Albany, CA – What Check Engine Light Means | Advice from an Auto Repair Shop

Wondering what the check engine light means? Here is some useful advice from an Auto Repair Shop.

The check engine light, also known as the malfunction indicator lamps, is a signal from the car’s engine computer that something is wrong. It illuminates when your vehicle’s computer believes there is a problem that could affect your car’s emissions control system.

The light could turn on because of a faulty gas cap or something more serious, such as a misfiring engine. In any case, you will have to visit the car dealer to repair the issue and get the light turned off. However, you should not confuse the check engine light with the maintenance or service light. These lights illuminate when a routine service is due. Mileage, gallons of gasoline consumed, or some other type of vehicle-use measurement can trigger them.

What the Check Engine Light Means
Sensors in the engine monitor its various systems’ operation and connect to what’s called the On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD-II) system. The pre-1996 cars have an older version of the diagnostic system. When something isn’t functioning correctly, the check engine light appears to alert you. A blinking or flashing check engine light indicates a more severe problem.

Check engine lights come in different colors – orange, yellow, or amber, depending on the manufacturer. However, if the light begins flashing, it could result in a misfire that can quickly overheat the catalytic converter. These emissions devices operate at high temperatures to cut emissions but can result in a fire hazard if faulty.

There are two types of warnings.

Check engine light on: If the symbol appears and stays on steadily; it could be due to different problems. It’s advisable to take them to a repair garage soon.
Check engine light flashing: If the symbol is blinking or flashing, this is a more severe problem. Therefore, you should reach a safe location, shut off the engine, and have the car towed to a repair facility for diagnosis.

Common Causes of a Check Engine Light
Several problems can cause your check engine light to come on, but some are more common than others. You should contact an auto repair shop to correctly identify the issue.

The gas cap is loose: Tighten the gas cap or replace it with a new one if you have lost it.
Spark plugs are faulty: Replace the spark plugs.
Spark plug wires are bad: Replace the spark plug wires.
The oxygen sensor is bad: You will need a new sensor, but you should identify which one is bad first.
Mass airflow sensor is bad: You will need a new sensor.
The catalytic converter is faulty: Have a mechanic inspect and possibly replace the device.