Did you notice the check engine light on your vehicle dash? Probably, you don’t know what it means. Hyundai is developed with high-grade technologies and sensors fixed in different parts of the vehicle.
The sensors are charged to monitor the operations of these components and to report to the OBD any errors. When these sensors identify an error and the OBD can’t fix it, it triggers an illuminating light on the dash.
The light can come in amber, red, or yellow. The light can also illuminate meaning the problem is not severe. In contrast, a flashing check engine light means the problem needs urgent attention. Some components that can trigger the check engine light include a damaged catalytic converter, defective spark plugs, oil change, and lots more.
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How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
You can drive your vehicle for a few more miles if the check engine light illuminates only. But if it is flashing, you shouldn’t drive your vehicle but pull over by the side of the road. A flashing check engine light means a severe problem with your vehicle. It will be safer to call a towing agent to tow your vehicle to a mechanic.
Hyundai Check Engine Light Codes
When the vehicle sensors identify a problem that the OBD can’t fix, it sends this error as a code to the OBD. The codes are also called diagnostics trouble codes. They’re scanned with a code scanner to identify the cause of the problem.
For some reason, when the below components develop a fault, the sensors will send a code to the OBD.
- Transmission issues
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Ignition system faults
- O2 Sensor
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- Drained or Old Battery
- Bad of Old Spark Plugs
- Problem with the emissions control.
- Problem with the computer output circuit.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
Hyundai check engine light is an integral part of your vehicle‘s onboard diagnostics system. The check engine light is only triggered when the OBD is confronted with an issue it can’t handle. It will either send a flashing or illuminating light to the dash. Sometimes, the signal can come as a sign of a vehicle engine, or say “Check Engine”.
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Check engine light is a serious mechanical challenge and needs urgent attention. Or it can also be a minor challenge like a loose gas cap.
Hyundai Check Engine Light Flashing
If your Hyundai check engine light is flashing, be informed that the reason behind it is crucial. Don’t drive your vehicle when the check engine light is flashing as it can result in an engine knock.
What causes the check engine light to come on in a Hyundai?
There are many reasons as said earlier why your vehicle can trigger the check engine light. Some of them are as follows:
New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires: When your Hyundai spark plug wires are loose or faulty. It will impact negatively your car’s performance. When the spark plug wires can’t deliver a spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs, it will trigger the check engine light.
Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad: When the catalytic converter has become defective, it can cause the check engine light to appear. A failed or defective catalytic converter will make your car not pass an emissions test.
There is a vacuum leak: When your car experiences a vacuum leak, it can also trigger the check engine light. You can identify a vacuum leak if you notice that the RPM is high in idle or random surges. The vacuum gets old and develops cracks due to usage.
Installation problems with aftermarket items: An aftermarket item like an exhaust or an alarm can be the reason the check engine light is illuminating. An aftermarket item will cause havoc in your vehicle when they’re wrongly installed. They can drain the battery and also prevent the vehicle from starting.
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The Oxygen Sensor (O2 Sensor) is lousy: The oxygen sensor sends data to the OBD on the amount of air and fuel that’s entering the engine cylinders. When the O2 sensor is defective, it will affect the catalytic converter and also your miles per gallon.
Loose or damaged gas cap: If your Hyundai gas cap is loose or missing, it will be difficult to regulate the tank fuel pressure. It will also lead to loss of fuel through evaporation. When the sensor signals a problem with the fuel cap, it will trigger the check engine light.
Defective mass airflow sensor (MAF): You might be seeing the check engine light because of a damaged mass airflow sensor. Your MAF is defective if your vehicle is having trouble starting or idling rough. If you experience a sudden change in the position of the throttle pedal, it is a sign of lousy MAF.
Battery drains faster or is dead: When your battery starts getting old or dead, it can trigger the check engine light. You should inspect the battery terminals to ensure that there is no corrosion at the heads.
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Is it safe to drive your Hyundai with the check engine light on?
You can drive your vehicle a couple of miles if the check engine light is illuminating. But if the light is flashing, it indicates a critical problem with your car. In such a scenario, it‘s not advisable to drive your vehicle.
Check Engine Light Service Hyundai
Hyundai is equipped with an Electronic Control Module (ECM). The ECM is the vehicle‘s onboard computer that is charged with identifying errors in the electronic control system. When it finds a problem that it can’t correct, it will trigger the check engine light. The light can come in amber or yellow light with an annotation of “Check Engine.”
When the check engine light is triggered, a trouble code is stored in the ECM. This code can be decoded with an electronic code scanner to identify the cause of the check engine light.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light should reset itself after the problems have been addressed. Sometimes, the light will fail to go off, which means you will reset the light manually. Note that this is a temporary fix, unless the main issue has been resolved, the light will come up again.
Also, the light can go off after you have driven for about 20 – 40 miles. If you have driven more than these miles and the light is still ON, take your car to a mechanic.
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
Diagnosing and fixing a Hyundai check engine light can cost about $88 to $111.