Nobody ever wants to see the check engine light, but one thing is certain. If that light is on at all, your car’s computer is definitely trying to get your attention. Here are some tips from Sammy’s Auto about why your car’s check engine light might be on.
Exhaust Issues
The exhaust system is way more connected to keeping the engine running than most car owners realize. One of the biggest issues can be if the exhaust system isn’t filtering enough of the spent engine fumes away from the engine. When that happens, the air and fuel aren’t really able to combust like they need to in order to keep the engine running. That can lead to engine damage, and so the check engine light is there to warn you.
Sensor Problems
The car’s ECM, or onboard computer, relies on sensors to get the data it needs in order to keep the engine running properly. If any of those sensors aren’t working properly, the ECM doesn’t receive the right data. That in turn means that the check engine light is going to come on to let you know of potential engine damage that might occur if this problem isn’t resolved.
Fuel System Trouble
Another vital need for your car’s engine to keep running is fuel. If the fuel system isn’t working properly, then it’s highly likely that not enough fuel is getting to the engine. It’s also possible that the fuel that is getting into the engine is contaminated or has too much debris in it, especially if the fuel filter is clogged. The ECM will light up the check engine light to get you to fix the problem.
Transmission Failure
Keeping the transmission working properly is good for your car’s engine, because the two work together so closely. The engine sends power to the transmission to get the wheels moving and actually move the car. If the transmission can’t hold up its end of the deal, that’s very quickly a problem for your car’s engine. That’s when you’ll see the check engine light.
Maintenance Got Skipped
Your car’s owner’s manual lists out a bunch of different routine maintenance tasks that need to be handled on a consistent basis. If you’ve skipped maintenance or you’ve overlooked it, that’s eventually going to cause problems for your car’s engine. At that point, the ECM turns on the check engine light to get your attention.
Seeing your car’s check engine light? Call us today at Sammy’s Auto in Seffner, FL for help. We can run thorough diagnostic testing to rule out all potential causes and get you safely back on the road again.
