CEL Service You Can Trust

The Check Engine Light is On. Is My Catalytic Converter Bad?

Since the mid-'90s, new cars sold in this country have been equipped with a universal coding system to help limit emissions and more easily identify the problems that can lead to pollution. If there's a related problem, your car's check engine light (CEL) will illuminate. If yours is on, you may be wondering if that means your catalytic converter is bad. Indeed, it can be a sign. However, you should bring your vehicle to Pit Stop in Venice (South Venice), Florida, for an accurate diagnosis before opting for expensive and potentially unnecessary repairs.

When you entrust your automobile to us for CEL issues, we'll connect it to our equipment to obtain the trouble code that has prompted the warning. Along with our experience, the code will enable us to identify the source of trouble. If that turns out to be the catalytic converter, it will be important that you address the underlying cause. Catalytic converters are not components that typically need to be replaced frequently. If yours is bad, chances are that another condition has contributed. For example, you could be habitually motoring only short distances. This driving pattern can mean that your automobile never gets hot enough to burn away everything in the catalytic converter, resulting in a clog. A bad oxygen sensor can wreak havoc, too. If the exhaust contains too much fuel, it can burn inside the component, causing excessive heat damage. If oil or coolant escapes and reaches the catalytic converter, it can produce thick soot which clogs the area. The best way to prevent many potential problems with the catalytic converter is through periodic tune-ups. Occasionally, the catalytic converter fails through means you can't foresee or prevent. If the unit is punctured by road debris that renders it nonfunctional, it will need to be replaced.

Whether the CEL culprit is the catalytic converter or another problem, rely on the ASE-certified technicians at Pit Stop for all your auto repair needs. We've been serving area drivers since 1997. As a family-owned and operated establishment, we take the time to know and care about each client we serve. Further, we cover our repair work with a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty.