Can The Service Engine Light Turn On If The Car Needs A Tune Up

While your car can't talk, it communicates with you using chimes, icons, and messages. Ane icon that you should never ignore is the orangish, engine-shaped i that is usually plant in the musical instrument cluster. It turns on when the car's onboard calculator detects a problem.

Don't panic if you meet it — information technology doesn't necessarily mean y'all'll demand to give your next paycheck to the nearest mechanic. Problems that trigger a check engine low-cal are sometimes basic and quick to fix. Don't ignore information technology, either, and get it checked out every bit quickly as possible.

Hither are the ten most mutual problems that tin can trigger a bank check engine light. Keep in heed that the error code that caused the lite to turn on in the first place is stored in your motorcar'due south onboard computer, and you lot tin can retrieve information technology using a unproblematic Bluetooth-powered device linked to an app to get a precise thought of what exactly is incorrect under the hood. Doing this on your own will salve y'all coin in the long run.

Oxygen sensor failure

The oxygen sensor (sometimes called an O2 sensor) measures the amount of unburnt oxygen in a car's frazzle system. It sends information to the vehicle's estimator, which uses information technology to regulate the mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders. An engine will keep running even if an O2 sensor needs to be replaced, but it will burn more fuel than usual. In the long run, a bad O2 sensor can impairment components similar spark plugs and the catalytic converter. It may also cause a automobile to fail an emissions test.

On average, a quality O2 sensor will set you dorsum almost $175, merely the price of labor will vary greatly depending on the vehicle'due south brand and model, as well as your geographical location. Finally, keep in listen that well-nigh late-model cars have more than than one O2 sensor.

Loose fuel cap

A loose fuel cap is one of the virtually common reasons why the check engine light turns on. The cap is a crucial function of a car'south fuel delivery system. It notably prevents gasoline fumes from leaving the fuel tank, and it helps go on the whole system under the correct pressure.

If your check engine light turns on immediately afterward a fill-up, pull over and make sure the cap isn't loose — or still on your car'southward roof. Sometimes the cap needs to be replaced, but it'south not a problem that'south going to hit your wallet hard. Near auto parts stores behave universal-fit gas caps that cost somewhere in the vicinity of $15.

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Catalytic converter failure

The catalytic converter is integrated into a vehicle's frazzle system. It turns the carbon monoxide generated during the combustion process into carbon dioxide. It'southward a fairly uncomplicated part, and its failure tin often be prevented. That's proficient news because a new one costs between $200 and $600 depending on the brand and model. Every late-model automobile that runs on gasoline has a catalytic converter.

Performing regular maintenance (such as oil changes) on time is cardinal to keeping your car's catalytic converter in working order. If y'all live in the city and mostly bulldoze short distances, take your automobile on the highway every now and then to ensure the catalytic converter doesn't go clogged. And as always, keep your optics and ears open for unusual sounds or discolored fume coming from the exhaust.

Spark plug/ignition roll issues

Put simply, an ignition coil generates the electricity the spark plugs need to ignite the fuel and air mixture in the cylinders. Classic cars accept a single coil, only many modernistic vehicles use ane whorl per cylinder (information technology'south ofttimes called a coil pack). If your ride has a V8 nether the hood, you could have eight separate coils. The monstrous Bugatti Chiron has 16. No matter how many you have though, a malfunctioning coil volition almost certainly trigger the check engine light, but recall, if your motorcar burns diesel, yous have neither ignition coils nor spark plugs.

Speaking of spark plugs, worn or fouled plugs can crusade a variety of issues including an engine misfire and hesitation under heavy dispatch. A worn coil can exhibit the same symptoms, and it can cause the car to shut off unexpectedly. A quality spark plug costs betwixt $10 and $twenty, while a scroll is generally in the $50 range. Changing your own spark plugs is also easier than it sounds.

Bad spark plug wires

As its proper name implies, a spark plug wire transfers electricity from the coil to the spark plug. Without information technology, the fuel and air mixture in the cylinders wouldn't ignite. The vast majority of cars employ a single wire per cylinder, merely there are models — notably, some older Mercedes-Benzes — with two spark plugs per cylinder and, consequently, two wires. Keep in mind that most newer cars exercise not use spark plug wires, however.

Symptoms of bad spark plug wires include a crude idle, a noticeable driblet in engine performance, and lower gas mileage. Expect to spend about $l on a fix of plug wires. Swapping them out is easy — information technology takes a few minutes and requires no special tools or knowledge.

Mass airflow sensor failure

The mass airflow (MAF) sensor monitors how much air enters the engine. It's a office of the engine-direction system, so your car wouldn't be able to adjust to changes in altitude without it. Symptoms of an MAF failure include a crude idle, trouble starting, and a sudden change in the position of the throttle pedal. Reduced gas mileage and stalling tin also indicate a MAF problem.

A MAF for a belatedly-model auto typically costs betwixt $120 and $150.

Issues with an aftermarket alarm

An aftermarket alarm system tin can wreak havoc on your auto if information technology's non installed properly. It can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. Then, when you least wait it, information technology'll go off in the eye of the night because a leaf from an oak tree fell on the hood.

