Have you ever experienced while driving that your check engine light comes on but the car runs fine? If yes, you are not alone. It is a highly common occurrence that almost every driver has experienced at least once in their life. You sure can ignore the light if you want. However, it is not illuminating for fun. Modern cars come with advanced sensors that alert the car owners even to minute problems that can cause huge problems down the road.
Thus, as a responsible car owner, it is your duty to have your ride taken to a professional mechanic and handle the situation. The longer you wait, the heavier it is going to weigh on your pocket.
Today, in this article, we are going to talk about common reasons why that check engine lights up on your dash and how you can handle the different situations associated with it.
Why is My Check Engine Light On, But My Car Runs Fine?
If your car is running all right, why do you get awarning sign that says check engine? It’s tempting to dismiss the light, if only because there are no obvious symptoms, such as aberrant noises or performance issues. That warning light, however, means your car is trying to tell you something’s wrong under the hood – possibly not enough to make the vehicle drive poorly yet.
There may be a simple problem with a loose gas cap up through malfunctions in sensors that do not catch your attention immediately but can develop into major issues in the long run. The check engine light is also used as an indicator, giving you a warning about a minor problem that is becoming costly to repair.
Here we have a list of all the possible reasons why that light might illuminate on your dashboard.
1. Loose Gas Cap
It’s ironic, but a very loose or dented gas cap is one of the most common culprits that causes a light to come on. When your gas cap isn’t sealed well enough, fuel fumes leak out; the emissions system gets all screwed up, and the light will come on. Well, this is an extremely easy repair: tighten the cap up or replace it if it is dented.
2. Bad Oxygen Sensor
The oxygen sensor monitors the amount of unburned oxygen in your automobile’s exhaust. If bad, it will run fine at first, but your fuel economy will suffer; it can eventually lead to serious damage.
3. Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor (MAF) tracks the air that is introduced into the engine, and the vehicle adjusts fuel injection levels. A bad MAF sensor might not reveal many obvious signs at first besides a glance that only lights the check engine light, but over time, it could give rise to acceleration or fuel efficiency issues in your car.
4. Catalytic Converter Problems
The catalytic converter is crucial in reducing dangerous emissions. So you may not feel the difference in your driving, but such a failing catalytic converter will eventually cause more problems, for example, overheating or even total engine breakdown. It’s one of those problems that start small and snowball if not addressed.
5. Spark Plug or Ignition Coils Problem
Spark plugs and ignition coils make up a vital pair. They enable the fuel-air mixture inside your engine to be ignited. If either the spark plug or ignition coil is faulty, then it’s likely that your car will still run for some time, but you can start to experience some irregularities in the form of misfires or extremely rough idling if not replaced.
Can You Drive with the Check Engine Light On?
The check engine light is very likely to get most people wringing their hands with nerves. Not that it is always a signal to pull over immediately, but indeed, in most cases, the vehicle can run perfectly. The key, though, is knowing when to go ahead and when to pull over right away.
The check engine light can mean something as bad as it can be to your very drastic damage. Know how to react and what the light even means to prevent pricey repairs. Alright, let’s break down when it is safe to drive and when you have to pull over.
When It’s Safe to Keep Driving
Suppose your check engine light is steady and not blinking. In that case, you should drive for some time more unless your car otherwise exhibits signs of malfunction, such as unusual noises, reduced power, or rough handling.
Just remember: it’s not an emergency, but you should attend to the issue as soon as possible. Continuing to drive for weeks or months with the check engine light on could result in very serious problems and bigger bills to pay for repairs.
When You Should Pull Over Immediately
If the light is blinking, your car is begging you to, “Pull over, now!” The chances are that it is an indication of a more grave problem like the engine is misfiring. This could cause immediate damage to your engine or catalytic converter, so pull over in a safe spot and call a mechanic to come and assess the situation before proceeding further.
Book a Diagnostic Check
No matter what, it’s always a good idea to get your car checked out by the mechanic as soon as your Check Engine light comes on. A mechanic has easy access to all the high end tools and can diagnose your ride better for all the potential issues. Not only this, they can easily help you fix the error, reset your ride’s monitor, and save your ride from getting worse.
How to Diagnose the Problem?
When that check engine light starts glowing, you want to determine the cause. Earlier, it was a premium task that was not easy to handle. However, today there are many options. From easy DIYs to professional assistance, you can opt for anything and get your car diagnosed and find the reason why that light is bugging you.
Use an OBD-II Scanner
An OBD-II scanner is a device that plugs into your car and reads diagnostic codes. Those codes can tell you exactly what’s wrong with your vehicle. Some drivers like to keep an OBD-II scanner on hand in case they need to read and clear some codes themselves quickly. Many of these scanners can be found online and are very simple to use, if you have some basic knowledge of car diagnostics.
