Top 5 Reasons Your Check Engine Light is On

A car owner’s nemesis: the Check Engine Light. No one wants to see that light illuminated because it can mean some serious repairs are in order. But what are some of the most likely causes behind your Check Engine Light suddenly coming on? The most likely cause in your case will depend on other symptoms you may notice, though a mechanic is better able to tell for sure what repairs are necessary.

Recently Fill Up on Gas? Double Check You Tightened Your Gas Cap

One of the simplest fixes is your gas cap. While it may seem small, your gas cap is actually part of a sealed system that circulates fuel. If a leak is detected that’s affecting your emissions, it can trigger your Check Engine Light. If you recently filled up on gas, double check that your gas cap is tightened correctly and give it a little time to see if the Check Engine Light turns back off.

A Loose or Worn Gas Cap Can Let Fuel Evaporate

If there’s a leak in the fuel recirculation system, your fuel economy will take a hit because you can lose fuel to evaporation. Fuel also will not recirculate properly. Luckily, if it’s the gas cap, it’s an easy fix that you can do entirely yourself. However, if your Check Engine Light doesn’t turn off after driving around for a little while, you should consider having a mechanic take a look.

Noticing A Lack of Power Accelerating? It Could Be Your Oxygen Sensors

Your oxygen sensors monitor how much unburned oxygen travels through your car’s exhaust system. If they start to wear out or fail, the ratio of air to fuel in the engine can get thrown off and lead to too much fuel being passed into the engine. This can cause difficulty accelerating and fuel economy to take a hit, as well as potentially causing damage to your catalytic converter or spark plugs. Because this has to do with your emissions, your Check Engine Light may be triggered.

Maintaining the Right Air-Fuel Ratio is Essential to a Healthy Engine

It’s also possible that signs could point to your oxygen sensors failing, while the real problem is something else. Because proper levels of fuel and air being circulated through your car’s engine is essential to a properly functioning car, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis.

Car Not Driving the Same? Your Mass Airflow Sensor May Be Failing

Another link in the chain that influences air-fuel ratio in the engine is the Mass Airflow Sensor. Rather than monitoring the amount of air going through the exhaust system, this sensor monitors the amount of air going into the engine so that the proper amount of fuel can be used. If it’s worn out, dirty, or failing, it can cause too much fuel to be sent into your engine.

Your Mass Airflow Sensor is Sensitive to Oil, Dirt, and Water Vapor

This sensor is sensitive to contaminants, so your problem could be as simple as cleaning it off. If that doesn’t do the trick, it may have to be replaced. Luckily, both of those possible solutions are simple and should solve your Check Engine Light problem, as well as improving performance for your car.

Experiencing Misfires? You May Need New Spark Plugs

Your car uses spark plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture in combustion chambers, helping to power the engine. A misfire feels a bit like a sudden jerk, whether big or small, when accelerating. It’s a sign that timing is off with some part of your engine and is very likely to trigger your Check Engine Light.

Worn Spark Plugs Can Cause Misfires

A common cause behind engine misfires is one or more worn spark plugs. Luckily, they are also a simple fix that can either be done at home, if you’re car savvy, or easily and quickly handled by a mechanic. If you know what to look for, you can take a look at your spark plugs and the connected wires to see if they look worn or corroded.

Notice a Bad Smell While Driving? It Could Be A Failing Catalytic Converter

When a catalytic converter fails, you may smell rotten eggs or sulfur when your car is running. Your car’s catalytic converter converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. This ensures that exhaust leaving your car is less harmful, since carbon monoxide is toxic and can even be fatal when inhaled.

Aside from Failing Your Next Emissions Test, You Could Face Worse Engine Problems

Typically, a catalytic converter will fail because of an outside issue, not just on its own. That means it’s important to have a trusted mechanic diagnose the problem. The underlying issue could cause more damage or even engine failure if left alone.

An AAMCO Boise Mechanic Can Check Your Codes

Whenever you see your Check Engine Light, a mechanic will be able to check which code triggered it. Car diagnostics in this case can be simple but often the underlying repair should be taken care of as soon as possible. Our expert mechanics are here to diagnose and fix any issue you’re encountering.

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