Dodge Durango Check Engine Light

Dodge Durango Check Engine Light

A flashing light reveals that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of swiftly may result in significant and serious damage to the vehicle. 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 rapidly. This blinking light ordinarily indicates 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 expensive and considerable repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can precisely be the cause. A defective, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is regularly flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Surprise instantly by calling 4805681581. If the problem is entirely 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 pricey repair.

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

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is recommended to service your Dodge Durango promptly. 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 secure to drive. This is generally 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. Call the experts at Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Surprise by dialing 4805681581 so you can describe the issues. Or decrease your speed and bring your Dodge to our certified mechanics as soon as potential.

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 exceptionally because you may have exactly 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 immediately. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major, huge damage to costly 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 appropriate, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is usually 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 rapidly 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 Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Surprise. There are also 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 appropriate issue and repair it.

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

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 proper code reading and diagnosis. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is generally between $88 and $111. The good news, Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Surprise offers completely complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to support determine the cause of your check engine light.

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 various typical causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other usually typical reasons for a Check Engine Light are a malfunction with the fuel injection system, dirty mass airflow sensor, broken emissions control part, broken head gasket, damaged oxygen sensor, or faulty 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 completely repair it as needed 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 critical systems. The rapid sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending essential 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, unfortunately that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what exactly is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Surprise provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Remarkably Certified Service professional.

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

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

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most normally 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 controlling engine speed, ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean an assortment 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 Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Surprise. Contact Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Surprise today! Our Dodge service department can support you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing.

Dodge Durango Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, particularly 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, still known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Durango. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can correctly represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you helpful knowledge about your vehicle and will still allow that essential Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, apparent and useful vehicle symptoms do not constantly accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of likely OBD codes, there are still hundreds of likely reasons for the light, including:

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

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 quickly by a skillful certified Dodge mechanic. Call Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Surprise at 4805681581 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 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. Also, the check engine light could still be a warning of a meaningful 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 typically means something less serious but a flashing check engine light signifies that your vehicle’s engine is in serious trouble and useful service is necessary expeditiously. If your check engine light is flashing in your Dodge Durango, we immensely suggest not to drive the car and schedule Dodge service today. Below is a list of the most common reasons your check engine light can come on:

• 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 expeditiously and your vehicle will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A faulty 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 right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A faulty O2 sensor can still cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are necessary for your Dodge Durango. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. 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 experience a noticeable poor performance and decreased power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause obstructed catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more pricey repairs.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Dodge Durango is each important. Without a vehicle battery, your vehicle won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s vehicle batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't genuinely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Dodge you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• 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 prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Durango to Dodge and have our team of accomplished certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed accurately and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using 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.
• Your Dodge Durango has a vacuum leak. Each Dodge Durango has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system still helps lower adverse 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, especially if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
• 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 broken catalytic converter is usually caused by regularly neglected maintenance, which is why Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Surprise offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with each 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 vehicle may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause other dangerous problems from overheating.
• One of the most common and frequent cause is that your Dodge Durango gas cap is loose, broken or missing. The gas cap for your Dodge Durango serves numerous purposes. It prevents perilous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps cultivate pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you have a faulty 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 expeditiously 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.
• 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 necessary 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 quick change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a crucial sign of a faulty mass airflow sensor.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your Dodge Durango will frequently 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 promptly turn itself off. Likewise, 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 Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Surprise so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.