Why Is My Check Engine Light On?
The check engine light in a vehicle is one of the scariest indicator lights of all times. Drivers immediately feel compelled to stop driving the vehicle and inspect the engine once the light comes on. The check engine light is a part of the vehicle’s enhanced computer system. Many situations can cause it to go off. The following are common causes for the check engine light:
Fuel Cap
A fuel cap that is either cracked or not properly placed can allow fuel vapors to escape from the vehicle. Such will trigger the check engine light. A driver should check the gas cap at the first flash of the check engine light. A noticeably loose gas cap can be easily fixed by tightening it. A cracked or otherwise morphed gas cap can be replaced.
Old Spark Plugs – Photo by Aidan on Flickr (creative commons)
Old and Defective Spark Plugs and Wires
Failing spark plugs and wires can cause a check engine light to come on because of the engine misfire. The misfire will also cause poor acceleration and ride inconsistency. The problem can be fixed by a quick replacement at the local auto repair shop.
Oxygen Sensor – Photo by Christopher Chen on Flickr (creative commons)
A Bad Oxygen Sensor
Oxygen sensors are important because they send data to the computer that tells the car how much fuel to burn. A poor sensor will cause an inappropriate oxygen and fuel mixture, and it will cause the check engine light to go off. A new oxygen sensor may be the perfect remedy for this situation. Vehicle owners should replace bad oxygen sensors before they cause additional problems. Many cars have more than one oxygen sensor. Therefore, a local shop would need to perform a diagnostic test to pinpoint the oxygen sensor that is causing the problem.
Faulty Engine Computer, Broken Dodge PCM, ECU, or ECM
In some cases, the check engine light is an indication of a faulty engine computer. Some vehicles that were manufactured between 1993 and 2003 have poor programming and a multitude of glitches. An unexplained check engine light might mean that the computer is malfunctioning, and the vehicle owner needs to have it checked. The glitches might worsen periodically until the car becomes inoperable. It is best for a car owner to schedule an appointment as quickly as possible.
A reliable repair shop can replace the computer system in a vehicle and return it to perfect factory condition. The right repair shop may even have it running better than it did when it came from the factory.
