# Check Engine Light **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 28, 2007, 12:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light/3774 "2007-08-28T00:55:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![letigrecc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@letigrecc](https://community.cartalk.com/u/letigrecc)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 12:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light/3774/1 "2007-08-28T00:55:07Z")
Hello, My husband recently purchased a 2004 Audi A4 Avant Wagon, and really love it…Until yesterday when the check engine light came on. I did notice that engine seems to jerk very briefly when idling on a couple of occasions. Does anyone have any suggestions on what might be wrong. Sorry if the info. is a little vague. I nor my husband are automotivley (?) inclined. ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light/3774/2 "2007-08-28T01:02:55Z")
The Check Engine Light means the computer has detected a problem, and set a trouble code. To have any idea what the problem is, the computer must be scanned for codes. The dealer can do this, but may charge a fee. Many auto parts stores will read the code for free. The code will at least point to the direction of the problem, if not identify the problem altogether. ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 2:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light/3774/3 "2007-08-28T02:04:16Z")
That’s sound advice. The only thing I wish to add is that once someone reads you the code(s), jot them down and report them here for further suggestions.