The Purpose
If you’re feeling frustrated about your car’s check engine light, perhaps you’re wondering why your vehicle even has the warning lamp. The truth is it’s a federal mandate on all new cars sold in the United States beginning in 1996. It’s a feature of the second-generation onboard diagnostic system or OBD-II. This system is designed to provide a universal trouble code for similar issues regardless of make or model, with the ultimate goal of limiting the amount of harmful emissions released into the atmosphere. If your CEL has illuminated, count on the ASE-certified technicians at Top Notch Automotive in Crystal Lake, Illinois, for check engine light diagnostics. We’re conveniently located nearby at 930 Pyott Rd. Suite 101 Crystal Lake, IL 60014 between Three Oaks Recreation Area and Canterbury Park and near the intersection with S. Virginia Road. We’re here to assist you Mon-Fri: 8AM-5:30PM. Make your appointment online or by phone at (815) 526-3626.
Solving The Mystery
While the CEL can seem like one of life’s great mysteries to drivers, it’s a challenge To Notch Automotive accepts and solves regardless of the make or model you drive. Did you know something as simple as a loose gas cap can cause the light to come on? That’s because a poorly fitting cap can breach the sealed fuel system. On the other end of the spectrum, the catalytic converter can trigger the warning if it has gone bad. Typically, this component lasts a very long time. Thus, the underlying cause is usually somewhere in between. Old, worn spark plugs are often problematic, as are spark plug wires that have deteriorated. Another common cause of the light is a bad sensor. The mass airflow sensor measures the amount of air/oxygen available for combustion, and an oxygen sensor relays to the computer the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust. This allows your vehicle to make adjustments to optimize the fuel-air ratio. We’ll obtain the trouble code once we connect our computer equipment to your auto’s OBD port. While this points us in the right direction, our expertise will allow us to pinpoint the exact problem to accurately repair your transportation.
Great Customer Service
If you’re experiencing issues related to your auto’s malfunctioning indicator lamp, Top Notch Automotive wants to help. However, we don’t stop with the mechanical service. We offer many customer conveniences alongside a friendly, neighborly smile. With state-of-the-art equipment and years of experience, our accurate diagnosis allows us to give you a reliable estimate before beginning repair work. Be sure to ask about the warranty details of your repair(s). Our guarantees extend up to 5 years / 50,000 miles. The Better Business Bureau accredits our shop, and we’re part of the RepairPal and NAPA AutoCare networks. We can even take care of pick-up/drop-off within eight miles of the shop, or you can use a loaner car.
