Lexus LX 600 Check Engine Light

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, Nalley Lexus Roswell offers totally complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help determine the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not properly 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 proper code reading and diagnosis.

Check Engine Light Service Lexus LX 600

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Lexus LX 600 and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Lexus owners, your heart sinks exceptionally because you may have exactly 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, peaceful 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 suggested that you get your Lexus LX 600 checked expeditiously. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major, far-reaching damage to pricey engine parts.

When your Lexus LX 600'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 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 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 Lexus auto repair mechanics at Nalley Lexus Roswell. There are still 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 absolutely correct issue and repair it.

Lexus LX 600 Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your Lexus LX 600 starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention promptly and your Lexus should be brought in immediately. A flashing light reveals that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of promptly may result in major and meaningful 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 promptly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an costly and extensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can explicitly be the cause. A damaged, 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 remarkably costly repair. If your check engine light is consistently flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Nalley Lexus Roswell rapidly by calling 7702848580.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most frequently misunderstood lights or indicators in your Lexus LX 600 is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the essential onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a wide range 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 car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do a wide range of things for your Lexus LX 600. Some of these essential duties include ignition timing, controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing cohesion control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean an assortment of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as dangerous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your Lexus LX 600, contact Nalley Lexus Roswell. 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 Roswell today!

Is it safe to drive your Lexus LX 600 with the check engine light on?

This question is not exceedingly 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 secure to drive. This is ordinarily 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 Lexus LX 600 promptly. Call the experts at Nalley Lexus Roswell by dialing 7702848580 so you can describe the issues. Or lessen your speed and bring your Lexus to our certified mechanics as in the near future as imaginable.

Lexus LX 600 Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, especially 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, still known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your LX 600. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can correctly represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you useful knowledge about your vehicle and will still allow that vital Check Engine Light to do what it is absolutely supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, obvious and useful vehicle symptoms do not regularly accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of imaginable OBD codes, there are still hundreds of imaginable reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is essential for someone who does not have a lot of prevailing automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue right away. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out quickly by a talented certified Lexus mechanic. Call Nalley Lexus Roswell at 7702848580 today or schedule your check engine light service online today!

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a Lexus LX 600?

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 likewise be a warning of a significant problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and expensive 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 reveals that your vehicle’s engine is in significant trouble and useful service is necessary promptly. If your check engine light is flashing in your Lexus LX 600, we very endorse not to drive the car and schedule Lexus service today. Below is a list of the most common reasons your check engine light can come on:

• One of the most common and frequent cause is that your Lexus LX 600 gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your Lexus LX 600 serves different purposes. It prevents hazardous 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 defective 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 pricey. If your check engine light turns on instantly after you put gas in your Lexus LX 600, 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 mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Lexus LX 600 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 Lexus LX 600 is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden rapid change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a crucial sign of a defective mass airflow sensor.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Lexus LX 600 is each vital. 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 genuinely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Lexus you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• Your Lexus LX 600 has a vacuum leak. Each Lexus LX 600 has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system again helps lower 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, particularly if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
• 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 promptly and your vehicle will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A defective sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause serious damage to your catalytic converter and your Lexus LX 600's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the specifically correct combination of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A defective O2 sensor can again cause a car to fail an emissions test.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your Lexus LX 600. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel combination in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. 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 experience 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 clogged catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more pricey repairs.
• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your Lexus LX 600 if it’s not installed correctly. These aftermarket components and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your LX 600 to Lexus and have our team of skilled certified mechanics guarantee that your aftermarket items were installed perfectly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, particularly aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM components first place might cost a little bit more but could help you save considerably from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Lexus LX 600’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 ordinarily caused by repeatedly neglected maintenance, which is why Nalley Lexus Roswell offers a complimentary multi-point check with each Lexus service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your Lexus LX 600 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.

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

If you check engine light is flashing, we recommend that you pull over and contact Nalley Lexus Roswell to help determine 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 generally difficult to predict how many 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.

Lexus LX 600 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 several common causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other generally common reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty head gasket, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged oxygen sensor, faulty emissions control part, dirty mass airflow sensor, 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 Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and absolutely repair it as required 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 completely fixed.

Every Lexus LX 600 was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its important systems. The rapid sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending essential 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. Nonetheless, unfortunately that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what absolutely is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Nalley Lexus Roswell provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Very Qualified Service professional.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your Lexus LX 600 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 rapidly turn itself off. Again, if your catalytic converter is working correctly, 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 LX 600 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 Roswell so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.