When your check engine light goes on when you’re driving, you have an emergency. However, you might not know that if you are not a professional mechanic or your vehicle has never shown such a sign before. Driving it in such a condition is not advisable because the gas cap might be loose, or the engine could have developed a severe mechanical problem.
If you continue driving your vehicle when the check engine lights go on, the problem could cause other mechanical issues in different parts of your car, which could leave you on the side of the road for hours as the mechanic repairs your car. And, it might cost you a fortune to get it back on the road. Besides, the rampant mechanical problems threaten your vehicle’s longevity, and it might not live as you had expected.
Common causes of your check engine light going on while driving
As your vehicle starts to develop a mechanical issue, you might not notice the problem immediately because your car’s internal system might withstand the problem for several kilometers. However, as you continue driving, the situation worsens, affecting other sensors and systems.
If your check engine light is on when driving, different issues could occur without your knowledge. They could disguise themselves on one failure, making it difficult to know whether you have one or multiple problems. When the issue comes up, your car might have lost or missed a gas pipe, the oxygen sensor could be faulty, or it could have different engine problems. And, only a professional mechanic can inspect, determine, and rectify the particular situation your vehicle has.
When you hire a professional mechanic, they will inspect your vehicle skillfully to determine the problem’s genesis. Using a list of codes, your mechanic will know the exact sensors that have an issue. But, they have to use a specific order when diagnosing the problem because as they inspect your vehicle, one sensor or system failure can cause another method to fall. Your mechanic has to fix one item first, and then they will check to confirm whether there is another problem. If there is another issue, they will fix it separately until there is no problem left.
The solution to your check engine light problems
If your check engine light turns on when you are on the road, stop your car immediately. With the necessary mechanical skills and a pocket scan tool, you can inspect your vehicle to determine the problem’s genesis. However, if you don’t have the skills and tools for the job, hire a professional mechanic to assess and repair your car’s faulty parts skillfully.
You should never ignore your car’s check engine light when it turns when driving. Even if you are in a hurry to get to work in time or attend an emergency meeting, continuing with your journey might cause other mechanical problems that might be costly to repair. The best solution is to hire a professional mechanic to inspect your vehicle using the right tools. Then, they will rectify the problem before it causes other issues in different parts of your car.
