'Check Engine' Indication Lamp goes ON
Check Engine' Indication Lamp which is also known as 'Malfunction Indicator Lamp' (MIL) is a safety device for the vehicle's user (driver) that something is not right under the hood. The only way to detect the fault and finally reset the fault is by using a diagnostic OBD2 scanner. All cars from 1996 onwards use the second generation OBD2 software system (On-Board Diagnostic II system). Today's cars are all controlled through a Power Control Module (PCM), also known as the electronic Engine Management System (EMS) - which is your engine's computer. Europeans refer to this as the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) - which is the same thing. So if an MIL light goes on you will have two options:
Poor vehicle acceleration
Rough engine idling
Higher than normal fuel consumptions
The most common and probable causes for these symptoms might be through oxygen sensors' codes (P0130 - P0167) or the EVAP code (P0445). These faults will probably result in an emissions test failure too, meaning that the vehicle is not road legal in its current state of tune. Some faults might result through a simple leaky gasket where the gasket breaks down from its sealing action, in turn flagging a fault code on the OBD system. These scanners have the capability of giving readings of un-reset fault codes in real time and enables the operator to locate the exact symptoms, thus avoiding going through the elimination process of any guess work like change this, change that and so on.
On-board Diagnostic System - OBD2
The On-Board Diagnostic System (OBD) records any engine trouble in its computer's memory when a fault is flagged up through the system parameters. This fault code number will be particular to a specific fault. The code does not necessarily tell you which component failed, or why, but it locates the section (circuit) the fault is in, therefore localizing the fault autel maxiscan ms609. This can be further analyzed and broken down till the faulty part appears. It also gives misfiring information, rich or lean instances on fuel which both have diverse bad effects on the engine's components - mainly the cylinder bores.
Plugging in a compatible diagnostic OBD2 scanner or reader into the vehicle's system will provide this type of data. Some basic code readers will only give you the code number which has flagged up, you then have to find the code meaning through a list while other more expensive and advanced scanners will give both the code number and the definition. The more advanced, but still within most people's reach can give much more information and user options like freezing fault display, resetting system back to O.E. parameters, internet vehicle software updates, upgrading of the diagnostic software and much more.
When searching for competitive market buying of such devices it is good to remember that while OBD2 (OBD II - as it is sometimes written) should be interchangeable from one vehicle to another because they are standard autel ds708 update. Unfortunately there are some vehicles which are not compatible or fully compatible with the system, so be sure to check and know your vehicle's compatibility information before you pay money.
