We’ve scanned over 23,879 Chevy Equinoxes with the FIXD OBD2 scanner and app. These are the 5 most Chevy Equinox Check Engine Light Codes:
5 Most Common Reasons for a Check Engine Light in Your Chevy Equinox
See how to easily find out why your check engine light is on and how to turn it off.
| Code | Severity | Simplified Description |
|---|---|---|
| P0420 | MODERATE– Extended driving with this code can cause internal engine damage | Your catalytic converter isn’t functioning efficiently. This could increase the output of harmful pollutants. |
| P0014 | SEVERE – Stop driving immediately | One of the exhaust camshafts is more advanced than the car’s computer has told it to be. |
| P0013 | MODERATE– Extended driving with this code can cause internal engine damage | There is an electrical issue in the exhaust camshaft timing circuit. |
| P0010 | MODERATE– Extended driving with this code can cause internal engine damage | There is an electrical issue in the intake camshaft timing circuit. |
| P0011 | SEVERE – Stop driving immediately | One of the intake camshafts is more advanced than the car’s computer has told it to be. |
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Other Common Chevy Equinox Issues
- Why won’t my car start?
- My air conditioner blowing cold air?
Why Won’t My Car Start?
If you turn the key and nothing happens, or you hear a click but the engine doesn’t start, you probably have a bad starter. This can happen to any car, but it is a particularly common issue with the Chevrolet Equinox. You will need to get a new starter. If you hear the engine crank but it won’t run, the starter works and the issue lies elsewhere.
My Air Conditioner Blowing Cold Air?
If your interior fan works but turning on the AC doesn’t blow cold air, your AC compressor has likely failed. This is another known issue with the Equinox. You will need to have a shop qualified to perform air conditioning service replace the compressor for you.
Check Your Gas Cap
One of the most common reasons for smelling gas in your Chevy Equinox is also the easiest problem to fix: a loose gas cap. This happens because the engine detects a leak in the evaporative emissions system, which exists when the gas cap isn’t tightened until it clicks. It’s easy, and it’s free! Learn everything there is to know about Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) System, including the various components and how they work, by reading this article.
What Should I Do If the Check Engine Light Is On in My Chevy?
There are many issues that can cause the Chevy Equinox check engine light to turn on, from a loose gas cap to major engine issues.
If this light turns on, don’t panic. Check out our guide on what to do when your check engine light comes on. Following this guide can help you avoid driving with a serious problem and causing more damage to your engine.
If you’d like some more information on diagnosing a check engine light yourself, you can also check out our article on the most common reasons for a check engine light.
For those of you who prefer a mechanic, you can find a trusted repair shop for inspection easily with RepairPal.
> Find a RepairPal Certified Shop Near You
What the Check Engine Light Means
Your Equinox engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system (OBD2). Read our full OBD2 scanner guide to learn all the OBD2 basics, including how to use it and understand the codes. All gas-powered cars and trucks made since 1996, plus diesel cars and trucks since 2008, have a diagnostic system to manage the engine and monitor system performance. This system alerts the driver and service technicians to any engine problems by activating the Check Engine Light on your dashboard. Special tools known as OBD2 readers or scanners can access diagnostic information from this system to find out what’s wrong with your car and how serious the problem really is.
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How to Read Your Equinox’s Check Engine Light
There are a few ways you can read the diagnostic trouble code stored in your car’s computer.
Browse our detailed guides here to learn more about OBD2 codes.
1) Go to your local mechanic. For a diagnostic fee, a shop will plug in their professional scan tool to read the code and identify the cause of the problem. This won’t help you if you’re broken down on the side of the road, however. You also may not have a relationship with a shop that you trust to diagnose the problem accurately, rather than try to profit from repairs.
2) Go to a nearby auto parts store. Most parts stores will plug their OBD2 scanner into your car and give you the code and technical description at no charge. The person providing this service is likely not a mechanic, though, and may not be able to provide any more information than what the scanner tells them. It’s also possible that they may try to sell you products you don’t need in order to “fix” the problem.
3) Read your own check engine light codes with or without a scanner. Checking codes manually can be done but, it’s tedious. Borrowing a scanner or buying one makes the process easier. There are many OBD2 scanners you can buy that will read codes and provide other engine information anytime you want. Read about our top picks for OBD scanners here. FIXD is able to translate any Chevy check engine light into plain English directly on your smartphone.
How the FIXD Check Engine Scanner Works
The FIXD car scanner plugs into your car’s OBD2 port. This is a trapezoid shaped plug located under the steering wheel. Read more about how to find your OBD2 port on your particular car. You can read our detailed guide with illustrations on how to locate your OBD2 port.
Most common locations to find your car’s OBD2 port
The FIXD Sensor and free mobile app explain in plain English what problem codes your car has recorded. You will get a detailed description of the problem so that you can make informed decisions about repairs.
Understand Your CEL
FIXD instantly translates over 7,000 error codes into simple terms right on your phone.
See How Serious Your CEL Is
Find out if your problem is serious or not, and whether it’s safe to keep on driving.
Get Maintenance Alerts
FIXD can automatically alert you when your Chevrolet Equinox is due for an oil change and other routine maintenance, based on your specific model and its mileage.
Monitor the Health of Your Chevy Equinox
FIXD will immediately send a notification to your phone if your check engine light turns on. You can also monitor data in real time, such as oxygen sensor voltage, fuel trims, vehicle speed, and more. Read this article to learn how the FIXD scanner and app’s live data function allows you to literally talk to your car when diagnosing most check engine light problems.
Does FIXD Work with Your Chevy Equinox?
FIXD is compatible with 1996 or newer gas-powered Chevy models, as well as 2008 and newer diesel cars and trucks. Use the Compatibility Checker for additional info.
Is It Safe to Drive with My Check Engine Light On?
That depends on what problem caused the light to turn on. You will need to use an OBD2 scan tool like the FIXD Sensor to find out the exact nature of the problem, how severe it is, and whether or not it’s safe to keep driving.
Generally speaking, if the indicator is a steady yellow light, it should be fine to keep driving. This could be something like an emissions issue that doesn’t affect drivability. While your car will keep running just fine, it’s still best to get this diagnosed and repaired sometime soon, especially if you live in a state that performs vehicle inspections.
If the light is blinking, you should stop as soon as it’s safe to do so. This indicates a serious problem, such as a misfire, that is actively occurring. It’s also good to check for low oil or overheating. If your check engine light is red, you should stop driving immediately.
If your Equinox experiences driveability issues, such as reduced power or misfires, slow down and take it easy on the engine to avoid making the problem worse.
How Can I Reset the Check Engine Light in My Equinox?
If you think you have resolved the problem, you may want to clear the codes that triggered your Chevy Equinox engine light. If you reset the light, drive, and it doesn’t turn back on, your problem is fixed.
The easiest way to reset the check engine light on your Chevy Equinox is with FIXD. Our detailed guide shows you how to quickly reset the check engine light without disconnecting the battery.
While auto parts stores will typically read your codes for free, they will not reset the light for you, and shops may charge more than $100 to do this.
In the FIXD app, you can reset the light anytime you want for free. After performing the engine scan, go to the Details page and click the “Clear Engine Light” button. The light will turn off, and any codes stored inside your Equinox’s computer will be cleared. If the light turns back on after a few miles of driving, the issue likely still exists.
Diagnose Your Chevy Equinox’s Check Engine Light with FIXD
If the check engine light turns back on, use FIXD to get detailed engine diagnostics, plain English code descriptions, issue severity warnings, and so much more. Learn more about the FIXD Sensor and mobile app today!
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
