Hello! I got my battery and alternator replaced in Novemb...


Hello! I got my battery and alternator replaced in November. It is now January and my check engine light popped on. I do plan on taking it back to the place where I got my battery and alternator replaced, but should I be worried a...

Hello! I got my battery and alternator replaced in November. It is now January and my check engine light popped on. I do plan on taking it back to the place where I got my battery and alternator replaced, but should I be worried about it being something serious? Mechanic's Assistant: Does the light stay on, or does it blink? It stays on. Its the second day now. Nothing happens when I start the car and when I had to drive it to work then home, there were no problems. Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? Kis Spectra 2005 \*kia Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Spectra yourself? What have you tried so far? The first major problem I had with it, which was the battery and alternator, I took it to good year to get it fixed. I don't try to fix it myself because I don't know anything about fixing cars. Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you? Hmmm not that I can think of.

Automotive Expert
Good Day. My name is \*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\* i will be assisting you with your question today. The check engine light or MIL is a warning light that comes on when the engine is sensing something wrong and will stay on until the issue is resolved. This can be any multitue of things in the engine and doesnt point to one thing specific. This is an indication that a diagnostics needs to be performed on the vehicle. A mechanic will plug the vehicle into a diagnostic code reader to display the code that is causing the MIL to illuminate. From there, they will be able to inspect the specific components related to that code.
Automotive Expert
It could be anything from a failed sesnsor to a failed mechanical component. I have attched a link to a great write up that covers a broad subject of engine lights and what they mean, as well as typical items that common to failure a dapproximate costs to repair. https://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance/what-your-check-engine-light-is-telling-you.html

Okay. Is a new battery and alternator related to the engine light coming on?
Automotive Expert
With them only being 2 months old, I wouldnt think that would be the issue athough it is a possibility. I have seen stranger things. If the driveability of the vehicle has not been noticable affected, I would say that you most likely have a failed sensor somewhere causing a misreading and the engine code. The most common sensor to fail is the exhaust oxygen sensors. For your specifc model, I have attached another link that lists all issues and recalls for the 2015 Kia Spectra. https://www.carcomplaints.com/Kia/Spectra/2005/

Thats pretty helpful. I'm a college student and money is pretty tight for me. If this is the issue, the oxygen sensor, am I looking at something expensive?
Automotive Expert
No, Fortunately if it is that sensor, They are fairley inexpensive to replace for your vehicle. Typically around $30.00 - $100.00 for the sensor and about a 1 hour labor.

Okay last question. Should I be as worried as I already am? I am currently living in Thibodaux and I had to go home in Bossier City and that's an almost\*\*\*\*\* I also kind of feel like making that drive caused the light to come on.
Automotive Expert
As i am only speculating an do not know the cause of the engine light, i can only offer an opinion. My best suggestion would be to buy an obd2 code reader that you will be able to retrieve the codes from your vehicle. These a inexpensive as well and can be found on amazon for about $14.00. You would install an app on your phone to rad the code. With this you can pull the code and search the code online. This will tell you what the fault is and advise if is something serious or not serious. I would definitley suggest that the code be read before you drive a long distance. If there is an autozone in your area, You would be able to go there and they would be able to read the code as well. I dont know about your area but alot of the locations offer this service free of charge.

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