2012 RAM Cargo Check Engine Light

How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?

The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not correctly 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 proper code reading and diagnosis. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is typically between $88 and $111. The good news, Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver offers totally complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help determine the cause of your check engine light.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most generally misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2012 RAM Cargo is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the essential onboard diagnostics system, and displays in an assortment 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 vehicle. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance since the 80s and do an assortment of things for your 2012 RAM Cargo. Some of these essential duties include controlling engine speed, ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing cohesion control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a wide range 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 2012 RAM Cargo, contact Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver. Our RAM service department can support 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 Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver today!

2012 RAM Cargo 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 Cargo. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can accurately 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 absolutely supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, clear and useful vehicle symptoms do not regularly 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:

• O2 Sensor
• Old Battery
• Fuel and air metering systems problems
• Ignition system faults
• Emissions controls issues
• Bad Spark Plugs
• Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
• Computer output circuit issues
• Transmission issues

This is why it is vital for someone who does not have a lot of predominant automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue right away. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out immediately by a proficient certified RAM mechanic. Call Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver at 7207343858 today or schedule your check engine light service online today!

How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?

The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. Since every check engine code has its own level of severity, it is generally difficult to predict how many miles you can be secure in driving with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we endorse that you pull over and contact Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver to help determine if your vehicle is secure to drive in or if we endorse a tow truck.

Check Engine Light Service 2012 RAM Cargo

What do you do when you’re driving along in your RAM Cargo and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most RAM owners, your heart sinks exceptionally because you may have absolutely 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 vehicle over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is advised that you get your 2012 RAM Cargo checked quickly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing extensive, considerable damage to expensive engine parts.

When your 2012 RAM Cargo'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 usually 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 rapidly 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 RAM auto repair mechanics at Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver. There are again a number of essentially inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you select 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 exactly correct issue and repair it.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2012 RAM Cargo will ordinarily shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For instance, 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 perfectly, 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 2012 RAM Cargo 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 Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2012 RAM Cargo?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Still, the check engine light could likewise 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 ordinarily means something less serious but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in serious trouble and useful service is required instantly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2012 RAM Cargo, we very endorse not to drive the vehicle and schedule RAM service today. Below is a list of the most common reasons your check engine light can come on:

• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your 2012 RAM Cargo if it’s not installed accurately. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the car from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Cargo to RAM and have our team of accomplished certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, particularly aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a little bit more but could help you save substantially from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• One of the most typical and frequent cause is that your 2012 RAM Cargo gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2012 RAM Cargo serves numerous purposes. It prevents hazardous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps cultivate pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you have a broken 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 replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on instantly after you put gas in your 2012 RAM Cargo, 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.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your RAM Cargo is what determines how much fuel is needed 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 RAM Cargo is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden rapid change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a vital sign of a broken mass airflow sensor.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2012 RAM Cargo’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A damaged catalytic converter is usually caused by repeatedly neglected maintenance, which is why Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with each RAM service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2012 RAM Cargo will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your car may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause other dangerous problems from overheating.
• 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 rapidly and your car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A broken sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause meaningful damage to your catalytic converter and your 2012 RAM Cargo's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the specifically right combination of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A broken O2 sensor can again cause a car to fail an emissions test.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2012 RAM Cargo is each important. Without a car battery, your car won’t start, light up the road in front, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s car 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 RAM you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2012 RAM Cargo. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel combination 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 go through 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 expensive repairs.
• Your 2012 RAM Cargo has a vacuum leak. Each RAM Cargo 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.

2012 RAM Cargo Check Engine Light

A flashing light indicates that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of promptly may result in major and significant damage to the car. If the check engine light in your 2012 RAM Cargo starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention promptly and your RAM should be brought in expeditiously. This blinking light normally reveals a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can instantly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an costly and considerable repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can explicitly be the cause. A broken, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If the problem is completely 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 expensive repair. If your check engine light is always flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver immediately by calling 7207343858.

Is it safe to drive your 2012 RAM Cargo with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is recommended to service your RAM Cargo expeditiously. 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 typically 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. Call the experts at Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver by dialing 7207343858 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your 2012 RAM to our certified mechanics as soon as likely.

2012 RAM Cargo 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 regular causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other generally regular reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty emissions control part, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty head gasket, broken oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, or damaged spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the RAM Certified Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and entirely repair it as required to restore factory specifications. When this results, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your RAM issue was entirely fixed.

Every 2012 RAM Cargo was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its vital systems. The quick sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending vital 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. Yet, sadly that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what specifically is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Tremendously Qualified Service professional.