What could cause the check engine light to come on in a Hyundai Elantra HEV?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could still be a warning of a serious problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and costly repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow generally means something less serious but a flashing check engine light signifies that your vehicle’s engine is in serious trouble and helpful service is needed swiftly. If your check engine light is flashing in your Hyundai Elantra HEV, we exceptionally recommend not to drive the car and schedule Hyundai service today. Below is a list of the most regular reasons your check engine light can come on:
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Hyundai Elantra HEV is every important. Without a vehicle battery, your vehicle won’t start, light up the road in front, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s vehicle batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't genuinely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Hyundai you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are required for your Hyundai Elantra HEV. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your car. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run smooth. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are bad or old, you will undergo a conspicuous poor performance and decreased power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause obstructed catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more pricey repairs.
- Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Hyundai Elantra HEV is what determines how much fuel is required to run your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to certain changes, like altitude. If your Hyundai Elantra HEV is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden speedy change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a crucial sign of a faulty mass airflow sensor.
- Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Hyundai Elantra HEV’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A broken catalytic converter is frequently caused by constantly neglected maintenance, which is why Larry H. Miller Hyundai Albuquerque offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Hyundai service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your Hyundai Elantra HEV will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your vehicle may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause other perilous problems from overheating.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your Hyundai Elantra HEV if it’s not installed perfectly. These aftermarket components and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even limit the car from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Elantra HEV to Hyundai and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, particularly aftermarket parts and accessories, or utilizing OEM components first place might cost a little bit more but could support you save considerably from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
- Your Hyundai Elantra HEV has a vacuum leak. Every Hyundai Elantra HEV has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system again helps lower unhealthy emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine. If you notice that your RPM is high in idle or randomly surges, a vacuum leak could be the cause. Over time, vacuum hoses can dry out and crack, particularly if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
- Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns more swiftly and your car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don’t change your O2 sensor? A faulty sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause significant damage to your catalytic converter and your Hyundai Elantra HEV's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the precisely correct mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A faulty O2 sensor can again cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
- One of the most typical and frequent cause is that your Hyundai Elantra HEV gas cap is loose, broken or missing. The gas cap for your Hyundai Elantra HEV serves numerous purposes. It prevents perilous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps manage pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you have a faulty fuel cap? If your gas cap is old or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump and be more pricey. Luckily, to change a gas cap isn't pricey. If your check engine light turns on expeditiously after you put gas in your Hyundai Elantra HEV, first thing you should check is to make sure the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
Check Engine Light Service Hyundai Elantra HEV
What do you do when you’re driving along in your Hyundai Elantra HEV and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Hyundai owners, your heart sinks exceptionally because you may have precisely idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the cost of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep, tranquil breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is recommended that you get your Hyundai Elantra HEV checked quickly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing considerable, extensive damage to costly engine parts.
When your Hyundai Elantra HEV's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t correct, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is ordinarily labeled “check engine” or “service engine soon”, or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, or a picture of the engine with the word “check.”
When the light turns on, the ECM stores an engine code or “trouble code” in its memory that can immediately identify the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an electronic scan tool that is used by our Hyundai auto repair mechanics at Larry H. Miller Hyundai Albuquerque. There are again a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you choose that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced professional to determine the precisely correct issue and repair it.
How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
Since any check engine code has its own level of severity, it is ordinarily difficult to predict how multiple miles you can be safe in driving with the warning light on. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. If you check engine light is flashing, we advocate that you pull over and contact Larry H. Miller Hyundai Albuquerque to help determine if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we advocate a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your Hyundai Elantra HEV will normally shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will instantly turn itself off. Again, if your catalytic converter is working accurately, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, that may have turned on the check engine light due to the high usage of the converter. In most cases, your Hyundai Elantra HEV light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Larry H. Miller Hyundai Albuquerque so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most normally misunderstood lights or indicators in your Hyundai Elantra HEV is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the important onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a wide range of different ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light illuminates in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do a wide range of things for your Hyundai Elantra HEV. Some of these essential duties include shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, controlling engine speed, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a variety of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as unpredictable as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your Hyundai Elantra HEV, contact Larry H. Miller Hyundai Albuquerque. Our Hyundai service department can assist you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing. Contact Larry H. Miller Hyundai Albuquerque today!
Hyundai Elantra HEV Check Engine Light
A flashing light indicates that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of instantly may result in significant and serious damage to the car. If the check engine light in your Hyundai Elantra HEV starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention instantly and your Hyundai should be brought in immediately. This blinking light normally indicates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can swiftly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an expensive and huge repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can precisely be the cause. A broken, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is regularly flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Larry H. Miller Hyundai Albuquerque quickly by calling 5753057120. If the problem is totally ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a very pricey repair.
Hyundai Elantra HEV Check Engine Light Codes
The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, especially to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminate, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear right away. If you hear the term, diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), these are just another name for check engine light codes. These are automotive computer codes stored by the ECM, likewise known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Elantra HEV. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can correctly represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you advantageous knowledge about your vehicle and will likewise allow that important Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, apparent and useful vehicle symptoms do not invariably accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are likewise hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:
- Old Battery
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- Emissions controls issues
- O2 Sensor
- Computer output circuit issues
- Bad Spark Plugs
- Ignition system faults
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Transmission issues
This is why it is vital for someone who does not have a lot of prevalent automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out immediately by a proficient certified Hyundai mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue right away. Call Larry H. Miller Hyundai Albuquerque at 5753057120 today or schedule your check engine light service online today!
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is generally between $88 and $111. The good news, Larry H. Miller Hyundai Albuquerque offers entirely complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to support determine the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not properly tightened to a more serious failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it good to get the correct code reading and diagnosis.
Is it safe to drive your Hyundai Elantra HEV with the check engine light on?
This question is not very simple because it all depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be safe to drive. This is usually indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the car, it could be an indication of a more serious problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is advised to service your Hyundai Elantra HEV rapidly. Call the experts at Larry H. Miller Hyundai Albuquerque by dialing 5753057120 so you can describe the issues. Or lessen your speed and bring your Hyundai to our certified mechanics as soon as likely.
Hyundai Elantra HEV Check Engine Light Flashing
Although there are countless potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are different typical causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other usually typical reasons for a Check Engine Light are dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty emissions control part, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty head gasket, broken oxygen sensor, or faulty spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Hyundai Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and utterly repair it as required to restore factory specifications. When this occurs, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Hyundai issue was totally fixed.
Every Hyundai Elantra HEV was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its crucial systems. The rapid sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending essential data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. However, unfortunately that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what absolutely is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Larry H. Miller Hyundai Albuquerque provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Immensely Certified Service professional.
