Sponsored - In my last blog, I briefly explained what a check engine light is and what codes are. Now I would like to explain the diagnosis process it takes to correct the check engine light. Since the process can be technical, I plan to use something that most all of us can relate to...going to the doctor.

If you go to the doctor, that can be compared to your check engine light coming on. When the doctor asks you what is wrong, that is like technicians using a scan tool to retrieve a code. If you use a cheap code reader, it will tell you my finger hurts on my left hand. If you use a scan tool it will tell you that your index finger on your left-hand hurts.

At this point, if you took it to a parts house, they would have said, "the most common repair is a band-aid," since cuts are quite common. Can you fix your finger with a band-aid? Maybe. But if it is not cut then no. All you did at this point was to waste your money buying a band-aid, depending on the failure.

If you took your car to a technician, he would diagnose what is wrong and correct that issue. The first step would be looking at your finger to see if it is cut. If so, a band-aid will fix it. If it is not cut and not in the wrong position, then he must take an x-ray. If he does not see broken bones, then he must take an MRI to check tendons and ligaments. If no problem was found, he must check the nerves (wires) to your brain (computer).

Now he must make sure all other components, nerves, finger, blood flow, etc., are all correct. Once he determines that all other parts are good, then he will look at your brain. (computer) to see if it is broken. You could have a problem in your elbow where you fell last week. Now that "funny bone" nerve was pinched. The problem for a simple finger pain can be overly complicated to fix.

So, as we all know, going to the doctor can be simple or a lengthy process. If you decide to go to a parts store, you may or may not correct your problem, it just depends on the problem you have. The diagnosis could take anywhere from 15 minutes to 8 hours or more. It may take one test or more tests to diagnose your vehicle and provide a viable solution. Look for next month's blog where I talk about the same symptom but different problems. We're here to help at White's Automotive in Columbus, GA. Call us at (706) 323-1060 or visit our website at https://whitesautomotive.com/.