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Guide To Vehicle Diagnosis

Why is my check engine light on?

Modern vehicles have several computers on board that control all kinds of things like engine functions, transmission shifts, traction control, anti-lock brakes, stability control, emissions – and on some vehicles, even steering, braking and the throttle.

Think about that for a minute – things that used to be controlled by simple mechanical connections now have electronic controls that rely on computers, software and sensors. It’s no wonder that when something goes wrong with their sedan it can be pretty complicated for Des Moines drivers to track down the source of the problem.

To help your All Pro Servicenter service professional figure out what’s wrong, your sedan is equipped with on-board diagnostics. The Check Engine Light comes on to tell you there’s a problem and the engine management computer stores a trouble code. Your All Pro Servicenter tech connects a scan tool to your vehicle’s diagnostic port and retrieves the trouble codes as well as other important data.

Trouble codes are like clues for the Des Moines technician to follow as he diagnoses what’s wrong with your sedan. In a way, it’s like going to your Ankeny doctor with a problem. She’ll run some additional tests and gather the information she needs to make a diagnosis and form a treatment plan. How much a vehicle diagnosis costs at All Pro Servicenter depends on how much time it takes to sort out the symptoms and find the underlying problem.

Give us a call

All Pro Servicenter
515-964-0641
113 East 1st. Street
Ankeny, Iowa 50021