2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN check engine light

Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is a part of an Onboard Diagnostic
System called OBD II that monitors engine and automatic transmission control systems. The
light will illuminate when the ignition is in the ON position before engine start. If the bulb
does not come on when turning the key from OFF to ON/RUN, have the condition checked
promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap, poor quality fuel, etc., may illuminate
the light after engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on through sev-
eral typical driving styles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
When the engine is running, the MIL may flash to alert serious conditions that could lead to
immediate loss of power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be ser-
viced as soon as possible if this occurs.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 329

Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“gASCAP” message will display in the odometer or a
“CHECK GASCAP” message will be displayed in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion. Tighten the gas cap until a “clicking” sound is
heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened.
Push the odometer reset button to turn the message off. If
the problem persists, the message will appear the next
time the vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged
cap. If the problem is detected twice in a row, the system
will turn on the MIL. Resolving the problem will turn the
MIL light off.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 615

Your vehicle has a simple ignition actuated test, which
you can use prior to going to the test station. To check if
your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must do the
following:
1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, but donot crank or start the engine.
NOTE: If you crank or start the engine, you will have to
start this test over.
2. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, you will see the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) symbol come on as part of a normal bulb check.
3. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will happen:
• The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF the ignition or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system is
not readyand you should
not proceed to the I/M station.
• The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you place the ignition in the off
position or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system is readyand you can proceed
to the I/M station.
If your OBD II system is not ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD II
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal
vehicle operation you should have your vehicle serviced
616 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•Check engine oil level.
• Check windshield washer fluid level.
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns
on. •
Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and power steering and fill as needed.
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights.
Required Maintenance Intervals.
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following
page for the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
• Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator system
turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as required.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses and park brake.
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or off-road conditions. 8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 667

Bulb Replacement........................ .657
Bulbs, Light ......................... .122, 655
Calibration, Compass ..................... .350
Camera, Rear ........................... .248
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .660
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................ .543
Power Steering ........................ .484
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................633
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............119,540
Cargo Compartment Luggage Carrier ....................... .291
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ....................282
Car Washes ............................ .640
Cellular Phone .......................... .439
Center High Mounted Stop Light ..............659
Certification Label ........................ .546
Chains, Tire ............................ .524Changing A Flat Tire
...................... .581
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .502
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .615
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ..............119
Checks, Safety ............................119
Child Restraint ............................93
Child Restraints Booster Seats ...........................98
Center Seat LATCH ..................... .107
Child Restraints .........................93
Child Seat Installation .................110,112
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt .......108
Infants And Child Restraints ................96
Install A LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint . . . .107
Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belt ................................ .109
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children ......101
Older Children And Child Restraints ..........97
Seating Positions ....................... .100
686 INDEX

Traction Control System...................495
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ........235
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..............495
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light ........321
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ......339
Emergency, In Case Of Hazard Warning Flasher ..................567
Jacking .......................... .581, 589
Jump Starting ......................... .600
Overheating .......................... .567
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........615
Engine Air Cleaner .......................... .621
Block Heater ......................... .468
Break-In Recommendations ................118
Checking Oil Level ..................... .618
Compartment ......................... .613
Compartment Identification ................613
Coolant (Antifreeze) ..................630, 661 Cooling
............................. .629
Exhaust Gas Caution .................119,540
Flooded, Starting ...................... .466
Fuel Requirements ...................536, 660
Oil .......................... .618, 660, 661
Oil Filter ............................ .621
Oil Selection ...................... .619, 660
Oil Synthetic ......................... .620
Overheating .......................... .567
Starting ............................. .465
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .620
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ...................620
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............89
Entry System, Illuminated ....................19
Ethanol ............................ .537, 540
Event Data Recorder ........................92
Exhaust Gas Caution ....................119,540
Exhaust System .......................119,622
10
INDEX 689

Exterior Lights....................... .122, 655
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .621
Air Conditioning ....................459, 626
Engine Oil ........................ .621, 661
Engine Oil Disposal .....................621
Flashers Hazard Warning ....................... .567
Turn Signal ..................122, 335, 657, 658
Flash-To-Pass ........................... .229
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ........................ .543
Engine Oil ........................... .542
Fuel Requirements ...................540, 541
Maintenance .......................... .543
Replacement Parts ...................... .543
Starting ............................. .542
Flooded Engine Starting ....................466 Floor Console
........................... .283
Fluid Capacities ......................... .660
Fluid Leaks ............................ .123
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ..................639
Brake ............................... .636
Cooling System ........................ .630
Power Steering ........................ .484
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ...........661
Fog Lights .......................... .225, 658
Fog Light Service ........................ .658
Fold in Floor (Stow N Go) Seating.............197
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................605
Fuel .................................. .536
Adding ............................. .543
Additives ............................ .538
Clean Air ............................ .536
Conserving ........................... .346
Economy

Mode ....................... .471
690 INDEX

Interior............................. .225
License ............................. .659
Lights On Reminder .....................224
Low Fuel ............................ .328
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) .........329
Park ............................ .336, 657
Passing ............................. .229
Reading ............................. .250
Rear Servicing ........................ .658
Rear Tail Lamps ....................... .658
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .316
Security Alarm ........................ .324
Service .......................... .655, 657
Side Marker .......................... .658
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ............332
Traction Control ....................... .498
Turn Signal ..................122, 335, 657, 658
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . .322, 335
Loading Vehicle ....................282, 546, 548 Capacities
........................... .548
Tires ............................... .507
Load Leveling System ..................... .291
Locks ..................................34
Door .................................34
Lubrication, Body ........................ .627
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack) ...................291
Lug Nuts .............................. .580
Maintenance Free Battery ....................624
Maintenance Procedures ....................617
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .666
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . .329, 615
Manual, Service ......................... .679
Map/Reading Lights ...................... .250
Memory Feature (Memory Seat) ...............216
Memory Seat ........................ .134, 216
Methanol .............................. .537
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... .347
694 INDEX