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Why Is the Check Engine Light On in My Car?

Don’t believe the rumors that the check engine light comes on in your automobile for no reason. A 2019 study showed that the check engine light is over 90 percent accurate, which means if your check engine light is on in your car, truck, utility vehicle, or van, there’s likely a reason why. RI Automotive lists the common reasons why check engine lights come on below.

Catalytic Converter Failure

The catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system and it is tasked with switching carbon monoxide to a safer gas before it is released through the exhaust. The catalytic converter can clog over time and it can also go bad. The check engine warning will come on if the catalytic converter is failing.

Electrical System Failure

Your vehicle is one gigantic electrical system. You’ve got the engine control module, which is the main computer chip that turns on the check engine light, and system sensors among other electrical parts. If anything goes wrong with the electrical system, the check engine light will come on.

Fuel System Problems

Clogs in the fuel system can cause a lean fuel mixture. Leaking fuel lines or fuel injectors can cause a rich fuel mixture. Either of these things will generate a check engine light warning, as will a loose gas cap if you didn’t screw it on tight the last time you filled your automobile.

MAF Sensor Failure

The mass airflow or MAF sensor keeps track of how much air flows into the vehicle’s engine from the outside. If this sensor is failing, the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is affected. An incorrect mixture will cause the engine control module to turn on the check engine warning.

O2 Sensor Failure

The same holds true for the oxygen or O2 sensor. This sensor is responsible for determining how much oxygen is in your vehicle’s exhaust. If it is malfunctioning, the engine control module will make unnecessary changes to the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

Spark Plug Failure

Finally, misfiring spark plugs can be caused by a malfunctioning engine control module or old and worn spark plugs and wires. You will be able to feel the misfires in your engine and your check engine warning will likely come on. It’s time for spark plug change in this case.

RI Automotive in Tampa, FL, advises that one more common reason why the check engine light comes on is transmission problems. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment to bring your vehicle in for a check engine diagnostic test.

Photo by Daren_N from Getty Images Pro via Canva Pro
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