Auto Parts Covered By the Check Engine Light

You have noticed that your dashboard provides a ton of information. There are lights and gauges designed to keep you abreast of how your automobile is running. Righteous Auto Care advises that there is also a catch-all dashboard warning light to cover automobile parts that do not have their own warning lights. This light is the check engine light , and it can come on for the following reasons.

A malfunctioning catalytic converter will turn on the check engine light as well as increase your engine’s heat. You may also smell rotten eggs in the exhaust, and you may end up with engine performance problems such as acceleration lag and sputtering at high speeds.

The engine control unit is your automobile’s main computer chip. It is the chip that turns on the check engine light when there is a problem. Naturally, if it malfunctions, the check engine light will turn on. Your engine may also turn off and refuse to reignite.

The gas cap covers the fuel tank to make sure that fuel does not evaporate out of it and into the environment. The cap creates a vacuum seal over the fuel tank. If the gas cap is too loose, you may end up with the check engine warning and reduced fuel economy. 

Measuring the air inflow into the engine, the mass airflow sensor rarely goes bad. It can get dirty, however, and once caked with dirt, it may malfunction. When this happens, you might find it difficult to start your automobile, and you will receive a check engine warning.

The oxygen sensor alerts the engine control unit to the oxygen levels in the exhaust. The oxygen sensor lasts about 100,000 miles in newer automobiles. This sensor can go bad after this mileage duration and you will receive a check engine warning.

The spark plugs do not have a light of their own. If they are worn and misfiring, your engine will sputter and might even stall in severe cases. The check engine light will also come on until you replace the old spark plugs.

Finally, you would think that the transmission would have a light of its own but it doesn’t. If it is malfunctioning, you may notice strange things like problems shifting gears and humming noises. The check engine light will also turn on.

Righteous Auto Care in Racine, WI, can run a diagnostic test to determine the cause of any check engine warning you might receive. Call us today for an appointment.