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2016 Toyota Highlander Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that small light on your vehicle’s dashboard swiftly 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 prevalent as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Highlander. There are hundreds of distinct codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a small patience, tackling essential diagnostics will give you cooperative knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is genuinely supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, indisputable and imperative vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are also hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is decisive for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. Call Nalley Toyota Union City at 7702848361 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out abruptly by a certified Toyota mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a rigorous concern, you risk damaging your car distinct by not repairing the issue right away.

Is it safe to drive your 2016 Toyota Highlander with the check engine light on?

This question is not exceptionally straightforward 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 dependable to drive. This is mostly 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 unhealthy problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a unhealthy issue and it is recommended to service your Toyota Highlander urgently. Call the consultants at Nalley Toyota Union City by dialing 7702848361 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce down your speed and deliver your 2016 Toyota to our certified mechanics as soon as conceivable.

2016 Toyota Highlander Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your 2016 Toyota Highlander starts glaring, that means that the problem needs immediate attention and your Toyota should be brought in expeditiously. A glaring light indicates that the problem is harsh and if not taken care of expeditiously may result in major damage to the vehicle. This blinking light usually indicates a draconian engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can quickly surge the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where break is conceivable, requiring an fancy repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can strictly be the cause. A damaging, classic 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 flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Nalley Toyota Union City urgently by calling 7702848361.

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

The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not properly tightened to a more stringent failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it palpable to get the fitting code reading and diagnosis. The central cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is commonly between $88 and $111. The palpable news, Nalley Toyota Union City offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to aid mean the cause of your check engine light.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2016 Toyota Highlander 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 2016 Toyota Highlander light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that payment and the light is still on, you will need to transport it in to Nalley Toyota Union City so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

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

The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. Since every check engine code has its own level of severity, it is troublesome to predict how other miles you can drive with the warning light on. If you check engine light is glaring, we recommend that you pull over and contact Nalley Toyota Union City to help determine if your vehicle is able to drive in or if we recommend a tow truck.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2016 Toyota Highlander?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as sane as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a hazardous problem that could cause hazardous damage to your engine and come with a considerable repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A dependable glow regularly means something less hazardous but a flashing check engine light implies that your vehicle’s engine is in hazardous trouble and service is decisive rapidly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2016 Toyota Highlander, we incredibly indicate not to drive the car and schedule Toyota service now. Below is a list of the most daily reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2016 Toyota Highlander. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture 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 harmful or long-established, 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, best to more expensive repairs.
  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Toyota Highlander is what determines how much fuel is needed to run your engine efficiently by measuring the payment of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to abundant changes, like altitude. If your Toyota Highlander is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a harmful mass airflow sensor.
  • Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, acknowledged as the O2 sensor, measures the payment of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be less mindful 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 2016 Toyota Highlander's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to designate the right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A harmful O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
  • One of the most feasible and bountiful cause is that your 2016 Toyota Highlander gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2016 Toyota Highlander 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 harmful fuel cap? If your gas cap is long-established 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 expeditiously after you put gas in your 2016 Toyota Highlander, first thing you should check is to make bold the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
  • Your 2016 Toyota Highlander has a vacuum leak. Every Toyota Highlander has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps cut damaging 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, chiefly if they’re exposed to extraordinary heat or extreme agreeable.
  • Your catalytic converter is harmful or going harmful. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2016 Toyota Highlander’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 mostly caused by neglected maintenance, which is why Nalley Toyota Union City offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Toyota service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2016 Toyota Highlander 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 extra problems from overheating.
  • Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or extra item can wreak havoc on your 2016 Toyota Highlander if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prohibit the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound commonplace, bring your Highlander to Toyota and have our company of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, chiefly aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a scant bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2016 Toyota Highlander is every exceptional. 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 a few decades ago, and they don't certainly require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Toyota you drive, but check our ongoing service coupons and specials.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most typically misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2016 Toyota Highlander is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in various diversified ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light flashes 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 2016 Toyota Highlander. Some of these include shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, controlling engine speed, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can endorse a variety of divergent things. It can be as real as your gas cap being loose or as risky as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2016 Toyota Highlander, contact Nalley Toyota Union City. Our Toyota service department can help you learn what code is turning your check engine light on or observe why your check engine light is flashing. Contact Nalley Toyota Union City today!

2016 Toyota Highlander Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are many ability causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are many common causes incorporating something as plain as a loose gas cap. Other common reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, faulty emissions control part, faulty head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, or defective spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Toyota 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 Toyota issue was fixed.

Every 2016 Toyota Highlander was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its draconian systems. The sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending data to the electronic control team. If the electronic control team 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 untrue nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Nalley Toyota Union City provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Hugely Qualified Service professional.

Check Engine Light Service 2016 Toyota Highlander

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Toyota Highlander and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Toyota owners, your heart sinks a tiny because you have tiny idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the estimate 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 2016 Toyota Highlander checked as soon as practical. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major damage to expensive engine components.

When your 2016 Toyota Highlander'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 continually 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 find out with an electronic scan tool that is used by our Toyota auto repair mechanics at Nalley Toyota Union City. There are also a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you designate that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced professional to embrace the issue and repair it.