5 Reasons Your Check Engine Light Came On

Most of us have been there before when we are driving somewhere hoping to get to our destination on time. Then all of a sudden, we see a light come on our car dashboard. We hope that it is something that can be easily fixed such as a flat tire or a refill on gas. However, it could also possibly be something more serious such as the car engine. An engine light is an indicator that most likely a part needs to be fixed for your car to work properly. Read below to find out five reasons your check engine light came on.

Your Gas Cap Needs To Be Checked

This is one of the more simpler problems from a check engine light. If a gas cap is loose, missing, or damaged then it can signal your check engine light. This is an easy fix since you do not want your gas to evaporate. All you have to do is tighten the cap or replace it if it is missing or damaged.

You May Need to Replace Your Oxygen (O2) Sensor

This is one of the most common car repairs. If this remains unrepaired, it can lower your car’s fuel performance by as much as 40 percent! The result of a failing oxygen sensor can come from neglecting car repairs, engine issues or using a gas with a higher ethanol concentration.

3. Your Catalytic Converter Needs To Be Replaced

This is the second most common issue that car owners face. It is important to have a good catalytic converter since this helps convert harmful carbon monoxide from your car into carbon dioxide. Most of the time when a catalytic converter is failing it also means that there is an underlying issue. Therefore, you most likely will have to pay for other parts such as a spark plug or ignition coil.

Your Spark Plugs or Plug Wires Need To Be Replaced

Well, speaking of spark plugs they can also trigger your engine light sensor. Besides, affecting your catalytic converter, defective spark plugs can also decrease your car’s performance and fuel economy. If you are good with cars, then a spark plug replacement can cost as low as $10. However, if you need to have your car seen by auto mechanic it can cost about $300 or more.

Your Mass Airflow (MAF) Sensor Is Failing

This is important because it measures the amount of air entering your engine and determines how much fuel your engine needs to run properly. Therefore, if your mass airflow sensor is not working correctly then your fuel economy will lower as well as your car’s performance. This can also negatively affect your O2 sensor, catalytic converter, and spark plugs.

In conclusion, it is best to have your car checked at the first sign of a check engine light. As you can see, if it remains unchecked, it can lead to other major problems. Something that was a low-cost fix could turn into a more expensive repair.

Image “On [46 of 52]” by CJ Isherwood, used under CC BY-SA 2.0