What are the reasons for the ATSL engine warning light to come on?

1 Answers
Lance
07/29/25 12:31pm
Sensor issues, engine misfire, car maintenance problems, fuel quality issues, poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture, engine intake problems, turbocharging issues, exhaust problems, and anti-theft system malfunctions are all primary reasons for the engine warning light to illuminate. Additionally, during vehicle startup, the car performs a self-check on the engine system. Normally, the engine warning light will turn off after the self-check is completed. If it remains on for an extended period, you should promptly visit a repair station to seek professional assistance for inspection and to eliminate potential safety hazards. Below is a detailed explanation of each type of fault: Sensor Issues: Sensors include coolant temperature, crankshaft position, air flow, intake temperature, oxygen sensors, etc. When these sensors are damaged, have poor contact, or experience signal interruption, the car's ECU cannot accurately obtain engine data, which will cause the engine warning light to illuminate. Solution: If such problems occur, promptly visit a repair center for professional inspection and timely elimination of safety hazards. Maintenance Issues: Poor engine maintenance is the most common cause of the engine warning light illuminating. Vehicles have specific maintenance cycles. If maintenance is not performed on schedule, combined with poor driving habits, the burden on the engine will increase, eventually causing the engine warning light to illuminate as a reminder of a fault. Solution: Follow the time or mileage specified in your car's maintenance manual to perform comprehensive maintenance on the vehicle, eliminating issues caused by lack of maintenance. Fuel Quality Issues: This refers to both fuel and engine oil. The fuel added to a car usually has a specific octane rating, and engine oil can be semi-synthetic or fully synthetic. Manufacturers generally recommend which fuel octane rating and type of engine oil to use. If the owner does not follow these recommendations, long-term use can cause engine wear, leading to the warning light illuminating. Solution: Use the appropriate fuel octane rating and engine oil as specified for your vehicle. Poor Combustion of Air-Fuel Mixture: Faulty spark plugs, fuel pump issues, or clogged fuel lines can cause poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the engine. Poor combustion leads to engine carbon buildup or knocking, which is detected by the engine's oxygen sensors and reported to the ECU, triggering the warning light. Solution: Check the engine ignition coils and spark plugs; inspect the performance of related sensors, such as (front/rear) oxygen sensors, coolant temperature sensors, intake temperature sensors, throttle position sensors, air flow meters, intake manifold pressure sensors, etc.; check the air filter for contamination—if clogged, it can cause an overly rich mixture, requiring cleaning or replacement (as needed); inspect the fuel injectors for leaks and the performance of the fuel pressure regulator, as malfunctions can also lead to an overly rich mixture. It is recommended to visit a professional 4S shop to inspect the relevant sensors and engine control unit. Intake Issues: During engine combustion, air intake is necessary, and the air filter plays a crucial role. If the car's air filter is dirty or not cleaned regularly, it can affect the intake. Prolonged neglect can lead to clogging, which may cause the engine warning light to illuminate. Solution: Regularly clean or replace the car's air filter to ensure the proper functioning of the intake system. Turbocharging Issues: Intake turbocharging pipes and turbochargers can also cause the engine warning light to illuminate. The most common issue is a damaged turbocharger, accompanied by symptoms such as oil leaks, excessive oil consumption, reduced power, metallic noises, or blue/black smoke from the exhaust. Solution: Visit a 4S shop to inspect and replace the turbocharger. Generally, repairs for such issues are not cost-effective, and direct replacement is recommended. Exhaust Issues: Rear oxygen sensors, catalytic converters, exhaust camshafts, and bearings can cause the engine warning light to illuminate. The most common issue is a faulty catalytic converter, which can be caused by physical damage or fuel system malfunctions. Solution: Use lead- or silicon-based lubricants to maintain and clean the catalytic converter. Anti-Theft System: If the car's electronic anti-theft system malfunctions or the anti-theft controller does not match the engine electronic controller, the anti-theft system can prevent the engine from operating normally, causing the warning light to illuminate. Solution: Visit a professional repair shop for a systematic inspection by professionals, as individual repairs are not feasible.
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