Is It Safe To Drive With The Check Engine Light On? However, you’ll still require a certified technician to do a multi point inspection and find the root cause of the issue. You can read this engine code using an OBD II code reader. Since the engine light can come on for numerous reasons, the ECM also logs a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) detailing the issue. Whenever the ECM runs into an issue that it can’t resolve, it triggers the Check Engine Light (CEL). Most modern vehicles have an Engine Control Module (ECM) that regulates the vehicle’s fuel supply, air management, fuel injection, and ignition - based on the data it receives from different sensors on your vehicle. The engine light (check powertrain light) is a visual indicator on your vehicle’s dashboard that comes on when there’s a problem in your Onboard Diagnostics System (OBD). Here are answers to some common check engine questions: 1. If you keep ignoring the check engine light for such misfires, they can result in serious problems like a mechanical failure of your car’s engine. Some other reasons that could also cause engine misfire and trigger the engine light are: If the timing of the spark is off or if the fuel mixture and its compression isn’t right, your vehicle can misfire. Spark plugs help ignite the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. So, contamination in the air tract can trigger the check engine signal too. The mass airflow sensor is also sensitive to dirt, water, and oil. If the sensor goes bad or there are any leaks in the air intake tract, the check engine light will come on. The ECM uses this data to determine the amount of fuel to inject into the combustion chamber. The mass airflow sensor in your vehicle measures how much air enters the engine. In other cases, it could be the ignition coil that’s to be blamed. Worn-out spark plug wires can also cause the check engine light to come on. When the spark plugs are worn out, they can lead to ignition problems, fuel wastage, and even damage other essential elements of your vehicle. Spark plugs are responsible for generating an electric spark to crank your engine. When that happens, you should call your service center and schedule a battery service. You may also notice an illuminated battery light on your dashboard, indicating an issue with your battery or alternator. This will result in a flashing check engine light, and your ECM will register a trouble code. When your car battery is weak or isn’t fully charged, it’ll fail to send enough power to your vehicle’s ECM. If you accidentally leave this gas cap loose, you can lose fuel through evaporation, and your exhaust gas recirculation system will not function smoothly. Your gas cap is a part of a sealed evaporative emissions system that prevents the gas vapors from escaping into the air. Sometimes, an issue as simple as a loose gas cap can cause the diagnostic system to turn on the engine light. Your vehicle will also not pass the emission tests as a bad catalytic converter will emit harmful compounds like hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. However, these sensors have to tolerate extremely high temperatures and are prone to fail when your vehicle crosses 80,000 miles.Ī faulty oxygen sensor can even damage your spark plugs and catalytic converter, leading to costly repairs. Accordingly, the ECM creates an ideal air fuel mixture to offer optimum mileage under different driving conditions. This helps the ECM (car’s computer) to know how efficiently the fuel burns during combustion. Failed Oxygen SensorĪn oxygen sensor measures the unburnt oxygen in your vehicle’s exhaust system. Here are the six common reasons that can trigger the check engine light of your vehicle: 1. 6 Reasons Why The Check Engine Light May Come On
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |