If your Volvo’s check engine light is flashing, pull over right away. Turn off the engine and call for a tow truck. A flashing check engine light means there is something seriously wrong with the engine. Continuing to drive your Volvo could damage the engine further. If the check engine light turns on and is steady, you can drive your Volvo to our shop. That is as long as you don’t notice any other strange things such as odd noises, smells, or vehicle behavior.
Computer and Sensors
Your Volvo is equipped with a computer and sensors. There are sensors in all of the systems to monitor the systems while the Volvo is running and in operation. These systems send a continual stream of data to the main computer so it knows everything is okay. We will talk more about the communication below.
The main computer is a chip that is called the engine control unit. You may also hear it referred to as the engine control module. The chip controls your Volvo. For example, it fires the spark plugs in the correct order to generate and maintain combustion. It also does things like adjust the air and fuel in the combustion chamber to make sure the Volvo’s engine is running efficiently. Think of your Volvo as a computer on wheels.
Communication
As we mentioned above, the system sensors communicate with the engine control unit. This constant communication keeps your Volvo running efficiently and reliably. If you have ever noticed that all of the dashboard warning lights turn on when you start the Volvo, this is an example of the communication between the sensors and the engine control unit.
When you first fire up your European automobile, the sensors check the systems to make sure everything is a-okay. Once the engine control unit gets the thumbs up for each system sensor, it will turn off the related dashboard warning light. This includes the check engine light which serves as a warning light for systems without their own lights.
Diagnostic Test
When there is an error in a system, the sensor picks up this air and reports it to the engine control unit. The error has a code that identifies the exact problem. If your Volvo’s check engine light comes on, we will run a diagnostic test to get the error code that was reported to the engine control unit by the system sensor. This tells us the exact problem.
As you can imagine, this makes diagnosing the reason why your Volvo’s check engine light came on quick and easy, which saves you money on your repair bill. Call us today to schedule an appointment if your Volvo’s check engine light is on.
