Common Causes Of a CEL

That’s a great article, should be very helpful to car owners w/that annoying dash light staring at them. A couple of additions if you will …

  • If CEL is on, but also flashing, that’s a sign of impending doom, serious engine damage possible, and engine should be shut off immediately and car towed to shop pronto. As long that can be done safely. (As Texas says above.)

  • Don’t make the common mistake of thinking a diagnostic code referencing some part of the car means the first thing to do is replace that part. Most often the problem isn’t actually that particular part is faulty. That part is most likely perfectly ok as is. Replacing it will only introduce another variable into an already complicated diagnosis. Instead the code should be used as a clue for the shop to determine what’s actually wrong.