Your check engine light will first turn on when you start your automobile but it should turn off relatively quickly. If it remains illuminated, or if it turns on while you are driving, Peerless Automotive advises there is a part or system that is malfunctioning. If the check engine light turns on and starts to flash, stop driving your automobile right away. This is a sign of a serious problem in the engine.
Catalytic Converter
One thing that can turn on the check engine light and keep it burning steadily is a faulty catalytic converter that is no longer treating your vehicle’s exhaust. Aside from the check engine warning, you may also notice black exhaust smoke flowing out of the tailpipe.
EVAP Control System
The check engine light will also steadily burn if there is a malfunction in the EVAP control system. This system is installed in your automobile to make sure that it never allows the fuel to evaporate. As an aside, a loose gas cap can also cause a steady check engine warning.
Engine Control Unit
It’s somewhat ironic that the engine control unit turns on the check engine light for any of the problems listed in this blog post, including itself. The engine control unit is your automobile’s main computer chip, and it can fail and illuminate the check engine light as a result.
Mass Airflow Sensor
There is a mass airflow sensor in the engine that keeps track of the incoming air. If it malfunctions, you will start to have engine performance problems. These engine performance problems cause system sensors to send the engine control unit error codes. As such, it turns on the check engine light.
Oxygen Sensor
The same is true with the oxygen sensor, which is located in the tailpipe. The mass airflow sensor generally lasts the life of your car, but the oxygen sensor only lasts about 100,000 miles. When it goes bad, you will end up with the check engine warning on the dashboard.
Spark Plugs
Aside from an illuminated check engine light, your engine will also start to misfire if the spark plugs have gone bad. In fact, if the misfiring is intense, your engine may stall frequently. This is a sign that it’s time to bring your vehicle to our shop for new plugs and plug wires.
Peerless Automotive in Olathe, KS, is here to help, so call us today to set up a diagnostic test if your check engine light has turned on and remained on.