What Does the Check Engine Light Mean on a Car?
Introduction
The check engine light is one of the most common warning lights that can illuminate on a car’s dashboard. It can be a frustrating and confusing experience, especially if you’re not sure what it means or what to do about it.
In this article, we’ll explain what the check engine light means, what causes it to come on, and what you should do if it happens to you.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
The check engine light is designed to alert you to a problem with your car’s engine or emissions system. It can be triggered by a variety of issues, including:
- Loose or damaged gas cap
- Faulty oxygen sensor
- Catalytic converter failure
- Evaporative emissions leak
- Engine misfire
- Transmission problems
When the check engine light comes on, it means that your car’s computer has detected a problem and has stored a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in its memory. This code can be used by a mechanic to identify the specific problem that is causing the light to come on.
What Causes the Check Engine Light to Come On?
As mentioned above, the check engine light can be caused by a variety of problems. Some of the most common causes include:
- Loose or damaged gas cap: A loose or damaged gas cap can allow fuel vapors to escape from the fuel tank, which can trigger the check engine light.
- Faulty oxygen sensor: An oxygen sensor measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas. If the sensor is faulty, it can send incorrect information to the car’s computer, which can cause the check engine light to come on.
- Catalytic converter failure: The catalytic converter is a device that helps to reduce emissions from the exhaust system. If the catalytic converter fails, it can cause the check engine light to come on.
- Evaporative emissions leak: An evaporative emissions leak can allow fuel vapors to escape from the fuel system. This can trigger the check engine light.
- Engine misfire: An engine misfire occurs when one or more cylinders in the engine are not firing properly. This can cause the check engine light to come on.
- Transmission problems: Transmission problems can also cause the check engine light to come on. This is because the transmission is connected to the engine and can send signals to the car’s computer if there is a problem.
What Should You Do if the Check Engine Light Comes On?
If the check engine light comes on, it’s important to take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the problem will worsen and become more expensive to repair.
When you take your car to a mechanic, they will use a diagnostic scanner to read the DTCs that are stored in the car’s computer. This will help them to identify the specific problem that is causing the check engine light to come on.
Once the mechanic has identified the problem, they will recommend a course of action. This may involve replacing a faulty part, repairing a leak, or resetting the car’s computer.
Conclusion
The check engine light is a warning that should not be ignored. If the light comes on, it’s important to take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed and repaired.
