Ram 1500 TRX Check Engine Light

Check Engine Light Service Ram 1500 TRX

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Ram 1500 TRX 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 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 vehicle over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is advised that you get your Ram 1500 TRX checked quickly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing considerable, extensive damage to pricey engine parts.

When your Ram 1500 TRX'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 quickly 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 relatively 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 explicitly correct issue and repair it.

Is it safe to drive your Ram 1500 TRX 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 typically indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the vehicle, 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 Ram 1500 TRX promptly. 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 Ram to our certified mechanics as soon as potential.

Ram 1500 TRX 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 various typical causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other often typical reasons for a Check Engine Light are a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged oxygen sensor, damaged emissions control part, dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged head gasket, 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 Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and completely repair it as needed to restore factory specifications. When this hits, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Ram issue was completely fixed.

Every Ram 1500 TRX 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 fast sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending important 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, unfortunately that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what precisely 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 Remarkably Knowledgeable Service professional.

Ram 1500 TRX Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, exceptionally 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, again known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your 1500 TRX. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can properly represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you useful knowledge about your vehicle and will again allow that essential Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, apparent and helpful vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of potential OBD codes, there are again hundreds of potential reasons for the light, including:

• Ignition system faults
• Old Battery
• Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
• O2 Sensor
• Fuel and air metering systems problems
• Transmission issues
• Bad Spark Plugs
• Emissions controls issues
• Computer output circuit 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 instantly by a skillful certified Ram 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 Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver at 7207343858 today or schedule your check engine light service online today!

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your Ram 1500 TRX will usually 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. Likewise, 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 Ram 1500 TRX 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.

Ram 1500 TRX Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your Ram 1500 TRX starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention promptly and your Ram should be brought in quickly. A flashing light signifies that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of promptly may result in major and serious damage to the car. This blinking light usually reveals 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 costly and major repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can absolutely 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 expeditiously by calling 7207343858.

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. Since every check engine code has its own level of severity, it is typically 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 propose that you pull over and contact Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver to support determine if your car is safe to drive in or if we propose a tow truck.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most generally misunderstood lights or indicators in your Ram 1500 TRX is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the vital onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a variety 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 a variety of things for your Ram 1500 TRX. Some of these essential duties include controlling engine speed, ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing security 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 hazardous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your Ram 1500 TRX, contact Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver. Contact Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver today! Our Ram 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.

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

The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is ordinarily between $88 and $111. The good news, Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver offers completely free 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 accurately 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 appropriate code reading and diagnosis.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a Ram 1500 TRX?

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 an essential problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and pricey repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow usually means something less serious but a flashing check engine light signifies that your vehicle’s engine is in serious trouble and useful service is needed expeditiously. If your check engine light is flashing in your Ram 1500 TRX, we exceedingly recommend not to drive the vehicle and schedule Ram service today. Below is a list of the most typical 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 Ram 1500 TRX if it’s not installed perfectly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even impede the car from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your 1500 TRX to Ram and have our team of gifted certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, exceptionally aftermarket parts and accessories, or utilizing OEM parts 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.
• One of the most regular and frequent cause is that your Ram 1500 TRX gas cap is loose, broken or missing. The gas cap for your Ram 1500 TRX serves various purposes. It prevents unpredictable gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps cultivate pressure within the fuel tank. What results 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 expensive. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't costly. If your check engine light turns on expeditiously after you put gas in your Ram 1500 TRX, 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 Ram 1500 TRX has a vacuum leak. Each Ram 1500 TRX 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, exceptionally if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Ram 1500 TRX 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 absolutely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Ram you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Ram 1500 TRX 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 1500 TRX is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden speedy replace in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a critical sign of a broken mass airflow sensor.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Ram 1500 TRX’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 invariably neglected maintenance, which is why Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Ram FIAT Denver offers a complimentary multi-point check with each Ram service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your Ram 1500 TRX 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 perilous 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 expeditiously and your car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what results if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A broken sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause significant damage to your catalytic converter and your Ram 1500 TRX's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the exactly right mixture 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.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your Ram 1500 TRX. 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 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 costly repairs.