Is Your Check Engine Light On?

Should You Ignore an Illuminated Check Engine Light?

An illuminated check engine light (CEL) on your dashboard is one car warning light that you should never ignore. This light will not pop on unless there’s an issue, either seen or unseen, that must be addressed immediately.

What problems can trigger your check engine light to come on? The certified mechanics at Precision Imports in Manchester, New Hampshire, are here to tell you more.

Why is My Check Engine Light On?

Some potential reasons for an illuminated check engine light include:

Loose gas cap: One of the simplest explanations behind an illuminated check engine light is a loose gas cap. If your CEL pops on after you’ve fueled up, pull over and check to see if your gas cap needs to be tightened.

Clogged catalytic converter: Another culprit behind your check engine light being on is a clogged catalytic converter. If this is the issue, you may also notice the smell of rotten eggs. Bring your car to an auto repair shop if you think your catalytic converters are clogged. Otherwise, your engine could overheat.

Faulty spark plugs or wires: If the spark plugs or wires in your engine are worn out, this could trigger the check engine light. You could also experience engine misfiring, which feels like your engine has suddenly jolted.

Bad oxygen sensor: If your vehicle’s oxygen (O2) sensor is malfunctioning, your check engine light will come on. An oxygen sensor typically lasts for about 100,000 miles on most modern cars. After this, it might stop working correctly.

Engine control unit problems: Your engine control unit is the main computer chip inside of your car. It talks with system sensors to make the proper adjustments to keep your engine efficiently operating. If your engine control unit starts malfunctioning, your CEL might come on.

Manchester’s Seasoned Check Engine Light Diagnostics Team

Call Precision Imports in Manchester, New Hampshire, today if your check engine light is on. We’ll perform a test on your diagnostics system to find the cause of your illuminated CEL and quickly resolve the issue.

To book your appointment, call us today at [as_phone].