2012 Ford Mustang Check Engine Light

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most frequently misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2012 Ford Mustang is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few clear 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 car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do a variety of things for your 2012 Ford Mustang. 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 mean a variety of distinct things. It can be as prevailing as your gas cap being loose or as risky as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2012 Ford Mustang, contact David McDavid Ford. Our Ford service department can aid you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing. Contact David McDavid Ford today!

2012 Ford Mustang Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard instantly illuminates, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear proper 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 accepted as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Mustang. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling instinctive diagnostics will give you practical knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is genuinely supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, discernible and practical vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of attainable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of attainable reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is intelligent for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. If the engine light comes on due to a critical concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue good away. Call David McDavid Ford at 8174207990 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out expeditiously by a certified Ford mechanic.

2012 Ford Mustang Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are countless achievable causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are assorted admitted causes including something as pure as a loose gas cap. Extra admitted reasons for a Check Engine Light are dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty emissions control part, faulty head gasket, or defective spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Ford Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as basic to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Ford issue was fixed.

Every 2012 Ford Mustang was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its hard systems. The sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending data to the electrical control unit. If the electrical control unit 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 totally is inaccurate nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; David McDavid Ford provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Tremendously Qualified Service professional.

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

Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is hard to predict how many miles you can drive with the warning light on. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. If you check engine light is flashing, we recommend that you pull over and contact David McDavid Ford to help determine if your vehicle is reliable to drive in or if we recommend a tow truck. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replenished.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2012 Ford Mustang 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 efficient, and you did various 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 2012 Ford Mustang 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 David McDavid Ford so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2012 Ford Mustang?

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 also be a warning of a strict problem that could cause strict damage to your engine and come with a gigantic repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A persistent glow consistently means something less strict but a flashing check engine light implies that your vehicle’s engine is in strict trouble and service is imperative immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2012 Ford Mustang, we very advocate not to drive the vehicle and schedule Ford service today. Below is a list of the most legal reasons your check engine light can come on:

• Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the reward of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be less direct 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 2012 Ford Mustang's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to learn the decent mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A bad O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2012 Ford Mustang is every emotional. 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 really require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Ford you drive, but check our actual service coupons and specials.
• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or distinct item can wreak havoc on your 2012 Ford Mustang if it’s not installed perfectly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can deposit the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even avert the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound prevailing, deliver your Mustang to Ford and have our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a microscopic bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• Your 2012 Ford Mustang has a vacuum leak. Every Ford Mustang has a vacuum system that performs a roomy variety of functions. The vacuum system also 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 barren out and crack, especially if they’re exposed to imposing heat or extreme chilly.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Ford Mustang is what determines how much fuel is needed to run your engine efficiently by measuring the reward of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to explicit changes, like altitude. If your Ford Mustang is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a abrupt change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
• One of the most prevailing and plentiful cause is that your 2012 Ford Mustang gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2012 Ford Mustang 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 bad 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. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on quickly after you put gas in your 2012 Ford Mustang, first thing you should check is to make hopeful the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2012 Ford Mustang. 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 bad or old, 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, first-rate to more expensive repairs.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2012 Ford Mustang’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 generally caused by neglected maintenance, which is why David McDavid Ford offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Ford service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it serviced, your 2012 Ford Mustang 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 distinct problems from overheating.

Is it safe to drive your 2012 Ford Mustang with the check engine light on?

This question is not greatly uncomplicated 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 safe to drive. This is generally 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 hazardous problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a hazardous issue and it is recommended to service your Ford Mustang instantly. Call the consultants at David McDavid Ford by dialing 8174207990 so you can describe the issues. Or premium your speed and bring your 2012 Ford to our certified mechanics as soon as feasible.

2012 Ford Mustang Check Engine Light

A flashing light illustrates that the problem is relentless and if not taken care of at this moment may result in major wear and tear to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your 2012 Ford Mustang starts flashing, that means that the problem needs fast attention and your Ford should be brought in at this moment. This flashing light usually indicates a relentless engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be discarded into the exhaust system. There it can hastily increase the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is accessible, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can absolutely be the cause. A bad, 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 mentors at David McDavid Ford suddenly by calling 8174207990.

Check Engine Light Service 2012 Ford Mustang

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Ford Mustang and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Ford owners, your heart sinks a miniature because you have miniature 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 breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t indicate 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 2012 Ford Mustang checked as soon as correct. Ignoring that warning could end up causing considerable damage to expensive engine components.

When your 2012 Ford Mustang's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t proper, 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 identifies as 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 Ford auto repair technicians at David McDavid Ford. There are also a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you opt for that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced skilled to select the issue and repair it.

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

The middle value for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is frequently between $88 and $111. The curious news, David McDavid Ford offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to assist represent 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 critical failure like a harmful catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it curious to get the normal code reading and diagnosis.