Bradley’s Auto Service in Red Bank, NJ can perform fast, reliable auto diagnostics on your vehicle. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
Is your check engine light on? Is your car making an unusual sound it’s never made before? Are you feeling every little dip in the road more than you have before? If your car is behaving in a way that seems odd, it is a good idea to bring it in for auto diagnostics, and the team at Bradley’s Auto is experienced at finding and correcting all kinds of common and uncommon problems. If something seems like an engine problem, it could be caused by something else entirely. We’ll perform a comprehensive search to pinpoint the problem and can perform any repairs or replacements as necessary.
Auto Diagnostics & Repair Services
Once the team at Bradley’s Auto has performed a thorough diagnostics search, we will likely recommend further service to fix the problem. Some of the services we provide include:
- Oil change & service – We can quickly and easily test to see if your oil needs to be replaced.
- Exhaust repair – We are also fully licensed by the Motor Vehicle Commission to repair emissions failure. At Bradley’s Auto Service, we also build completely custom exhaust systems for our clients.
- Car AC repair – Our team can diagnose your air conditioning issues and perform the proper car AC repair to get your system back in full working order.
- Car heating repair – Our team can diagnose your heating issues and perform the proper car heating repair to get your system back in full working order.
- Wheel alignment – Correct wheel alignment is critical for safely controlling your vehicle and also plays a part in extending the life of your brakes and tires.
- Brake service – We provide quality, comprehensive brake services for our customers.
- Emissions repair – We are legally certified to handle emissions inspection and repairs on site with our team of experienced mechanics.
- Suspension repair – Bradley’s Auto offers professional suspension repair and maintenance services.
Why is the Check Engine Light On?
When you notice your check engine light has come on, it can cause a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. It could be something minor, like a faulty gas cap, which will not cause any major issues. However, it could also be a serious problem such as a misfiring engine. The check engine light is a signal from the car’s engine computer that something is wrong. The problem is that the check engine light doesn’t actually let you know what the problem is, which means most vehicle owners will need to visit an auto shop for auto diagnostics in order to pinpoint where the issue is coming from.
If you see the check engine light come on, don’t ignore it. It is important to address problems indicated by the light promptly. Ignoring them could lead to larger, costlier problems later.
Common Reasons the Check Engine Light Will Come On
While there are many different reasons that your check engine light could turn on, there are several frequent problems that might be the culprit, such as:
Gas Cap is Loose, Missing, or Damaged
This is a pretty easy thing to look for if your check engine light has turned on. Your car will run fine with a gas cap problem but it can allow gasoline to leak from your gas tank. Depending on the specific gas cap issue, these leaks can be relatively small or rather large. There are also other issues that can be found in your gas tank recirculation system so even if you don’t see a problem with the gas cap, there might be another underlying issue. Ignoring these problems will cause increased gas evaporation which means you’ll need to fill up more regularly. It is in your financial interest to fix these issues as soon as they appear.
Failing Oxygen Sensors
The oxygen sensor in your car measures the unburned oxygen in the exhaust system. The area that houses the oxygen sensor can get to 800 degrees or more which puts a lot of stress on the system. They commonly need to be worked on or replaced. Sometimes the engine code is identifying a problem but does not necessarily mean the oxygen sensors need to be replaced. If you ignore problems with your oxygen sensor, your engine will burn more fuel than necessary and you will lose fuel economy. A faulty oxygen sensor also has the potential to damage your vehicle’s spark plugs or catalytic converter.
Catalytic Converter Failure
Your vehicle’s catalytic converter is a crucial component of the exhaust system that turns carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. It is a very simple but important part of any vehicle and one that you should keep an eye on as failures can easily be avoided. A new catalytic converter can run you several hundred dollars so it’s best to keep your current one in good condition than have to replace it. Regular maintenance such as oil changes and emissions repair is the best time to also make sure your catalytic converter is in working order.
Ignition Misfires
In general this is going to be an obvious problem even without the help of the check engine light. Your vehicle’s ignition system includes the spark plugs, coil packs, and everything else needed to ignite the air/fuel mixture inside the engine. If you are experiencing frequent misfires when attempting to start your vehicle, there is almost certainly an issue with one of these parts that needs to be addressed.
In addition to those listed above, additional reasons your check engine light might turn on include the need to:
- Replace evaporative emissions purge control valve
- Replace mass airflow sensor
- Replace evaporative emissions purge solenoid
- Replace fuel injector(s)
- Replace thermostat
Bradley’s Auto Provides Comprehensive Auto Diagnostics in Red Bank, NJ
If you notice any issues with your vehicle, don’t wait for it to get worse. Call or contact Bradley’s Auto Service in Red Bank, New Jersey today to schedule an auto diagnostics check. Our ASE certified mechanics have built a reputation for providing honest, professional auto services. We have experience with all makes and models.
