Many responsibilities come along when you become a car owner. You have to worry about many other things, along with taking care of what’s happening on the road. The dashboard of the car has several notifications that need attention. One such notification is the check engine light. It is one of the most frustrating warnings that your car gives as it has no explanation of what is wrong with the car. But here are some steps that will help you figure out why you see check engine light. Try these methods suggestions before going to a mechanic, and you might save your money.
The first thing to do
The first thing you need to pay attention to is the warning light blinking or steady. If the warning light is blinking, it means that you immediately pull away from your car and call for help. A blinking sign would mean an emergency, whereas if the sign is steady then, the immediate action is not mandatory. But later on, go to the auto parts store and run a diagnostic to find the cause of the check engine light. By doing this, you will figure out the problem with your car and know the underlying cause.
Mostly the malfunctions are minor, and you can mend it yourself. Here’s the list of most common issues that might be the reason why you see check engine light.
Oxygen sensors might need replacement
The foremost cause of check engine light can be that the oxygen sensor of your might needs a replacement. It is a device that monitors the unburned oxygen from the exhaust. A fault in the oxygen sensor would mean that you are not getting the right information about how much fuel is burnt:
- The cause: The reason that the oxygen sensor doesn’t work is that it gets covered in oil ash. And, the ability of sensors to change the oxygen and fuel mixture reduces.
- What you can do: Usually, in the owner’s manual, you will find details on how to change the oxygen sensor of your car. If you locate the sensor, you only have to unclip it and place the new one.
Loose or faulty gas cap
Another cause of check engine light on can be that your car has a loose or faulty gas cap. Not always thought of as a severe problem, loose gas caps can be as troublesome as any other engine issues. The loose gas cap allows fuel vapors to leak out, which then results in lesser mileage:
- The cause: Not paying attention to where you place the gas cap or turning the gas cap too tightly can cause cracks in the gas cap. But also make sure that you do not let the cap be loose or gas will leak out.
- What you can do: When no other underlying issue is sensed, you probably have a loose gas cap. Stop the car on a sideway and check for a loose gas cap. Tighten it and drive the car for some time to see if the check engine light. If a loose cap was the problem, the check engine light sign would stop showing.
Spark plugs and wires
Spark plugs in your car work as a lighter to begin the combustion to start the engine if you feel a slight jerk when you start your car, or when you accelerate while driving, faulty spark plugs and wires can be the cause of check engine light:
- The cause: Spark plugs usually fail to work properly after a certain mileage is covered. So, in all cars of a build before 1996, spark plugs and wires fail to work after about 30,000 miles.
- What you can do: Changing spark plugs is not very expensive, and you should get them changed as soon as you see a problem. It can be easily done if you have the basic knowledge of how to do it, or you can ask a professional to help.
We hope this why you see a check engine light guide will help you maintain your car more easily!