Do Car Computers Store Dates with Check Engine Codes?

When your car’s check engine light comes on, it can be a frustrating and confusing experience. You may be wondering what’s wrong with your car and how much it will cost to fix. One question you may have is whether or not your car’s computer stores the date that the check engine light was turned on.

The answer is yes, most car computers do store the date that the check engine light was turned on. This information is stored in the car’s electronic control unit (ECU), which is the computer that controls the car’s engine and other systems. The ECU stores the date and time that the check engine light was turned on, as well as the trouble code that was stored in the computer.

Why Do Car Computers Store Dates with Check Engine Codes?

There are a few reasons why car computers store dates with check engine codes. First, this information can be helpful for diagnosing the problem that caused the check engine light to come on. By knowing the date that the light was turned on, the mechanic can narrow down the possible causes of the problem.

Second, storing the date that the check engine light was turned on can help the mechanic to track the progress of the repairs. By comparing the date that the light was turned on to the date that the repairs were completed, the mechanic can see how long it took to fix the problem.

Finally, storing the date that the check engine light was turned on can help to protect the car owner from fraud. If a mechanic claims to have fixed the problem, but the check engine light comes back on, the car owner can use the date that the light was turned on to prove that the mechanic did not actually fix the problem.

How to Find the Date that the Check Engine Light Was Turned On

If you want to find out the date that the check engine light was turned on, you can use a code reader to scan the car’s computer. A code reader is a device that can be plugged into your car’s diagnostic port and can read the trouble codes that are stored in the computer. Once you have scanned the car’s computer, you can use a code reader to look up the date that the check engine light was turned on.

Conclusion

Most car computers do store the date that the check engine light was turned on. This information can be helpful for diagnosing the problem that caused the check engine light to come on, tracking the progress of the repairs, and protecting the car owner from fraud.