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Mercedes-Benz GLC 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 several typical causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other generally typical reasons for a Check Engine Light are a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, broken oxygen sensor, damaged emissions control part, or damaged spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Mercedes-Benz Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and utterly repair it as required to restore factory specifications. When this occurs, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Mercedes-Benz issue was totally fixed.

Every Mercedes-Benz GLC 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 quick sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending vital 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. Nevertheless, sadly that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what specifically is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Mercedes-Benz of Draper provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Exceptionally Qualified Service professional.

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 correctly 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 correct code reading and diagnosis. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is typically between $88 and $111. The good news, Mercedes-Benz of Draper offers completely complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to support determine the cause of your check engine light.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your Mercedes-Benz GLC will ordinarily 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 quickly turn itself off. Likewise, if your catalytic converter is working perfectly, 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 Mercedes-Benz GLC 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 Mercedes-Benz of Draper so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

Check Engine Light Service Mercedes-Benz GLC

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Mercedes-Benz GLC and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Mercedes-Benz owners, your heart sinks exceptionally because you may have definitely 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, calm 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 Mercedes-Benz GLC checked promptly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing significant, extensive damage to expensive engine parts.

When your Mercedes-Benz GLC's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t correct, 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 instantly 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 Mercedes-Benz auto repair mechanics at Mercedes-Benz of Draper. There are also a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you select 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 explicitly right issue and repair it.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a Mercedes-Benz GLC?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, 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 pricey 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 signifies that your vehicle’s engine is in serious trouble and helpful service is necessary promptly. If your check engine light is flashing in your Mercedes-Benz GLC, we highly recommend not to drive the vehicle and schedule Mercedes-Benz service today. Below is a list of the most regular reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your Mercedes-Benz GLC if it’s not installed perfectly. These aftermarket components 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 GLC to Mercedes-Benz and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed accurately and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, particularly aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM components first place might cost a little bit more but could assist you save considerably from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
  • 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 swiftly and your car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what results if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A broken sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause meaningful damage to your catalytic converter and your Mercedes-Benz GLC's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the exactly right combination of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A broken O2 sensor can still cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
  • Your Mercedes-Benz GLC has a vacuum leak. Every Mercedes-Benz GLC 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, particularly if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are required for your Mercedes-Benz GLC. 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 go through 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 blocked catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more costly repairs.
  • Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Mercedes-Benz GLC’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A damaged catalytic converter is ordinarily caused by constantly neglected maintenance, which is why Mercedes-Benz of Draper offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Mercedes-Benz service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your Mercedes-Benz GLC 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 delicate problems from overheating.
  • One of the most typical and frequent cause is that your Mercedes-Benz GLC gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your Mercedes-Benz GLC serves different purposes. It prevents dangerous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps control pressure within the fuel tank. What results 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 pricey. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't costly. If your check engine light turns on instantly after you put gas in your Mercedes-Benz GLC, 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.
  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Mercedes-Benz GLC is every important. Without a vehicle battery, your vehicle won’t start, light up the road in front, 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 really require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Mercedes-Benz you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Mercedes-Benz GLC is what determines how much fuel is required 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 Mercedes-Benz GLC is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden speedy change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a critical sign of a broken mass airflow sensor.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your Mercedes-Benz GLC starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention instantly and your Mercedes-Benz should be brought in rapidly. A flashing light indicates that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of instantly may result in major and meaningful damage to the car. This blinking light frequently reveals 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 costly and major repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can absolutely be the cause. A defective, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is consistently flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Mercedes-Benz of Draper quickly by calling 3854255461. 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.

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

If you check engine light is flashing, we endorse that you pull over and contact Mercedes-Benz of Draper to help determine if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we endorse a tow truck. 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. Since any 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.

Mercedes-Benz GLC 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 GLC. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can properly represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you advantageous knowledge about your vehicle and will still allow that important Check Engine Light to do what it is genuinely supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, evident and useful vehicle symptoms do not invariably 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:

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

This is why it is vital 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 rapidly by a skillful certified Mercedes-Benz mechanic. Call Mercedes-Benz of Draper at 3854255461 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 car further by not repairing the issue right away.

Is it safe to drive your Mercedes-Benz GLC with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is advised to service your Mercedes-Benz GLC immediately. 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 safe to drive. This is ordinarily 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 Mercedes-Benz of Draper by dialing 3854255461 so you can describe the issues. Or lessen your speed and bring your Mercedes-Benz to our certified mechanics as soon as potential.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most normally misunderstood lights or indicators in your Mercedes-Benz GLC is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the essential 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 car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do a wide range of things for your Mercedes-Benz GLC. Some of these essential duties include shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, ignition timing, and implementing cohesion control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a wide range of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as unpredictable as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your Mercedes-Benz GLC, contact Mercedes-Benz of Draper. Contact Mercedes-Benz of Draper today! Our Mercedes-Benz service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing.