Are you seeing the check engine light on your dash and you’re not sure why? There could be all sorts of reasons for this, and Sammy’s Auto has some tips for you.
There’s a Problem with the Spark Plugs
If there’s no spark, there’s no combustion. So everything to do with the spark plugs, including the plug wires, need to be in good condition. Should the car’s computer detect issues, the check engine light is likely to come on, and you’ll have to solve the underlying problem to get the light back off again.
There’s a Problem in the Exhaust System
You might think that your car’s exhaust system is just about funneling exhaust out of the car’s engine. That’s partially what it does, but there’s more that happens. The catalytic converter ensures that the exhaust is less harmful than it could be and the oxygen sensor keeps track of how much oxygen is ending up in the exhaust. If those parts fail, it affects engine performance, hence the light.
There’s a Problem in the Fuel System
Without fuel, your car’s engine isn’t going to do much. So, if there’s a problem somewhere in the fuel system that’s going to trigger the check engine light so that you can do some troubleshooting. The problem could be in the fuel injectors, the fuel pump, somewhere in the fuel lines, or even with your gas cap not sealing properly.
There’s a Problem with Sensors or the Car’s Computer
The main sensors in your car’s engine work together with the car’s computer, the engine control module, to properly calibrate fuel, air, and spark so that the combustion process does what it should. If the sensors or the ECM are not functioning properly, that triggers the check engine light because it means that your car’s engine isn’t getting what it needs. You might be noticing other issues, too, like misfiring or engine knocking.
There’s a Problem with the Transmission
You might already have a suspicion that there’s something going on with your transmission, but when it really becomes a problem your car’s computer is going to turn on the check engine light. That’s because the transmission has to work well in order to keep the engine working well. They all work together to transfer that power from the engine itself through the drive train and to the road.
Your car’s check engine light shouldn’t go off again until the problem is resolved. Give us a call at Sammy’s Auto in Seffner, FL and we can diagnose the situation for you so that you’ve got the answers you need.
