The short answer: Read the fault code first, then decide urgency. A flashing light or a light with overheating, low oil pressure, or a big loss of power means stop driving and get the vehicle checked today. A steady light with no symptoms usually means book a shop visit within a few days. If your fleet has telematics, the code is often already in your Samsara, Geotab, or Verizon Connect account before the driver calls. HoneyRuns' AI agent, Riggs, reads those codes, decides what needs service and when, and books it with your shop.
Step 1: Get the code
The light tells you something is wrong. The code (for example P0300, random misfire) tells you what. There are three ways to get it:
- Telematics. Most telematics devices report diagnostic trouble codes to the fleet's account automatically.
- A cheap OBD-II reader in each vehicle. Drivers can read the code and text a photo.
- The shop. Many parts stores and shops read codes for free.
Step 2: Decide how urgent it is
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing light | Active misfire; can damage the catalytic converter | Stop driving, tow or drive directly to a shop |
| Light plus temperature, oil pressure, or charging warning | Engine or electrical problem | Stop and call it in today |
| Steady light, drives normally | Sensor, emissions, or minor fault | Book within a few days |
| Light went off on its own | Intermittent fault, often still logged | Book at next scheduled service, keep the code |
When in doubt, treat it as urgent. A tow is cheaper than an engine.
Step 3: Get it to the right shop
Send the shop the code, the vehicle, the mileage, and what the driver noticed. That lets them order parts or set aside bay time before the vehicle arrives, instead of starting from zero at drop-off. If the problem is minor and you use a mobile mechanic, the repair may happen at your yard after hours.
Step 4: Close the loop
Write down what the code was, what the shop found, what it cost, and the date. Codes that keep coming back on the same vehicle are worth knowing about before the next big repair.
Why this breaks down in practice
The driver mentions the light to the dispatcher. The dispatcher means to tell someone. The code sits in the telematics account where nobody looks. Two weeks later the van is on a tow truck. The process above is easy; doing it every time for every vehicle is the hard part.
How Riggs handles it
When a fault code comes in from telematics or a driver reports a light, Riggs reads the code, checks the vehicle's history, and decides what needs service and when, around the vehicle's jobs. It books the repair with the fleet's preferred shop or mobile mechanic, sends the shop the code and history, tells the driver where to go, and follows up until the vehicle is back. The fleet manager approves the estimate before work goes ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a fleet van keep driving with the check engine light on? A: If the light is steady and the vehicle drives normally, it is usually safe to drive to a scheduled shop visit within a few days. If the light is flashing or comes with other warnings, stop driving and get it checked.
Q: How do I see check engine codes for my fleet vehicles? A: Telematics platforms like Samsara, Geotab, and Verizon Connect report fault codes automatically. Without telematics, use a handheld OBD-II reader or have a shop read the code.
Q: What should drivers do when a check engine light comes on? A: Report it right away with a photo of the dash and any symptoms, and stop driving if the light is flashing. Someone other than the driver should decide when and where it gets fixed.
Q: Should I clear the check engine code? A: Not before a shop has seen it. Clearing the code erases information that helps diagnose intermittent problems.
Get Started with HoneyRuns
Connect your telematics and see which vehicles have open fault codes right now. Get started.
HoneyRuns gets fleet maintenance done. It watches mileage, intervals, and telematics, books the repair with the shops and vendors you already use, stays on the driver and the shop until the vehicle is back, and logs the completed service in the system you already run. Your team approves repair estimates before work goes ahead. Founded by fleet operators who manage 70 vehicles across three fleets today.