What to look for when your check engine light comes on

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(iSeeCars) – A vehicle’s Check Engine Light can turn any car trip into a heart-wrenching experience. As soon as the check engine light comes on, it’s hard not to hear the cha-ching sound of a cash register with it.

If the engine stops, the vehicle will also stop. This is what can make him so scary. However, a Check Engine Light can often be caused by something very simple. Let’s take a look at some of the top reasons your Check Engine Light might be on so that you have a better understanding of what your vehicle is trying to tell you.

What your Check Engine Light means

When your check engine light comes on, one or more diagnostic trouble codes are stored in the car’s computer. To diagnose what is triggering your check light, you can retrieve the codes using an OBD-II scanner. This can be done by a mechanic or you can purchase a code reader at an auto parts store. Even if you are using your own code reader to see what may be causing the problem, you should still have the problem diagnosed by a professional.

Make sure not to confuse your check engine light with other lights that may appear on your dashboard. You can refer to your vehicle’s manual to find out what other warning lights mean and what your check engine light will look like. Sometimes it’s just a picture of an engine, while others will have a “check engine” with it. You may also see a warning light indicating “Service Engine Soon”, which can easily be mistaken for the check engine light and simply means that your vehicle needs to undergo routine maintenance such as an oil change, an oil change. brake inspection or replacement of the timing belt. These warnings usually occur at regular mileage intervals, such as when your odometer reaches 30,000, 60,000, and 100,000 miles.

What to do when your Check Engine Light comes on

Various problems can change the appearance of the check engine light. Here are some common scenarios for guidance:

1. The check engine light flashes or appears under certain conditions.

This means that there is only a problem under certain driving conditions. Does the vehicle drive differently when the light is on? If you notice a difference in performance, immediately take the car to a mechanic. If you do not notice a change in the performance of the vehicle, it is safe to return home, but it should be seen by a professional as soon as possible.

2. The check engine light stays on.

If the check engine light stays on continuously and there is no noticeable problem with the performance of the car, there is likely a problem with the emissions system. You should have the car professionally serviced as soon as possible, but immediate towing is not necessary.

3. The check engine light will stay on if there is a performance problem.

This indicates that your vehicle has a serious problem that likely involves a component or system that is necessary for the vehicle to function properly. If the engine power is clearly reduced, the vehicle may have gone into “lame mode,” which essentially means the engine is trying to protect itself by providing minimal power. In this case, you should park in a safe place and have your vehicle towed to a dealership or repair shop.

4. The check engine light flashes continuously in a pattern.

This scenario likely indicates that there is a serious failure in the vehicle’s emission control system that is causing the engine to misfire. This could indicate that the catalytic converter is overheating, which could cause a fire under the vehicle. In this case, you should stop immediately and have your vehicle towed to a dealer or professional mechanic.

Common causes of a Check Engine Light:

1. Loose fuel cap

Something as benign as a loose gas cap can set off your Check Engine Light. This is because the most common reason for a Check Engine Light is emissions system issues. Your fuel system is a pressurized system. The vehicle’s computer monitors this pressure at all times while your vehicle is in motion. If you leave your fuel cap open or loose (even half a turn), it can trigger an emissions code in your vehicle’s computer. This, in turn, will cause the computer to turn on your Check Engine Light. So the first thing you need to do if your light comes on is to stop your vehicle in a safe place, turn it off and check your fuel cap. If it is loose, put it back on and power off automatically after a few moments. A worn or defective fuel tank cap can also cause this problem.

2. Defective oxygen sensors

Your oxygen sensors are another part of the emissions system that will trigger your Check Engine Light. Ironically, they are not really attached to the engine. They are screwed into your exhaust system in various places to monitor the air coming out of your engine. They tell your computer whether your air / fuel mixture is rich or lean. Most cars today have at least two sensors, one before the catalytic converter and one after the catalytic converter (this involves monitoring the air on both sides to see if the converter is doing its job as well), while some vehicles do have several for the sake of redundancy. Each sensor is electronically connected to your computer. If the sensor fails, gets clogged, or gets a reading it isn’t supposed to get, it will trigger your Check Engine Light.

3. Other parts of the emissions system

With today’s emissions standards, the emission control systems on most vehicles have become very complex. They are much more complex than a catalytic converter and a few sensors. They now consist of filters, cartridges, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves, positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valves, mist / air pumps, bypass valves and several sensors for monitor the whole system. If any of these areas fail, it can trigger one of the many different codes in your computer. These codes all trigger the Check Engine Light.

4. Mass air flow sensor failure

Your vehicle’s mass air flow (MAF) sensor measures the amount of air entering your engine to determine how much fuel is needed to operate properly. If there are any leaks before or after the mass air flow sensor, an indicator light will illuminate. These mass air flow sensors are sensitive to oil, water vapor or any debris. Sometimes a simple cleaning can fix the problem. Or, the sensor may need to be replaced. Failure to replace a faulty mass air flow sensor can result in reduced performance and reduced fuel economy.

5. Defective catalytic converter

Your vehicle’s catalytic converter protects the environment by converting carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. The oxygen sensors carefully monitor the performance of the catalytic converter and if something is wrong with the converter, a trouble code will appear. A failing catalytic converter is usually a secondary issue and is likely due to other issues being overlooked. If you don’t repair your catalytic converter, you will fail an emissions test, see reduced performance and fuel economy, and potentially cause engine failure.

6. misfires

An engine misfire occurs when something goes wrong when the spark plug ignites the air / fuel mixture in your car’s combustion chamber. A misfire can be caused either on one cylinder or on several cylinders. Here are some common culprits:

  • Defective ignition coil
  • Faulty fuel injector
  • Vacuum leak
  • Worn spark plugs and / or wires
  • Bad compression

If you do not fix the misfiring, your vehicle will have poor performance and reduced fuel economy and may lead to possible mechanical failure of the car engine.

Conclusion:

You should never ignore the check engine light of your vehicle. Although light scenarios can vary from mild to severe, you should always have your vehicle checked by a trusted professional to properly diagnose the problem. The way your check engine light appears can provide clues as to whether your vehicle needs immediate attention or whether it is safe to get home before heading to an auto repair shop. Ignoring a check engine light can lead to more expensive repairs down the road and can also be a safety hazard.

More from iSeeCars.com:

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  • What is a powertrain warranty?
  • How much does it cost to replace a windshield?

If you are looking for a used or new vehicle, you can search over 4 million used cars and new cars, trucks and SUVs with iSeeCars’ award winning car search engine that helps buyers find the best car deals by providing key information and valuable resources, like iSeeCars’ free VIN check report.

This article, Why is my Check Engine light on? originally appeared on iSeeCars.com.

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