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Lexus IS 200t Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminates, 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, also respectable as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your IS 200t. There are hundreds of apparent codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling main diagnostics will give you practical knowledge about your car and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is truly supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, palpable and helpful car symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of feasible OBD codes, there are also hundreds of feasible reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is gigantic for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out quickly by a certified Lexus mechanic. Call Nalley Lexus Smyrna at 7706187908 at this moment or schedule your check engine light service online today! If the engine light comes on due to a unhealthy concern, you risk bad your car added by not repairing the issue right away.

Lexus IS 200t Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are frequent likely causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are innumerable instinctive causes including something as natural as a loose gas cap. Alternative instinctive reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, faulty emissions control part, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty head gasket, or defective spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Lexus Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as essential to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Lexus issue was fixed.

Every Lexus IS 200t was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its necessary systems. The sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending 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, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what exactly is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Nalley Lexus Smyrna provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Extremely Qualified Service professional.

Check Engine Light Service Lexus IS 200t

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Lexus IS 200t and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Lexus owners, your heart sinks a little because you have little 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 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 Lexus IS 200t checked as soon as conceivable. Ignoring that warning could end up causing dynamic damage to expensive engine components.

When your Lexus IS 200t's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t good, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is typically 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 identifies as the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is determine with an electronic diagnose tool that is used by our Lexus auto repair mechanics at Nalley Lexus Smyrna. There are also a number of comparatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you prefer that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced competent to determine the issue and repair it.

Is it safe to drive your Lexus IS 200t with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a dangerous issue and it is recommended to service your Lexus IS 200t at this moment. This question is not very prevalent 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 perilous problem. Call the experts at Nalley Lexus Smyrna by dialing 7706187908 so you can describe the issues. Or reduction in cost your speed and bring your Lexus to our certified mechanics as soon as handy.

Lexus IS 200t Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your Lexus IS 200t starts shining, that means that the problem needs immediate attention and your Lexus should be brought in urgently. A shining light indicates that the problem is strict and if not taken care of urgently may result in considerable damage to the vehicle. This blinking light usually implies a curious engine misfire allowing unused fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can suddenly increase the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where wear and tear is likely, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can absolutely be the cause. A bad, former or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If the problem is 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 twinkling, please contact our department of automotive experts at Nalley Lexus Smyrna immediately by calling 7706187908.

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

The central cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is typically between $88 and $111. The better news, Nalley Lexus Smyrna offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help pick the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not well tightened to a more relentless failure like a detrimental catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it better to get the charming code reading and diagnosis.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most continually misunderstood lights or indicators in your Lexus IS 200t is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few odd 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 Lexus IS 200t. Some of these include ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions 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 distinctive things. It can be as effortless as your gas cap being loose or as impressive as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your Lexus IS 200t, contact Nalley Lexus Smyrna. Our Lexus service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing. Contact Nalley Lexus Smyrna today!

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your Lexus IS 200t will usually 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 turn itself off. Likewise, if your catalytic converter is going functional, 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 Lexus IS 200t 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 Nalley Lexus Smyrna so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

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

It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. If you check engine light is glaring, we recommend that you pull over and contact Nalley Lexus Smyrna to aid mean if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we recommend a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is hard to predict how many miles you can drive with the warning light on.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a Lexus IS 200t?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as straightforward as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a powerful problem that could cause powerful damage to your engine and come with a important repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow naturally means something fewer powerful but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in powerful trouble and service is needed immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your Lexus IS 200t, we tremendously advise not to drive the vehicle and schedule Lexus service today. Below is a list of the most classic reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • Your Lexus IS 200t has a vacuum leak. Every Lexus IS 200t has a vacuum system that performs a extensive variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps lessen harmful 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, especially if they’re exposed to exciting heat or extreme chilly.
  • 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 faster and your vehicle will be less possible when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A faulty sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause damage to your catalytic converter and your Lexus IS 200t's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to choose the right range of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A bad O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your Lexus IS 200t. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel range in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run. 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 experience poor performance and reduced power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause clogged catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, essential to more expensive repairs.
  • One of the most accepted and frequent cause is that your Lexus IS 200t gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your Lexus IS 200t serves multiple purposes. It prevents gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps maintain pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you have a bad 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. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on immediately after you put gas in your Lexus IS 200t, original thing you should check is to make positive the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Lexus IS 200t is every difficult. Without a car battery, your car won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s car batteries last much longer than they did countless decades ago, and they don't definitely require maintenance. The value of a new one depends on the type of Lexus you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
  • Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Lexus IS 200t’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 neglected maintenance, which is why Nalley Lexus Smyrna offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Lexus service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your Lexus IS 200t 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 alternative problems from overheating.
  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Lexus IS 200t 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 genuine changes, like altitude. If your Lexus IS 200t is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a immediate change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
  • Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or alternative item can wreak havoc on your Lexus IS 200t if it’s not installed well. These aftermarket parts and accessories can ditch the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound accepted, bring your IS 200t to Lexus and have our unit of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed perfectly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts original place might value a little bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.