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Check Engine Light Service Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Chevrolet owners, your heart sinks exceptionally because you may have explicitly 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, tranquil 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 recommended that you get your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD checked quickly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing significant, extensive damage to costly engine components.

When your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t right, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is generally 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 expeditiously 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 Chevrolet auto repair mechanics at Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Murray. There are again a number of essentially 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 precisely correct issue and repair it.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 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 Silverado 2500 HD. 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 advantageous knowledge about your car and will also allow that essential Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, obvious and useful car symptoms do not invariably accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of likely OBD codes, there are also hundreds of likely reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is important for someone who does not have a lot of prevalent 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 adept certified Chevrolet mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your vehicle further by not repairing the issue right away. Call Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Murray at 3854856856 today or schedule your check engine light service online today!

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD will normally shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, 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. Still, 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 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 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 Chevrolet Murray so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD?

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 also be a warning of an essential problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and costly 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 reveals that your vehicle’s engine is in serious trouble and helpful service is necessary expeditiously. If your check engine light is flashing in your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, we extremely propose not to drive the vehicle and schedule Chevrolet service today. Below is a list of the most regular 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 car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what hits if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A broken sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause significant damage to your catalytic converter and your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the exactly appropriate combination of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A broken O2 sensor can again cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
  • Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD’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 ordinarily caused by constantly neglected maintenance, which is why Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Murray offers a complimentary multi-point check with every Chevrolet service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 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 perilous problems from overheating.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD. 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 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 costly repairs.
  • Your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD has a vacuum leak. Every Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system again 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, exceptionally 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 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket parts 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 Silverado 2500 HD to Chevrolet and have our team of accomplished certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed accurately and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, exceptionally aftermarket parts and accessories, or utilizing OEM parts first place might cost a little bit more but could help you save considerably from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
  • One of the most common and frequent cause is that your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD gas cap is loose, broken or missing. The gas cap for your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD serves numerous purposes. It prevents perilous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps manage pressure within the fuel tank. What hits if you have a broken 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 expensive. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't costly. If your check engine light turns on swiftly after you put gas in your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 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 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD is what determines how much fuel is needed 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 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden fast change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a crucial sign of a broken mass airflow sensor.
  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD is every vital. 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 absolutely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Chevrolet you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.

Is it safe to drive your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 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 secure to drive. This is typically indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the car, 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 recommended to service your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD swiftly. Call the experts at Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Murray by dialing 3854856856 so you can describe the issues. Or decrease your speed and bring your Chevrolet to our certified mechanics as soon as imaginable.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention swiftly and your Chevrolet should be brought in expeditiously. A flashing light signifies that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of swiftly may result in major and meaningful damage to the car. This blinking light normally reveals a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can rapidly 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 broken, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is invariably flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Murray quickly by calling 3854856856. 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 expensive repair.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the vital onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a variety 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 car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do a variety of things for your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD. Some of these essential duties include shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, controlling engine speed, and implementing security 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 hazardous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, contact Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Murray . Contact Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Murray today! Our Chevrolet 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.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 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 common causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other often common reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty emissions control part, damaged oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, defective head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, or damaged spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Chevrolet Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and totally 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 Chevrolet issue was completely fixed.

Every Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 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 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. Yet, sadly that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what precisely is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Murray provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Highly Knowledgeable Service professional.

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, Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Murray offers totally free multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to assist determine the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not properly 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 appropriate code reading and diagnosis.

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

If you check engine light is flashing, we advise that you pull over and contact Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Murray to assist determine if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we advise a tow truck. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. Since any 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. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.