks extremely because you may have absolutely idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the cost of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep, peaceful breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is suggested that you get your Dodge Durango checked promptly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major, huge damage to expensive engine parts.

When your Dodge Durango's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t correct, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is ordinarily labeled “check engine” or “service engine soon”, or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, or a picture of the engine with the word “check.”

When the light turns on, the ECM stores an engine code or “trouble code” in its memory that can swiftly identify the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an electronic scan tool that is used by our Dodge auto repair mechanics at Kahlo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. There are likewise a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you pick that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced professional to determine the definitely right issue and repair it.

Is it safe to drive your Dodge Durango with the check engine light on?

This question is not very simple because it all depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be safe to drive. This is usually indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the vehicle, it could be an indication of a more serious problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is advised to service your Dodge Durango instantly. Call the experts at Kahlo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram by dialing 4632326531 so you can describe the issues. Or lessen your speed and bring your Dodge to our certified mechanics as soon as possible.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your Dodge Durango will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For instance, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will instantly turn itself off. Also, if your catalytic converter is working accurately, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, that may have turned on the check engine light due to the high usage of the converter. In most cases, your Dodge Durango light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Kahlo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

Dodge Durango Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your Dodge Durango starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention swiftly and your Dodge should be brought in immediately. A flashing light reveals that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of swiftly may result in significant and meaningful damage to the vehicle. This blinking light usually reveals a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can immediately raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an pricey and huge repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can absolutely be the cause. A faulty, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If the problem is totally ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a very costly repair. If your check engine light is repeatedly flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Kahlo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram promptly by calling 4632326531.

How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?

It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. Since every check engine code has its own level of severity, it is ordinarily difficult to predict how multiple miles you can be safe in driving with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we advise that you pull over and contact Kahlo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to support determine if your car is safe to drive in or if we advise a tow truck.

How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?

The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is typically between $88 and $111. The good news, Kahlo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram offers totally free multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to support determine the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not accurately tightened to a more serious failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it good to get the correct code reading and diagnosis.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a Dodge Durango?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Again, the check engine light could likewise be a warning of a serious problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and pricey repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow generally means something less serious but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in serious trouble and helpful service is required swiftly. If your check engine light is flashing in your Dodge Durango, we exceedingly endorse not to drive the vehicle and schedule Dodge service today. Below is a list of the most common reasons your check engine light can come on:

• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Dodge Durango is what determines how much fuel is required to run your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to certain changes, like altitude. If your Dodge Durango is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden fast change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a vital sign of a damaged mass airflow sensor.
• Your Dodge Durango has a vacuum leak. Every Dodge Durango has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system likewise helps lower harmful emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine. If you notice that your RPM is high in idle or randomly surges, a vacuum leak could be the cause. Over time, vacuum hoses can dry out and crack, particularly if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your Dodge Durango if it’s not installed correctly. These aftermarket components and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even impede the car from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Durango to Dodge and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed accurately and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, particularly aftermarket parts and accessories, or utilizing OEM components first place might cost a little bit more but could support you save substantially from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Dodge Durango is every vital. Without a car battery, your car won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s car batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't absolutely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Dodge you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns more quickly and your car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what results if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A damaged sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause meaningful damage to your catalytic converter and your Dodge Durango's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the explicitly correct combination of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A damaged O2 sensor can likewise cause a car to fail an emissions test.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Dodge Durango’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A damaged catalytic converter is frequently caused by constantly neglected maintenance, which is why Kahlo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram offers a complimentary multi-point check with every Dodge service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your Dodge Durango will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your car may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause other dangerous problems from overheating.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are required for your Dodge Durango. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel combination in the combustion chamber of your car. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run smooth. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are bad or old, you will undergo a evident poor performance and reduced power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause blocked catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more pricey repairs.
• One of the most regular and frequent cause is that your Dodge Durango gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your Dodge Durango serves different purposes. It prevents unpredictable gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps cultivate pressure within the fuel tank. What results if you have a damaged fuel cap? If your gas cap is old or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump and be more costly. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't pricey. If your check engine light turns on instantly after you put gas in your Dodge Durango, first thing you should check is to make sure the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.

Dodge Durango Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are countless potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are several typical causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other generally typical reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty head gasket, damaged emissions control part, dirty mass airflow sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, broken oxygen sensor, or damaged spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Dodge Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and utterly repair it as required to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Dodge issue was completely fixed.

Every Dodge Durango was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its crucial systems. The speedy sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending important data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. However, sadly that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what specifically is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Kahlo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Extremely Knowledgeable Service professional.