Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van Check Engine Light

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most frequently misunderstood lights or indicators in your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the important 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 Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van. Some of these essential duties include shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, ignition timing, and implementing stability 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 perilous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van, contact Mercedes-Benz of Draper. Contact Mercedes-Benz of Draper today! Our Mercedes-Benz 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.

Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van 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 different regular causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other often regular reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty emissions control part, damaged oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty head gasket, or defective 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 entirely repair it as necessary 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 Spencer Cargo Van 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 speedy 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. Nonetheless, sadly that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what definitely 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 Very Qualified Service professional.

Check Engine Light Service Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van 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 precisely 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, peaceful breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is advised that you get your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van checked immediately. Ignoring that warning could end up causing extensive, huge damage to pricey engine components.

When your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van'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 typically 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 immediately 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 again a number of essentially 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 specifically correct issue and repair it.

Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van 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, again known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Spencer Cargo Van. 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 helpful knowledge about your vehicle and will again allow that important Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, clear and useful vehicle symptoms do not repeatedly accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are again hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is essential for someone who does not have a lot of predominant automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your vehicle further by not repairing the issue right away. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out quickly by a proficient certified Mercedes-Benz mechanic. Call Mercedes-Benz of Draper at 3854255461 today or schedule your check engine light service online today!

Is it safe to drive your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van 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 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 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 Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van instantly. Call the experts at Mercedes-Benz of Draper by dialing 3854255461 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your Mercedes-Benz to our certified mechanics as soon as imaginable.

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

Since every check engine code has its own level of severity, it is generally difficult to predict how many miles you can be secure in driving with the warning light on. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. If you check engine light is flashing, we advise that you pull over and contact Mercedes-Benz of Draper to assist determine if your vehicle is secure to drive in or if we advise a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.

Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van Check Engine Light

A flashing light signifies that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of instantly may result in extensive and meaningful damage to the car. If the check engine light in your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention instantly and your Mercedes-Benz should be brought in promptly. This blinking light normally indicates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can instantly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an expensive and extensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can precisely be the cause. A broken, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is always flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Mercedes-Benz of Draper instantly by calling 3854255461. If the problem is completely 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 pricey repair.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van will usually 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 instantly turn itself off. Also, if your catalytic converter is working correctly, 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 Spencer Cargo Van 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.

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

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Still, the check engine light could likewise be a warning of a significant 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 ordinarily means something less serious but a flashing check engine light reveals that your vehicle’s engine is in meaningful trouble and useful service is necessary promptly. If your check engine light is flashing in your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van, we extremely propose not to drive the car and schedule Mercedes-Benz service today. Below is a list of the most typical reasons your check engine light can come on:

• Your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van has a vacuum leak. Each Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system still helps lower unhealthy 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.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van is each vital. 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.
• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van if it’s not installed accurately. These aftermarket components and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even limit the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Spencer Cargo Van to Mercedes-Benz and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed properly 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 substantially from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van’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 normally caused by constantly neglected maintenance, which is why Mercedes-Benz of Draper offers a free multi-point check with each Mercedes-Benz service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van 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 common and frequent cause is that your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van gas cap is loose, broken or missing. The gas cap for your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van serves multiple purposes. It prevents hazardous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps manage pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you have a defective 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 pricey. If your check engine light turns on quickly after you put gas in your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van, 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.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are required for your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel combination in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. 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 endure a noticeable poor performance and reduced power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause clogged catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more pricey repairs.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van 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 Spencer Cargo Van is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden quick replace in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a vital sign of a defective mass airflow sensor.
• 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 promptly and your vehicle will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A defective sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause meaningful damage to your catalytic converter and your Mercedes-Benz Spencer Cargo Van's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the precisely correct combination of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A defective O2 sensor can still cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.

How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?

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