Something almost everyone who drives will experience the sheer terror of a bright orange light appearing on their dash – the check engine light. It's an ominous premonition that sometimes comes unexpectedly and can sometimes take months, days, or even mere hours to show its impact. Some choose to ignore it and go their way, while others instantly pull into the nearest garage to figure out what's wrong. Chances are if it's not a simple issue like an overdue oil change or maybe even some extra pressure in the tires, it is probably something electrical.
If you're not car smart and also prone to ignoring those lights on your dash, consider this your sign to take it to the nearest professional. This is the first step in figuring out what's going on with the electrical components in your vehicle. A simple diagnostic (which is usually free at any repair shop) will let you and the professional know what's not working anymore and how it can be fixed.
One of the most occurring reasons is the battery. Sometimes it can just be an easy fix of installing a new one, and if you've been riding on the same battery for over two years now – you are long overdue. Connections to the battery are essential as well. Corrosion can cause a lot of issues with batteries, especially the older one.
But maybe you just got a new battery, and things still aren't turning over! Well, now it could be your alternator. This is what keeps your battery charged and ready to roll. A lousy alternator doesn't mean you can't start your car at all, but it means you're going to have one heck of a time trying to start it. Another indicator is the sudden blackout of your dash lights. The alternator is what keeps the juices the flowing throughout the entire vehicle, and if the juices don't flow – the car no go.
Additionally, with the alternator, the starter could be another significant electrical issue as well. All the symptoms of a bad starter are vaguely familiar to that of a bad alternator. So before you pull up a tutorial on changing out these components and spending money on parts, it's best to say again that you take your vehicle into a professional and have the friendly staff run a full diagnostic.
Don't let the check engine light haunt you this Halloween, get your vehicle in for a check-up today by Accurso Auto Repair and avoid a spooky surprise tomorrow!
