10 REASONS YOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON

May 15th, 2020 by

It comes on at night. You look down at your speedometer and you see that the “check engine” warning light is on. This is not just any kind of light warning that you can take with a grain of salt. It is something that you should immediately get checked out as soon as possible or risk some kind of dangerous possibility occurring on the road. In this article, we’ll go over some reasons why you might see your check engine light on and how you can fix it.

1. Faulty Oxygen Sensor

The oxygen sensor in your vehicle measures the oxygen levels in the exhaust as it leaves the vehicle. This is how the powertrain determines the correct air to fuel ratio in your energy. A faulty oxygen sensor can lead to inefficient work done by the engine that can have a negative impact on environmental emissions as well as engine performance. Make sure you are replacing this sensor every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. A replacement can keep the engine running smoothly.

2. Loose Gas Cap

A gas cap that does not click in place has become loose. A gas cap, when working properly, prevents dirt, debris, and dust from entering the gas tank. A loose gas cap can throw the fuel system off and lead to a reduction in overall gas mileage. By ordering a replacement cap, you can avoid many of the problems associated with having a loose gas cap.

3. Faulty Ignition Coil

A faulty ignition coil can be disastrous for your vehicle and can result in a loss of power or acceleration, a reduction in gas mileage, and a stalling engine. You might even find your vehicle jerking randomly as you drive which can be extremely dangerous on the road. You should check your coil’s insulation control every 25,000 miles and see a technician if you are getting issues.

4. Faulty Catalytic Converter

Catalytic converters work to convert pollutants and other toxic gases in exhaust gas into less toxic pollutants via a reduction-oxidation reaction. If you have started to notice that your engine is going sluggish or even stalling, this might mean that your catalytic converter is getting clogged up with excessive amounts of unburned gas. While you likely won’t have to replace your catalytic converter over the life of your car, you can take it to a technician to get it cleaned out.

5. Bad Spark Plug

Spark plugs are responsible for delivering electric currents from the ignition system straight to the combustion center to ignite the fuel/air mixture that powers on the car. A bad spark plug can result in poor gas mileage, a lack of acceleration, engine misfires, and rough idling. While spark plugs are relatively hardier parts of the engine, you should aim to replace them every 30,000 miles. However, this number is just an estimate so check your manual for more detailed information.

6. Non-Compatible Aftermarket Alarm

Aftermarket alarm systems are necessary for making sure the alarm security system in your car is working appropriately. Without this, you will have a severe lack of security for your vehicle. If it is not working, the alarm system can be reprogrammed by turning your key into the “on” position and manually pressing the “override” button on your car alarm remote.

7. Leaky Vacuum Hose

A faulty or leaky vacuum hose line in your vehicle can result in the engine speed fluctuating up and down as the engine computer cannot properly process what speed you are looking to drive at. This will result in a decrease in fuel mileage as the engine ends up working harder and overcompensating. This can be solved by a technician replacing the hose and lubricating it.

8. Problematic Mass Air Flow Sensor

You will notice if your mass airflow sensor is too lean if there is engine hesitation, hard starting, or engine seizures. A good rule of thumb to follow is getting these replaced every 10,000 to 12,000 miIes. This will result in a cleaner engine with a smoother driveability.

9. Faulty Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve

A faulty exhaust gas recirculation valve can result in a reduction in fuel efficiency as well as power and acceleration. Faulty EGR valves can result in a buildup of soot, carbon deposits, and debris from fuel. A bad EGR can be replaced by an experienced technician.

10. Battery Charging System

Battery charging systems typically shine the check engine light when the battery voltage is low. This can be easily fixed by going to your local technician and getting your battery replaced. You should be aiming to replace your battery on an annual basis.

The “Check Engine” indicator is a remarkably intricate piece of equipment that has a hand over most of what makes the vehicle work. If you see this light come on for any reason, be sure to stop by your local car dealership and get a technician to look at it. If you are interested in getting one of our technicians to work on your problem, schedule an appointment today. We look forward to hearing from you and getting your vehicle back on the road in no time.

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