“Why does the Check Engine light come on and how to fix it: Common causes and solutions”

Modern cars are equipped with a large number of sensors that quickly signal a malfunction. Most of them are in the engine, as in the most important and largest unit, but they are also found in the gearbox, cooling system, brake system and any electronic unit that regulates the operation of something. If the sensor registers some kind of malfunction, it sends a signal to the main electronic control unit (ECU), and it signals the driver about it. One of the most frequently illuminated warning lights on the dashboard is the Check Engine. In this article, we will discuss the possible reasons why this error may light up and decide what to do about it.

The most common cause of the Check Engine light coming to life is problems in the fuel and ignition systems: a faulty injector, a misfiring spark plug, an air mass sensor, or a clogged fuel filter.

In second place are problems with attachments, such as turbines or a compressor. If for some reason the supercharger does not produce the necessary pressure, the control unit will hasten to report this. In this case, one or two accelerations are enough, at which the grid of turbine parameters does not coincide with the output characteristics, and you will know about it. The supercharger does not have its own sensor, as it is technically part of the engine.

Also, the appearance of this lamp can cause a failed oxygen sensor (lambda probe), which evaluates the composition of exhaust gases. There are usually two probes: before the catalyst and after it. The sensor after is necessary to evaluate the efficiency of exhaust gas purification from the most harmful emissions. Accordingly, if the engine itself does not work correctly or the catalyst is “out”, the ECU immediately finds out about this and prescribes the corresponding error.

Usually cars have a separate light for the gearbox in the form of the word Gear, but sometimes it happens that an engine error is triggered. If a problem is detected, for example, if the speed sensor breaks, the automatic transmission automatically switches to emergency mode, which can also cause a malfunction of the internal combustion engine. This is a fairly rare situation, but known to auto mechanics.

Poor quality fuel can lead to unstable engine operation, even if all of its hardware is functioning perfectly. Fuel that does not meet the declared characteristics will ignite poorly, which will lead to unstable operation, “sneezing” and other similar special effects. Sensors will immediately detect this and send an appropriate signal.

For starters, don’t panic. The Check Engine light can indicate both a serious problem and a simple and relatively inexpensive one. First of all, try to assess the condition of the car with the engine running. Listen, it works smoothly, or intermittently. Check the responsiveness of the gas pedal and gear shifting. It will not be superfluous to look under the hood and check for obvious leaks, as well as the oil level in the engine. If the lamp lights up, but no obvious reasons could be found, and the engine runs smoothly, you can safely go to a car service, just avoid high speeds and sudden accelerations, as there is an unknown malfunction in the car.

If the engine is not running smoothly, then you should not force it, it is better to call a tow truck, because the reason can be serious. Also, you do not need to continue driving if the lamp lights up immediately after filling an empty tank with fuel – low-quality gasoline can lead to internal breakdowns of the units. Such gasoline cannot be “burned”, it only needs to be drained. This can be done on your own using a hose with a pump, but it is better to contact a service center, because a lot of fuel will remain in the line, from which it cannot simply be pumped out.

If you have the relevant knowledge, you can try to read the error drive. You will need a special device (OBD2 scanner), which must be installed in the diagnostic socket and connected to a smartphone or laptop. So you can find out what is the reason behind the common “Check Engine” warning light. If it’s a simple misfire due to a spark plug, then with a tool and spare spark plugs, you should be able to fix the problem yourself. If this is a more serious mistake, such as a stuck pressure converter in a turbine or a failed catalyst, then a simple repair will not get off here, you will need a lot of tricky tools, great knowledge of repair and specific spare parts that rarely lie in the trunk.

If you are not confident in your own abilities, it is better to take the car to the service and entrust the repair to professionals. Independent attempts to repair without the appropriate knowledge can only aggravate the situation, and the light bulb will become even more expensive.

We recommend that you carry out regular maintenance and checks on your vehicle. Timely replacement of oil, filters, spark plugs and other components will help prevent problems. If you visit a service station, do not be greedy for electronic diagnostics, it usually costs about a thousand rubles. But you can catch a future problem on the way, and not in the middle of the track. Parts rarely break every second, usually a long process that can be seen in deviated indicators, and a competent diagnostician should notice them. Take care of your cars and the Check Engine light will be a very rare guest.