What Does The Check Engine Light On A Car Mean?

One of the most dreaded signals any driver hopes not to see on the dashboard of his/her car is the check engine light. Here you are, minding your own business, having calculated your budget for the month without allowances for car problems, and suddenly, you see a light on your dashboard reading; ‘check engine’ or ‘service engine soon or just showing the image of a car engine. Then, you wonder; what’s wrong with the engine?

Understanding What Car Engine Light Means

A check engine light, also called Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), is a computerized message from your car engine that something is wrong. The check engine light is an important part of your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic (OBD) system. Depending on the manufacturer, the check engine light comes in yellow, orange, or amber.

The check engine light can either begin flashing or stays illuminated. These two signals are not the same as they tell different levels of car engine problems. If the check engine light keeps flashing on and off, it means there is a serious problem wrong with the engine such as a damaged catalytic converter. When this happens, it is best to look for a mechanic or go to an auto repair shop as soon as possible. Failure to do this can result in costly damages happening to the car. However, if the check engine light remains illuminated, it means the problem is minor- this could be a result of a loose gap/fuel cap. Notwithstanding, a check engine light warning is never to be ignored.

Reasons Why The Check Engine Light Comes On

Here are common reasons why the check engine light on your car turns on;

Loose fuel cap

A loose fuel cap is the commonest reason why the check engine light comes up. The fuel cap helps to prevent emission errors by preventing gasoline fumes from leaving the fuel tank. A simple way to correct these errors is to tighten the fuel cap or replace it if it’s faulty.

Oxygen sensor failure

An oxygen sensor measures the amount of unburnt oxygen in a car’s exhaust system, thus regulating the amount of fuel and air entering the cylinders. Failure in the oxygen sensor operation can allow more fuel to be burnt than usual. This could damage the spark plugs and catalytic converter in the engine; hence bringing the check engine light on.

Spark plugs/ignition issues

A malfunctioning spark plug can cause an engine to misfire which turns on the check engine light. The ignition coil generates the electricity the spark plugs need to ignite the fuel and air mixture in the cylinders. Malfunctioning of the coils could also cause the check engine light signal to pop up.

Catalytic converter failure

Issues affecting the catalytic converter could make the check engine light stay illuminated. The catalytic converter is part of your car’s exhaust system, failure in its operation will result in emission problems which will turn on the check engine light.

Vacuum leaks

A major function of the vacuumed system in a car is to lower the release of harmful emissions as gasoline evaporates through the car’s engine. Vacuum leaks occur when there is a break or crack in the vacuum hoses. This hampers the function of the vacuum system and turns on the check engine light.

Bad spark plug wire

As the name indicates, spark plug wires transmit electricity from the ignition coils to the spark plugs.

Common problems with bad spark plug wires include a rough idle as well a noticeable drop in engine performance which can also turn on the check engine light.

Mass airflow sensor failure

The Mass airflow sensor is part of the engine management system of a car that controls how much air enters the engine. Malfunctioning of the mass airflow sensor causes ignition problems which can affect the car engine.

What Should I Do When My Check Engine Light On

The problem with the check engine light being on is that you can’t exactly pinpoint what the problem is. This is why you can’t take a check engine warning signal for granted whether it is flashing or it stays illuminated.

The best thing to do when your check engine light comes on is to take it to a mechanic’s shop for diagnosis or troubleshooting (unless you have a portable diagnosis machine/ scan tool that you can use to decipher the Problem).

Once the problem has been diagnosed, then endeavour to take steps to correct the problem. You will know the engine problem is solved when the Check Engine light automatically turns off.

CONCLUSION

You don’t have to freak out when you see the check engine light on your dashboard. The problem is not always critical; it could be as minor as a loose fuel/gas cap that you only need to tighten.

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However, to be on the safe side, never ignore the check engine warning. Stop the car or take it to a mechanic’s shop, to find out what’s wrong.