The fault warning indicator, also known as the check engine light, is a signal from the car’s engine computer that something is wrong. The light could be a minor problem, such as a broken gas cap, or it could mean something more serious, such as a misfiring engine. In most situations, this means you’ll have to call a towing company in Brisbane or go to the car dealer to have the problem fixed and the light switched off.
For many car owners, the check engine light is one of the most aggravating of all dummy lights. The indicator is a passive-aggressive way of alerting you to the fact that there is a problem, and you must solve it. Some people disregard the check engine light and wait for other significant symptoms to appear before diagnosing the issue. That’s not a smart thing to do because you could be causing small car problems to turn into bigger ones.
When the light comes on, the car’s machine stores one or more diagnostic trouble codes. And if the light goes out, the codes will remain. You or your mechanic may use an OBD-II scanner to retrieve the codes and then troubleshoot the problem to find the source of the check engine light.
If your light is on, it usually means your car’s pollution control system is malfunctioning and it’s polluting the environment beyond federally allowed limits. An emissions test or smog check will fail a vehicle in this condition.
The check engine light should not be confused with the repair or service light. When a regular service is due, these lights illuminate. Mileage, gallons of fuel consumed, or some other form of vehicle-use calculation normally triggers them.
Here Are The Top 4 Things You Could Do When You See A Check Engine Light Blinking In Your Car
Not all warnings from the check engine light mean an equal amount of problems and an equal amount of dangers. Here are four typical scenarios and their implications:
The Check Engine Light Flashes Or Comes On Only In Certain Circumstances.
If the check engine light illuminates in the city but turns off on the highway, the issue is limited to city driving. It can even flicker inexplicably. When you see the light, pay attention to whether the car runs or moves differently. If you note a difference, drive it as little as possible before calling your towing company in Brisbane or visiting your mechanic. You can drive home if the vehicle’s output hasn’t changed, but you should get it inspected as soon as possible. You run the risk of the vehicle dying or not starting in this situation.
The Check Engine Light Comes On And Stays On.
There is a permanent flaw in the pollution control system if the check engine light is on continuously when driving with no visible driving or performance issues. When this occurs, the machine in charge of the emissions system will normally limit your car’s gear selection to a few lower gears. This means that the car should be taken to a mechanic and serviced as soon as possible.
The Check Engine Light Illuminates And Remains Illuminated, Along With Performance Issues.
This indicates that a critical part of your emissions control and engine management system is malfunctioning. It normally refers to a part or device that is required for the vehicle to function at all. In certain instances, the car is unsafe to drive at all, as it may suddenly break or stall. Pull over to a safe location and have the car towed by your towing company in Brisbane to a repair shop for a thorough inspection.
When Driving, The Check Engine Light Illuminates And Blinks In A Steady Pattern.
This steady pulsing of the check engine light (usually one or two flashes per second) should not be confused with a flicker (see above). When the vehicle is accelerated, the check engine light can stay on continuously or flash. This is a dangerous situation. When the check engine light flashes, there is a serious failure of the emission control system, causing the engine to misfire to the point that the catalytic converter is destroyed. It may indicate that the catalytic converter is overheating to the point that it glows red or, in the worst-case scenario, starts a fire on the vehicle’s underside. Pullover to a secure location as soon as possible and get your car towed by your towing company in Brisbane to an automobile diagnostician for repair.
Here, let’s discuss what would happen if you choose not to take any action
Determine if your check engine light is simply illuminated or blinking. A blinking check engine light signals a significant internal malfunction that must be addressed right away. Regardless, the check engine light should not be ignored. Driving with a non-flashing but illuminated check engine light will reduce fuel efficiency and ultimately lead to more serious and expensive repairs. Since all of the processes are interconnected, a failure in one can trigger a chain reaction in the output of the others. You can fail the emissions test if you take your car in for a state inspection while your check engine light is on.
To ensure the safety of your car, a check engine light should always be checked as soon as possible.
Here Are The Top 7 Reasons Why Your Check Engine Light Comes On:
Oxygen Sensor Failing
O2 sensors monitor emissions and ensure that the engine continues to operate at peak performance. This critical component determines how much-unburned oxygen is present in your car’s exhaust, and whether there is too little or too much, it can cause damage to other engine components. Gases leaving the engine are continuously monitored by these sensors. An engine needs precise air and fuel ratios to operate efficiently. The fuel economy suffers as a result of malfunctions, and engine output suffers as well.
A defective oxygen sensor can often cause a check engine light to illuminate. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons why your car’s check engine light illuminates while you’re driving.
Problems with Ignition Coil
Ignition coils are used to ignite spark plugs by drawing the required electric current from the battery. The electric current that powers the vehicle’s engine is disturbed without properly working spark plugs and coils. Because of the energy flowing through them, all of the components in the vehicle’s electrical system are subjected to a great deal of wear and tear.
If ignored, this can cause your car to suddenly stop working and will leave you in a situation where you will need to call your towing company in Brisbane for help.
Problems with Spark Plugs and Wires
Finally, a check engine light can illuminate due to worn spark plugs or plug wires. Your check engine light will most likely come on if something is wrong with your vehicle’s ignition system. If your car has over 100,000 miles on it and your connectors haven’t been updated, it’s time for new plugs and probably new wires. Another sign of spark plug trouble is stalling.
The electrical system of your vehicle relies heavily on wires and spark plugs. Engine misses or pings, rough engine idling, and irregular engine control, including power surges and losses, are all signs of wire and plug issues. Ignoring spark plug and plug wire issues will permanently damage your vehicle’s catalytic converter, resulting in very expensive repairs. The best advice is that you call your towing company in Brisbane and have this problem solved as soon as you notice ii.
Malfunctions of the Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor in your vehicle’s engine monitors the amount of air entering the engine to ensure that the proper amount of fuel is mixed in. Your engine can stall or refuse to start if you don’t have the proper air/fuel mixture. The Engine Control Unit can’t deliver or balance the right amount of fuel to your engine without accurate information from the mass airflow sensor. As a result, the engine’s output suffers, and fuel consumption suffers as well.
When the mass airflow sensor fails, the onboard computer receives a signal that there is an issue with the air/fuel mixture in your engine, and your check engine light illuminates.
Evaporative Emission Control System that isn’t working properly
A vehicle’s EVAP (Evaporative Emission Control system) prevents gasoline vapours from escaping from the gas tank and fuel system into the atmosphere. EVAP system problems are caused by faulty gas caps, defective valves, and leaking vacuum hoses and vents.
Exhaust Gas Re-circulation Ports and Valves are Dirty
By monitoring emissions, the EGS (short for Exhaust Gas Recirculation system) makes the vehicle operate more effectively. An EGR problem is indicated by engine misfires, hesitation, and rough idling. Engine efficiency and fuel economy suffer as a result of EGR issues. Exhaust Gas Recirculation device components are often clogged or dirty.
Problems with the charging system and a dead battery
The voltage in the battery and electrical systems is monitored by computer systems in most vehicles. When something goes wrong with the vehicle’s charging mechanism, the computers switch on the check engine light. If the temperature in the engine compartment is constantly high, car batteries age quickly.
A dead battery can put you in a situation where your car stops in the middle of a highway, causing you to have to call your towing company in Brisbane to fix your car. To avoid such a situation, you shouldn’t avoid the check engine light when it turns on.