Check Engine Light OnNeeds attention soon

The check engine light covers everything from a loose gas cap to a failing catalytic converter. The light itself isn't the diagnosis — the stored trouble codes are, and reading them properly is step one.

Most likely causes

1. Loose or faulty gas cap — The classic freebie — a poor seal triggers evaporative system codes.
2. Oxygen sensor or fuel mixture faults — Common at higher mileage; hurts fuel economy and eventually the catalytic converter.
3. Misfire (plugs, coils, injectors) — Usually accompanied by rough running; a flashing light means active misfire.
4. Catalytic converter efficiency — Often the downstream result of ignoring smaller issues.

What to do

A steady light: get it scanned soon — many shops read codes free. A FLASHING light: reduce speed and get seen immediately; an active misfire dumps raw fuel into the catalytic converter and turns a small repair into a big one.

What the repair typically costs

Related services in Florida typically run $90–$7,500 depending on what the diagnosis finds:

Engine diagnostic	$90–$200
Spark plug replacement	$100–$300
Timing belt replacement	$500–$1,100
Head gasket repair	$1,000–$2,500
Engine rebuild	$2,500–$5,000
Engine replacement	$3,000–$7,500

See the full engine repair cost guide →

Find a engine repair shop near you

The Auto Network covers trusted local shops across Florida — pick your city for shops that handle exactly this:

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Common questions

What this looks like

That orange light came on and you're trying to work out whether this is a $90 problem or a $2,500 one. Here's how to tell — including the one thing to check in the first two seconds that almost nobody does. Real repair costs, the free check that fixes a surprising number of these, and the four questions that separate a good shop from an expensive one. Compare independent shops near you (free, no chains, no dealership service departments): https://autonetworkhub.com/costs/auto...