It’s an integral part of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics system, but the check engine light is something that many drivers simply ignore. If your car seems to be driving fine, can the issue really be that bad?
Fuel Cap
A common cause for the check engine light is a loose or cracked gas cap. While it may seem like an unimportant part of your car, the fuel cap keeps dangerous fumes from escaping your fuel tank while preventing dirt and other debris from getting in and polluting your fuel supply. The fix for this problem is simple: tighten or replace your gas cap, then complete your car’s drive cycle to reset the light.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs ignite a mixture of air and fuel in the engine’s combustion chamber, making the engine produce power. Faulty spark plugs can cause your engine to misfire, decreasing your fuel efficiency, increasing your emissions output, and causing your check engine light to come on. You may notice your vehicle runs sluggishly or hesitates when you accelerate. Replacing those worn-out spark plugs is a simple repair.
Catalytic Converter
A failing catalytic converter can also trigger the check engine light. Your emissions system relies on the catalytic converter to convert toxic gases into more neutral substances. While they’re typically good for the lifetime of a car, catalytic converters can be damaged by other issues such as coolant leaks and misfiring spark plugs.
Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor ensures that the correct ratio of air and fuel is delivered to your engine. When the sensor is faulty, that ratio gets off, causing the check engine light to come on. Other symptoms of a failing mass airflow sensor are black exhaust, decreased fuel efficiency, or engine hesitation.
Urgent Problem
If the check engine light is red or flashing, your car is experiencing a critical issue and may be unsafe to drive. Have your vehicle inspected immediately to prevent extensive damage.
Since many issues can trigger the check engine light, the only sure way to diagnose the problem is to run a diagnostic test. Bring your European car to California Autohaus. We will quickly diagnose your auto trouble with state-of-the-art equipment, and we’ll make any necessary repairs with your 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