If the above issues sound familiar, yous'll demand to have the alarm fixed, reinstalled, or replaced entirely by a competent mechanic. Getting information technology done correct in the starting time identify might cost a piffling flake more, just the peace of mind that comes with having a fully functional alarm is priceless.

Vacuum leak

Every auto has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The restriction booster is vacuum-operated, and the vacuum arrangement as well helps lower emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine. If your automobile's idle begins to surge or settles at an unusually loftier rpm, a vacuum leak could be the culprit.

Vacuum hoses can dry out and crack every bit they age, particularly if they're exposed to intense heat or extreme cold. This is the nearly common crusade of vacuum leaks. Other common issues include croaky fittings and loose connections. Vacuum lines cost merely a few bucks each, only tracing the source of the leak can be time-consuming — and expensive if you're not performing the piece of work yourself.

Frazzle gas recirculation valve failure

Exhaust gas recirculation valve — Dmitrii Bachtub/123rf

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) arrangement lowers the amount of nitrogen oxide that comes out of the car's engine and helps it run more efficiently. It directs the hot exhaust gases dorsum into the combustion chambers, which makes fuel easier to burn down. Information technology also reduces emissions.

The EGR valve can become chock-full or fail entirely. If you're even slightly mechanically inclined, you can remove the valve, clean it, and reinstall it in a relatively short amount of time. If the valve needs to be replaced, expect to pay at to the lowest degree $125 for a brand-new, OEM-quality unit.

Dead battery

The bombardment is as simple as it is important; without information technology, your car won't offset. Today'southward batteries last much longer than before and they're maintenance-free. The price of a new one depends on the type of motorcar you drive, but plan on spending at least $100 for a quality battery.

Irresolute or charging a battery on your own is a relatively easy chore, but keep in mind that in some late-model cars, it's cached under countless plastic covers, and information technology might be a little difficult to access. Also, annotation that disconnecting the battery will oftentimes reset your stereo organization. If you don't have the lawmaking, ask your local dealer for it earlier y'all unbolt the positive and negative terminals. Otherwise, y'all'll be driving in silence.

My check engine light is on. At present what?

Modernistic cars are brimming with high-tech bells and whistles, but you lot inexplicably even so demand a separate, aftermarket device to decipher why the check engine light is on. Most motorists simply take their car to the dealership. That'south the easy style out, but information technology's likewise the well-nigh expensive route to take. If you want to skip a trip to the repair shop, spend a few dollars on a Bluetooth-compatible OBD 2 scanner (or a more advanced adapter) and download a compatible app like Torque from either the Google Play Store or Apple tree's App Shop. You tin become the tool and the app for less than $15, which isn't bad because many shops charge between $l and $100 to pull codes from the ECU.

Prepare? Offset by finding your motorcar's OBD Two port. It'south usually in the commuter'south footwell, non far from the hood release, but sometimes it's hidden backside the center console or in a compartment built into the flooring. Plug in the scanner, launch the app on your phone, and the error codes stored in the car's ECU will appear on the screen. Sometimes the codes are clearly explained; other times, you'll need to do a bit of searching to effigy out what something similar P1301 ways. Repair manuals are useful for deciphering codes, but Google usually has the answer.

Error codes are a useful diagnostic tool that tin can aid y'all figure out where to start when your auto needs a repair; just be careful to understand their limitations. Mistake codes don't always tell the full story.

In one case, when working on a relative'southward auto that had lost all power, the ECU codes indicated a trouble with the turbo. But the issue wasn't with the office itself — it was a cracked vacuum hose. Long story short: Having a list of codes at your disposal doesn't always mean a straightforward solution. You may need to spend a few minutes (or, at worst, a couple of hours) poking around the engine bay to find the issue.

There are professional-grade code scanners that are more precise but too much more expensive. The scanner tin can only give yous a code; you also need in-depth noesis of what each code ways or a useful way to find out. Alternatively, some auto parts stores will run a diagnostic test for gratis. However, getting a Bluetooth scanner and an app will relieve you time and coin while making you more than automobile-savvy. Make certain the unit you pick is uniform with your car before buying it. Some cheaper scanners won't work with every make and model, and so it pays to do your research.

Volition the check engine light tell me when I should gear up my motorcar?

The check engine low-cal provides an idea — sometimes precise, sometimes vague — of what'southward wrong with a car. However, it does not supplant a skilled mechanic or routine maintenance.

In other words, don't wait until the cheque engine lite comes on to get your car maintenance done. The ECU will non warn you that the h2o pump is about to fail, that one of the ball joints is worn, or that the A/C will end blowing cold air in mid-August. Many people think that the check engine lite serves the same purpose every bit a check-up reminder when information technology really alerts y'all that you're probably due for a repair. By that betoken, the harm has already happened in many cases.

You can think of machine maintenance as a two-pace procedure. The starting time and almost disquisitional is routine, preventative maintenance. You lot should do these tune-ups on a schedule and not in response to whatsoever problems. The second is timely diagnostic maintenance which is responsive to changes similar new sounds, smells, or feelings as you drive.

You also want to be familiar with your motorcar's basic needs, like how often to change the oil and coolant or replace brake pads. A little research into your specific vehicle and basic mechanics can save you time and money in the long run. If you're consequent with a regular maintenance routine, you may never see that piffling orange engine light pop on at all.

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