It is the bane of every driver – the dreaded check engine light. When that light comes on, your driving day takes a turn for the worse, and you start worrying about what is wrong – and what it will cost to set it right.
The problem with the check engine light is that many things can cause it to illuminate. Sometimes the culprit is quite innocuous – a misfiring sensor, an onboard computer that needs to be reset. Other times the problem is much more serious, signaling costly engine problems or issues with the emissions system.
When the check engine light comes on it is important to work through the possible problems one by one. The more you know about how that light works and what it means the better, so lets take a look at why light dashboard light might be illuminated.
Loose Gas Cap
If your check engine light came on as soon as you pulled away from the gas pump, the problem is probably a simple one to resolve. A loose gas cap can cause the light to illuminate, so pull off the road, check the cap and reseat it as tightly as possible.
You might even find that you left your gas cap behind – a common problem for busy drivers in the modern age. If so you can simply reclaim it, put it back on and drive off once the check engine light goes off.
Problems with the Catalytic Converter
Modern vehicles come equipped with a sophisticated emissions control system, one designed to keep the air as clean as possible and minimize the risk of respiratory disease. The key piece of equipment in that quest is the catalytic converter, a device that scrubs the air before it is released to the tailpipe.
If the catalytic converter is not working correctly, it could cause the check engine light to come on. You should ask your mechanic to check the emissions control system if your check engine light comes on and stays on, or if it illuminates periodically when no other cause is evident.
Dirty Spark Plugs
When you have your engine tuned up the mechanic will clean or replace the spark plugs, but those spark plugs can get dirty during the course of your daily driving. If the check engine light is on it could simply be the spark plugs are fouled, a simple fix that can be done in less than an hour’s time.
It is important to follow up if your spark plugs keep getting fouled, however, as this could mean an oil leak or other looming engine problem. Catching that issue early could save you a lot of money, so ask your mechanic to do some research and find out where the problem truly lies.
Having the check engine light come on is no fun, but it is not necessarily the end of the world. While some of the reasons for the light are indeed serious and expensive, others are minor and easy to fix.