Check engine light came on -- what to do?

[HeyBales]

Flashing or not flashing?

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong in about 30 seconds.... but.....

I believe a solid light is not urgent. You can check up on it when convenient

Flashing is urgent and you should check on it right away.

Correct - what solid means:

Malfunction Indicator Lamp

It illuminates when the ignition is on and the engine is off, this is normal operation. If it illuminates when the engine is on this indicates that the emission control system requires service. If it flashes, have your vehicle checked immediately. See Starting and Stopping the Engine – Warning Lamps.

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[Hootbro]

You can pick up a simple OBDII code reader for $20 or less on Amazon. No reason to not have one in the glove box or center console for times like this to have a basic idea of what is going on and making more educated decisions.

 

[El Kabong]

For reading trouble codes even one of the cheap $10 ones would probably work, you just can't do advanced stuff with it (e.g., Forscan).

I for one decided to splurge on myself for my birthday.

 

[HeyBales]

For reading trouble codes even one of the cheap $10 ones would probably work, you just can't do advanced stuff with it (e.g., Forscan).

I for one decided to splurge on myself for my birthday.

The OBDLink I figure is about as expensive as a cheaper scanner that would be limited (not the cheapest), possibly harder to use/read. (I think I may have limited myself getting the adapter for Android/non-iPhone only)

But the adapter not only works with like $8 Forscan app for many advanced features for Ford/Madza, but can also work with advanced apps for other makes/models (let that friend/family member buy it), besides just a decent scanner app like Car Scanner that is also like $5-10 for possibly advanced features on some makes/models - but at least an easier to use scanner tool anyway.

 

[El Kabong]

The OBDLink I figure is about as expensive as a cheaper scanner that would be limited (not the cheapest), possibly harder to use/read. (I think I may have limited myself getting the adapter for Android/non-iPhone only)

But the adapter not only works with like $8 Forscan app for many advanced features for Ford/Madza, but can also work with advanced apps for other makes/models (let that friend/family member buy it), besides just a decent scanner app like Car Scanner that is also like $5-10 for possibly advanced features on some makes/models - but at least an easier to use scanner tool anyway.

It was a splurge. I do have a VW in the driveway and at some point the wife will want another car (but the VW is a 2017 and has under 20k miles on it... like new and all).

 

[Cherokee]

I didn’t disable tracking and I let Ford monitor my truck.
They called me 30 seconds after I hit a deer at high speed.
If my check engine light comes on my phone will ring within One minute if its critical and if it’s not I get a call before the day is over.
Done of these guys are paranoid and disable tracking.

Is yours on ?

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