We have invested in the very latest diagnostic equipment and our software is continualy updated 

  DIAGNOSTIC'S

 

There are many reasons why your engine check light has come on

We can quickly identify the fault buy plugging your vehicle into our computerised diagnostic equipment

 

Is your "Check Engine Light" on? An illuminated "Malfunction Indicator Lamp" (or MIL ) means a fault has been detected in the engine control system and one or more "diagnostic trouble codes" (DTCs) are stored in the engine's computer. Depending on the nature of the fault, the lamp may come on and go off, remain on continuously or flash. Some types of intermittent faults will make the lamp come on only while the fault is occurring. When the fault goes away, the lamp goes off. Other types of problems will turn the light on, and it will remain on until the fault is diagnosed and repaired.

The Check Engine lamp has proven to be a great annoyance to many motorists (as well as professional technicians) because it seems to have a mind of its own. For one thing, it doesn't tell you anything about the nature of the problem or what the trouble code might be. It could be something serious - or it might not. There is no way to know without performing a diagnostic test on the system. Consequently, you don't know if you should stop immediately or ignore the light and keep driving. If no other warning lights are on, and the engine seems to be running normally (no unusual noises, smells, vibrations, etc.), it is probably safe to assume the problem is minor and won't hinder your ability to continue driving. But sooner or later, you should have the cause of the light investigated.

Whenever the Check Engine light comes on, a "diagnostic trouble code" (DTC) or fault code is recorded in the control module memory. The trouble code has a number that corresponds to the type of fault. Some problems can generate more than one trouble code, and some vehicles may suffer from multiple problems that also set multiple trouble codes.

Re SETTING TROUBLE CODES
In most older vehicles (those made before 1996), disconnecting the computer power source or disconnecting a battery cable could erase fault codes -- at least temporarily until the trouble code resets and turns the check engine light back on. But on many newer vehicles, you do NOT want to disconnect the battery because doing so can wipe out the computer's memory settings as well as the trouble codes. This may affect the operation of the transmission, climate control system and other functions.

In most newer computer systems, fault codes are stored in a "nonvolatile" memory that is not lost if the battery is disconnected. The trouble codes remain intact until they are cleared using a scan tool.