Car Sputtering Check Engine Light On: A Comprehensive Troubleshooting Guide

Introduction

If your car is sputtering and the check engine light is on, it means that there is a problem with your engine that needs to be addressed. There are many possible causes of this issue, so it is important to troubleshoot the problem carefully in order to find the root cause.

Common Causes of Car Sputtering and Check Engine Light

There are many possible causes of car sputtering and check engine light, but some of the most common include:

Spark plug or coil failure
Fuel injector problems
Air filter clogged
Mass airflow sensor (MAF) malfunction
Oxygen sensor failure
Exhaust system problems
Computer problems

Troubleshooting Car Sputtering and Check Engine Light

If your car is sputtering and the check engine light is on, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem:

1. Check the spark plugs and coils.

The spark plugs and coils are responsible for creating the spark that ignites the fuel in your engine. If the spark plugs or coils are not working properly, it can cause your engine to sputter.

To check the spark plugs, remove them from the engine and inspect them for any damage or wear. If the spark plugs are worn or damaged, they should be replaced.

To check the coils, you will need a multimeter. Set the multimeter to the ohms setting and measure the resistance between the primary and secondary terminals of the coil. If the resistance is too high or too low, the coil should be replaced.

2. Check the fuel injectors.

The fuel injectors are responsible for delivering fuel to the engine. If the fuel injectors are not working properly, it can cause your engine to sputter.

To check the fuel injectors, you can use a fuel injector tester. The fuel injector tester will connect to the fuel injector and measure the amount of fuel that is being delivered. If the fuel injector is not delivering enough fuel, it should be replaced.

3. Check the air filter.

The air filter is responsible for cleaning the air that enters the engine. If the air filter is clogged, it can restrict the flow of air to the engine, which can cause it to sputter.

To check the air filter, remove it from the engine and inspect it for any dirt or debris. If the air filter is dirty, it should be replaced.

4. Check the mass airflow sensor (MAF).

The MAF sensor is responsible for measuring the amount of air that enters the engine. If the MAF sensor is not working properly, it can send incorrect data to the computer, which can cause the engine to sputter.

To check the MAF sensor, you can use a multimeter. Set the multimeter to the volts setting and measure the voltage between the MAF sensor signal wire and the ground wire. If the voltage is not within the specified range, the MAF sensor should be replaced.

5. Check the oxygen sensor.

The oxygen sensor is responsible for measuring the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas. If the oxygen sensor is not working properly, it can send incorrect data to the computer, which can cause the engine to sputter.

To check the oxygen sensor, you can use a scan tool. The scan tool will connect to the oxygen sensor and display the sensor data. If the oxygen sensor data is not within the specified range, the oxygen sensor should be replaced.

6. Check the exhaust system.

The exhaust system is responsible for removing exhaust gases from the engine. If the exhaust system is blocked or damaged, it can cause the engine to sputter.

To check the exhaust system, inspect it for any blockages or damage. If the exhaust system is blocked or damaged, it should be repaired or replaced.