If you drive long enough with a flashing check engine light, what can happen?
The flashing CEL is indicative of a severe condition.In particular it can mean the introduction of unburned fuel into the exhaust stream ...which can lead to catastrophic failure of the catalytic converter (the word *BOOM* comes to mind).I suppose it never occurred to you to look in the owners manual to see what, specifically, the flashing CEL means with regard to your vehicle.In most cases it means quit driving the car, there is something seriously wrong that can cause serious problems and you need to get the car looked at ASAP.Or, you can be the poster person for the "Ignorance Is Bliss" society and keep driving your car ...until it's not ...."bliss" that is.
Is it normal for dashboard lights to be on when ignition is off?
On some cars the lights stay on for like 30 seconds after the ignition is off. But if they are on all the time even when the light switch is fully off, something is wrong, that is NOT normal.That happens sometimes due to somebody wiring some accessory to the nearest hot wire, which might be the dash lights wire. That’s fine unless there is another source of power to the device, and that feeds back up the dash lights wire.The old Audi’s had this bug— if you held the high-beams flash switch, that would feed power back into the accessory circuit, even when the key was out. They considered that a “feature” not a “bug”, as it let you close the sunroof without the key.Anyway, if someone has done some wiring lately, that’s probably the problem. Has someone added a security system, a radio, an amplifier, or something else electrical? That’s probably it.If nothing has been messed with lately, then it’s likely that there is a short in the module that controls the lights. In the olden days the lights had a regular plain old switch, those very rarely failed. Today they use transistors to do the switching and they do sometimes fail, usually shorting out. They can be helped along toward shorting out if someone accidentally shorts out the cigar-lighter power outlet, with like a bad charger cord.
Why does my check engine light come on after getting gas?
As many have mentioned, it's not simple to answer without more information. There are a number of emmisions fault codes that can occur when fueling for a variety of reasons. Heres a few-Various leak codes. The fuel tank isn't just a can with a pipe in from the filler neck and a pipe out to the fuel line to the motor. There is also also ventilation system that corrects for tank pressure changes allowing air to enter when needed while keeping fuel vapor from escaping, and can pull that fuel vapor into the intake system of the engine.The most common leak issue is a loose or misplaced filler cap that causes a major leak code. Next is a failed seal on the fuel filler cap causing a minor lack code. After that you have the charcoal canister shutoff valve sticking open due to a mechanical failure or due to debris from the charcoal canister caused by impact, consistent over filling, or age. Next would be the purge valve sticking open or closed. Finally hard system leaks such as a cracked hose or seal at the level sensor assembly.Overfilling can affect the charcoal canister by degrading the charcoal filter and causing the valve to stick. This system was only designed for vapor and not liquid fuel.As the fuel tank is semi flexible, the weight of the fuel will normally distort the tank and allow for some leaks due to dried or failed seals to be fuel level dependent.Finally there are the weird ones… found a low-jack transmitter installation gone awry. The installer screwed the mount through the floor under the seat into the fuel tank. Once he realized fuel was leaking on the ground he pulled the screw out, out some sealant on it and screwed it back in the hole. The customer only got a minor leak code when they had a full tank and the weight pulled the tank down off the screw.Found couple plastic tanks cracked at a seam. Also found issues due to distortion and swelling of the plastic tank from E85 and MTBE. There were a few metal tanks with braised hose junctions that separated. One tank actually collapsed and crushed due to a stuck shutoff valve and a bad sensor.Good luck.
What could be the cause of a car’s temperature gauge to fluctuate?
There are several possibilities.1) faulty teperature gauge. In this case the gauage will have to be replaced. This is relarively simple and inexpensive depinding on the make and model of the car.2) Issue with the radiator, coolant of the car. This could be caused due to insufficient coolant, leakage of coolant, damage to the radiator of the car. This will require extensive repair. In this case, it is advised to get the issue diagnosed and fixed at the earliest to avoid engine damage due to over heating.Hope this helps. :)
Can a clogged catalytic converter unclog itself?
Well, it can happen that they will de-clog on their own, but usually need a helping hand. If it is utterly blocked, then dismantling and manually cleaning is the only solution.If the ceramic material inside is melted, then change it.Most modern Cats are stuffed with a ceramic honeycomb structure, unlike the older ones that had complex filters with platinum wool amongst other stuff inside them.One of the reasons they get clogged is people lugging around in fifth gear making lots of soot which clogs the honeycomb.A faulty EGR valve (gas recirculation) will do the trick as well.Faulty injection, allowing to much fuel to come through the exhaust can cause the honeycomb to melt when it starts burning the fuel... (replacement)But you can clear a blocked (not 100% blocked) converter by getting it hot enough to make it finish what it is supposed to do.The garages here in France have a naughty technique, they hoist the car up on lift with the motor going flat out, and stand underneath it holding a fire extuinguisher, just in case it sets fire to the car, or any flames from the now burning soot comes blasting out of the rear.It is a dangerous technique in my opinion, and not good for the engine, but it works. I don't suppose it works everytime either.So if you have a CAT that is partially blocked because you mooch around in fifth gear or have bad driving habits, you could try driving the vehicle hard enough to heat the CAT as it should be, where usually it can clear itself.So , if it is soot build up, there is hope for you, to unclog it without taking it off the vehicle and or changing it, if it is hard blocked with mineral deposits, unlikely. If it is melted, its got to be changed.
What are some things to replace when a car hesitates at low rpms?
First off figure out and diagnose why its doing that, or else you wont have a clue what it is or else youre going to just be throwing parts at it and money down the drain by just simply guessing. From my experience its not one cut and dry answer It could be lots of things. Most likely if it has a carburetor the carburetor needs an adjustment, or spark plugs are old and worn out, air filter is possibly worn out and clogged with debris so its restricting the airflow. Oxygen sensor is a possibility. Or it could be a fuel filter/injector clogged/ fuel pump blocking proper fuel flow. The catalytic converter or exhaust could be clogged up with carbon deposits, but i doubt that. Lastly if its really high mileage like 200,000–400,000 miles and it could just simply be old and worn out and the piston rings arent sealing very well, so its low on compression which will make most engines low on power but thats pretty unlikely especially if youve taken good care of it, done oil changes on time and its maintained. All these items are consumables, they are regular car maintenance repairs. Its amazing how much better a car will run when you replace all those things and wear out over time. Take it to a reputable ase certified mechanic or if the car is under warranty go to the dealer. Or if you got a buddy thats good with cars take it to him. The good news is its usually something simple, and all those things arent hard to fix unless its the fuel filter/fuel pump. tell me how it goes. Good luck dude!
What can happen to your vehicle when your brake fluid is too low?
Hey Sharon,When your brake fluid is too low you may be in trouble because your car won’t slow down or stop as well as before. You see brake fluid is kind of like a “steel rod” connecting your foot to the brakes. I say steel because brake fluid doesn’t compress so when you press on it it moves just like it is a solid.Brake fluid is incompressible and used to transmit your foot pressure on the brake pedal through the master cylinder to the brake calipers in order to press the pads against the discs. Your foot pressure is multiplied by the mechanical advantage from the pedal (ratio) and the hydraulic ratio of the master cylinders, power booster and caliper pistons (where the brake pads live).Image: BrakesHow does brake fluid get low?It canBrake system uses more fluid volume as pads wearFluid boils, getting bubbles in the line.Lines, master cylinder, or calipers leakSince you said too low, if your brakes are working okay add the DOT brake fluid your manufacturer recommends and take your car to a brake shop to have them checked. A little low is maintenance, too low is not and needs some professional TLC.Regards and take care.