Check Engine Light
If your check engine light comes on or starts flashing, it's a good idea to bring it to our Atlanta area service department for an expert diagnosis. Our team of certified Audi technicians offer decades of experience and know-how and can get you back on the road as quickly as possible.
Audi Check Engine Light: Causes and Fixes
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most misunderstood lights or indicators in your Audi is the check engine light. The check engine light in simple terms helps with diagnostics to let you know your car is functioning properly. It can say "Check Engine" or it can be a symbol of an engine illuminated in a red or amber color to get your attention. To keep you safe, computers continuously monitor Audi vehicle performance.
When a check engine light comes on, it means something is not operating properly in your Audi while you drive around Peachtree City. Other common reasons for a Check Engine Light are a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty head gasket, faulty emissions control part, damaged oxygen sensor, dirty mass airflow sensor, or defective spark plugs to name a few. If your check engine light is on in your Audi, contact Audi South Atlanta. Our Audi service department can diagnose why your check engine light is on and repair it.
Will the check engine light on my Audi reset itself?
In the event that the problem or code that triggered the illumination of the check engine light on your Audi is resolved, the light will deactivate on its own. If your vehicle's check engine light came on because of a loose gas cap, for instance, and you tightened the cap, the light should go off on its own once the problem has been fixed. Similarly, even if your catalytic converter is working properly, if you did a lot of driving with a lot especially many short trips of starting and stopping, this could have caused the check engine light to come on because the converter was working so hard. The Audi light should turn off anywhere between 20 and 40 miles after you've driven it. If you drive more than that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring the vehicle in to Audi South Atlanta so that the light and the code can be double-checked for any issues.
Is it safe to drive my Audi with the check engine light on?
The answer is, it depends. Without knowing what is causing the check engine light to remain illuminated on your Audi, it is impossible to know how long you can drive your Audi, but, if the light is not flashing you should be ok to drive it for about 20 or 30 miles to get it to our service department for inspection. But don't ignore the light, even if your Audi is driving ok. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major damage to expensive engine components. A flashing light usually indicates a severe engine problem and is likely allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system (extremely bad for your Audi). This can raise the temperature of the catalytic converter causing irreparable harm and requiring an expensive repair.
Check engine lights and emissions in the Atlanta metro area
It's important to remember that if you live in the Atlanta area (Peachtree City, Palmetto, Newnan) you will have to have to get an emissions test to register your Audi after it is more than 2 years old. A check engine light on will result in an automatic fail on emissions. So if you are facing this, make sure to bring your Audi in well before your car needs to be registered. If this problem is more serious than usual, you'll want to have enough to time to get if fixed before you need to register it.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in my Audi?
If your vehicle's check engine light comes on, the problem might be as easy or very complex. It could be something minor like replacing or tightening the gas cap. But the check engine light could be a warning of a major problem that could result in significant damage to your engine and an expensive repair. The following is a list of the most common causes of the check engine light coming on in your vehicle:
- The battery is low.
- If the gas cap on your Audi is loose, damaged, or missing altogether, this could be one of the most recent and widespread causes. There are a few different things that can be done with the gas cap on your Audi. In addition to securing the fuel system and assisting in the upkeep of fuel tank pressure, it also helps to prevent the escape of exhaust fumes when the vehicle is not in motion. If your check engine light turns on immediately after you put gas in your Audi, you should check is to make positive the cap isn't loose - that would be an easy fix.
- Your Audi needs new Spark Plugs or Plug Wires. The spark plugs (though not an overly expensive item) make the engine run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause clogged catalytic converter or break to ignition coils and O2 sensors, dominant to more expensive repairs.
- The mass airflow sensor (MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Audi determines how much fuel is needed to run your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine.
- Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. This tool measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. Excess oxygen in your exhaust system, means the fuel burns faster and your fuel usage will be less efficient. This might not be cause for alarm, but more serious than a faulty sensor can break your catalytic converter, which would be very costly to repair.
- Your catalytic converter is damaged or has gone bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Audi 's exhaust system. The catalytic converter's job is to turn carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. A damaged catalytic converter is ordinarily caused by neglected maintenance, which is why we Audi South Atlanta offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Audi service.
- There's a vacuum leak in your Audi. Every Audi is equipped with a vacuum system that is capable of performing an extensive variety of tasks. By routing the fumes created when gasoline evaporates through the engine, the vacuum system also contributes to the reduction of harmful emissions. Vacuum hoses have a greater propensity to crack and dry out over time if they are subjected to significant amounts of heat or cold.
- You had aftermarket items installed on your Audi. We aren't saying that you can't install aftermarket items but be careful WHO is doing the installation. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or back-up item can have a disastrous effect on your Audi if it's not installed correctly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can deposit the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even impede the vehicle from starting.
Most Common Audi Check Engine Light Codes
Now that you know the causes an Audi's check engine light could come on in Atlanta traffic, let's look at the various codes. These are automotive computer codes stored by the ECM, also known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system). Though there could be any number of reasons the Check Engine Light comes on, here are the most common:
- Loose Gas Cap
- Battery needs replacing
- O2 Sensor needs replacing
- Bad Spark Plugs
- Emissions sensor / control needs to be fixed
- Transmission is failing
- Issues with the Catalytic Converter
- Computer output circuit issues (faulty data could cause the light to come on)
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The average estimate for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is $180. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not perfectly tightened to a more actual failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it convenient to get the convenient code reading and diagnosis.
Audi South Atlanta provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Highly Qualified Service professional.
What to Do If Your Audi Check Engine Light Comes On
If you're driving in the Atlanta, GA, area and your check engine light comes on and stays illuminated, you're usually okay to continue driving. This indicates that an issue is present, but the vehicle has determined that it is safe to proceed for the time being. You may experience a loss of power, rough idle, or other side effects depending on what the root cause of the check engine light is.
Your best course of action is to get to Audi South Atlanta as soon as possible and allow us to diagnose the issue. While it could be something as simple as a sensor failing or even a loose connection, serious damage could occur if you continue to drive with the check engine light illuminated for a long period of time.
What to Do If Your Audi Check Engine Light is Flashing
If the check engine light in your Audi car or SUV is flashing, it's probably a good idea to pull over and turn off the vehicle. It indicates that a serious problem has been detected, and damage will likely occur if you continue driving the vehicle. Common issues include but are not limited to:
- Faulty spark plugs or coil packs
- Cylinder misfire
- Turbocharger or supercharger malfunction
- Fueling system problems
Arranging for a tow or carefully driving your vehicle to Audi South Atlanta is critical if you notice a flashing check engine light in your Audi vehicle.
Schedule a Check Engine Light Service Appointment Today
If your Audi vehicle is experiencing a check engine light issue, schedule a service appointment today so we can get to the root of the problem and get you back on the road.
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Audi South Atlanta
4332 Jonesboro Road
Union City, GA 30291-0291
- Sales: 678-783-2834
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