Automotive Diagnostic OBD2 Scanner

Engine is overheating symbol. STOP driving immediately — turn the engine Off, as soon as this warning light goes On. If you risk driving with an overheated engine severe damage can be caused such as: a blown head gasket | cracked or warped cylinder head.
Allow the engine to cool down for several hours before you attempt any further diagnosis. A hot engine can be very dangerous because of steam pressure inside the radiator and coolant reservoir. Do NOT attempt to add coolant until the engine has cooled down and the radiator cap or reservoir cap can be safely opened. Overheating can be caused by a low coolant level (check the radiator, water pump, and hoses for leaks), coolant leaks inside the engine (leaky head gasket or cracks in the head or block), a stuck thermostat, or a cooling fan that isn’t working (bad fan clutch, fan motor, or fan relay).

Causes:
Lack of coolant or blocked coolant system.
Low oil pressure or loss of oil pressure. May be due to low oil level in the crankcase, a worn or damaged oil pump, or worn engine bearings.

Oil pressure is dangerously low. STOP driving immediately — turn the engine Off, as soon as this warning light goes On. Rapid failure of bearings and camshaft in your engine will occur if the engine remains running.

Check the oil level before restarting the engine. If low, check the engine for leaky gaskets and seals, or a loose oil filter. If no leaks are seen, the engine may be burning oil through worn valve guides, rings, and/or cylinders. Add oil to bring the level back to full on dipstick. Start engine and check if the light goes Off. If the light does switch Off and the engine is making a ticking, or rattling, or clicking noise it may not be getting normal oil pressure. It may also mean severe wear on engine. An engine overhaul or new engine is the only cure.

Causes:
Worn or damaged oil pump.
Worn engine bearings. Older high mileage vehicles when oil warning light flickers means overhaul is due (engine wear).

Charging system is not holding its normal voltage or current. STOP engine and check alternator belt for any visible damage or excessive play (loose). Restart engine and check voltage output across battery terminals. Reading should be in the region of 13.5 to 14.5 volts. Anything between the region of 12.6 volts suggests alternator is not giving out sufficient charge.

Note: If belt is found faulty on single serpentine belt drives, vehicle should not be driven far with this symptom as there is risk of overheating the engine.

Causes:
Faulty alternator.
Slipping and / or worn belt drive.

Causes:
Faulty ABS pump and / or ABS valves in pump.
ABS electrical connection.

This symbol often means there is a lack of hydraulic fluid in the system. Stop and check brake reservoir for hydraulic level. Check for any visible wet patches of hydraulic under each wheel and master cylinder. If any leak is found you should NOT drive the vehicle in this condition.

Causes:
Brake linings are at a very low minimum causing more hydraulic fluid volume in calipers. This will lower the level in the reservoir and triggers the safety switch.
Hydraulic loss — leaks through seals of master cylinder, flexible pipes or caliper seals.

OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics) ‘Check Engine’ Light comes On whenever a fault is flagged up through the PCM (Powertrain Control Module). If fault is persistent (continuous) it will remain On . If fault is intermittent and does not reoccur after three consecutive trips, the ‘Check Engine’ light goes Off — but the code will remain in memory. The fault code is erased from memory if it doesn’t occur again in another 40 trips.

The only safe way to clear any fault codes and rest the ‘Check Engine’ light is by using a diagnostic OBD2 scanner or OBD2 reader.

On older OBD1 systems, disconnecting the battery or removing the PCM fuse can clear the memory and turn the Check Engine Light off. This is not advisable unless the cause for the light ’s trigger is found and fixed. If the problem isn’t fixed the Check Engine Light would eventually light up again. This procedure should NOT be used on OBD II systems because removing the PCM fuse or disconnecting the battery will NOT clear the codes but can cause loss of important data. The ONLY approach should be by using a diagnostic OBD2 scanner, repairing the fault and lastly resetting the light. All fault codes should be cleared with caution. If possible, a printout of the faults should be taken before resetting.

Causes:
Any emissions fault.
Any bad sensors or false readings (see What to do when warning light Check Engine switches On).