It can be unnerving for your check engine light to come on while you are driving your car, truck, or utility vehicle. The primary reason why this shakes up drivers is that they don’t know what’s wrong. The check engine light is a catch-all light that reports problems with parts and systems that don’t have their own warning light. Clark’s Car Care lists seven reasons why your check engine light might come on.
1. Catalytic Converter
If the catalytic converter is clogged or malfunctioning, you will end up with a check engine dashboard warning. The catalytic converter switches toxic emissions into safe ones. A malfunctioning converter will make your vehicle’s exhaust smell like rotten eggs.
2. EVAP System
The EVAP system prevents fuel from evaporating out of your automobile. This is an additional system to protect the environment from toxic emissions. If the EVAP system fails or your fuel cap is too loose, you will end up with the check engine warning on the dashboard.
3. Engine Control Unit
The engine control unit is your vehicle’s main computer chip. It communicates with all of the system sensors to make sure everything is operating as it should be. If the engine control unit fails, it will cut your engine and turn on the check engine light.
4. Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor tracks the air inflow from the outside. It rests behind the air filter. A common reason why a check engine light comes on is a problem with the mass airflow sensor. Usually, this problem is that the airflow sensor has gotten dirty.
5. Oxygen Sensor
The oxygen sensor keeps track of the exhaust’s oxygen levels. This sensor has an average lifespan of anywhere from 30,000 miles to 100,000 miles. It depends on your vehicle’s age. The engine control unit turns on the check engine light if the oxygen sensor reports an error.
6. Spark Plugs
Another thing that will cause a check engine warning is worn spark plugs. Aside from the dashboard warning light, you will also feel your engine misfire as the spark plugs misfire. Important to replace the spark plugs at the first sign of trouble.
7. Transmission
Finally, it would seem as if your transmission should have its own dashboard warning light but it doesn’t. As such, the engine control unit turns on the check engine light if the transmission is having problems.
Clark’s Car Care in Naperville, IL, can determine why your check engine light is on and repair the problem. Give us a call today.