Free Diagnostics at Auto Parts Stores
You will find that most auto parts stores have free check engine light diagnostics. That’s correct; you can drive up to your local shop, and they will be able to pull the diagnostic codes off your car using an OBD-II scanner. It’s a fantastic service to have available in case you need help figuring out what’s going on before taking your vehicle to a mechanic.
Professional Mechanic vs. DIY Solutions
With the diagnostic code you have identified, you can now decide whether to self-correct the trouble or take the problem to a professional. Some issues can easily be self-corrected, such as a loose gas cap. In contrast, other troubles, such as an oxygen sensor or catalytic converter, are better left to a professional because they require specialized equipment and knowledge. If you are not sure of your car repair abilities, then it is best to leave it to a professional mechanic so that you do not make a bad situation worse.
What Happens If You Ignore this Problem?
The check engine light tempts you to look the other way, especially if it doesn’t affect the way your car runs. Even if your car seems perfectly fine, why bother fixing something that is not causing immediate problems? However, things can really be nasty if you ignore the check engine light.
Your car may be performing as it normally does, but the warning light is its way of telling you something isn’t quite right. This small matter can easily blossom into big, costly repair problems if ignored. Let’s go on with what could happen if you chose not to pay attention to that glowing light.
Short-Term Risks
At times, if you do not notice a check engine light right away, it may eventually cause the vehicle to suffer from poor fuel efficiency, minor performance issues, or a jerky idle. While these may not seem like such big deals when you first see them, the difference can quickly begin affecting your pocketbook as you fill up with gas or spend extra money on small repairs.
Longer-Term Damage
The more time you waste on ignoring the check engine light, the greater the possibility of the issue behind it causing even worse damage to your vehicle. For example, driving for weeks with a faulty oxygen sensor might damage your catalytic converter, which could be very costly to replace. Similarly, worn spark plugs or ignition coils cause your engine to misfire sometimes, and that added stress might not be good for any of your engine’s components.
FAQ’s
1. How do you reset check engine light?
After you have handled the issue causing your check engine light to blink like crazy, there are chances that its illumination will not go away. Do not get alarmed or think something is wrong again. It simply means you will have to reset the light manually. Preparing to reset your car’s check engine light isn’t too difficult if you follow these easy steps:
- Ensure the car is turned off and you are wearing your safety glasses and gloves.
- Locate the negative terminal of your car battery, which is covered by a black cap with a minus sign (-) stenciled on top.
- Use the wrench to eliminate the negative terminal nut. Remove the battery cable. Remove for 30-60 seconds.
- Reconnect the negative cable and tighten it in with the help of a wrench.
2. Can a Check Engine Light Resolve Itself?
Most cars today are designed with very sensitive systems that will indeed warn you if something amiss happens in the car, so when the light does not turn off or come back, take your car to a professional mechanic. Ignoring the light or waiting for it to “go away” may bring out even bigger, costlier repairs down the road. Thus, it is always best to get your car a proper diagnostic checkup to understand and determine what really needs fixing.
3. Why Check the Engine Light On After the Oil Change?
If your check engine light turns on after an oil change, it would be strange, but it is not especially unusual. Here are a few reasons why this might happen:
- Oil Cap or Filter Problems: Your oil cap was left loose or not tightened enough, or the oil filter was installed incorrectly. Both of these things could cause the light on your engine to come on.
- Sensor Problem: Sensors may be knocked or displaced during an oil change, which, in turn, can cause the check engine light to come on.
- Incorrect Oil: Using the wrong type of oil may impact the working of the engine and provoke the check engine light.
Most issues are simple repairs. Check the oil cap and filter first. If the light stays on, have it checked up by a mechanic to ensure everything is well.
Why Check Engine Light Coming On And Off?
If your check engine lights on and off, that usually means that it has an intermittent problem. Some reasons this can occur are as follows:
- Minor or Temporary Issue: It could be something minor like a loose gas cap or even a brief malfunction of a sensor that could cause the check engine light to blink on and off as the car’s system resets itself.
- Wiring or Sensor Problem: It can be the sensor problem or loose connections that are causing the flickering light, which behaves according to the driving conditions.
- Pending Problem: Your car is just detecting something that doesn’t seem constant yet but is going to turn into a problem in the long run.
If the light is turning on and off, it would be a good idea to have it checked out. Even when your car doesn’t seem to have problems, a check-diagnostic will catch any issues at the moment before they turn into a costlier repair.
In conclusion, the temptation to panic is understandable when that check engine light comes on, but often, nothing terrible is happening. Something as simple as a loose gas cap might be the cause. Yet extended periods of ignoring the light can lead to serious and costly problems later on.
If it’s steady, you’re likely good to go but do schedule an appointment to have someone diagnose it as soon as possible. If it’s blinking, pull over now and call for help. Yes, regardless of whether the light is steady or flashing, take care of it immediately, and you’ll save yourself headaches down the road with a lighter wallet, too. The next time that little light pops on don’t just ignore it. Get it checked and your car will thank you.
