The engine warning light in the Journey may illuminate due to the following 7 main reasons: Sensor malfunction: The sensors referred to here include coolant temperature, crankshaft position, air flow, intake air temperature, oxygen sensors, etc. When these sensors are damaged, have poor contact, or their signals are interrupted, the vehicle's ECU cannot accurately obtain engine data, which will trigger the engine warning light. Fuel and oil quality issues: If fuel and engine oil are not added as required by the manufacturer, it may cause engine wear, leading to the warning light illuminating. Poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture: Poor combustion can cause engine carbon buildup or knocking. When detected by the oxygen sensor and reported to the ECU, the warning light will illuminate as a warning. Issues such as spark plug failure, ignition coil failure, fuel pump failure, or clogged fuel lines can all lead to poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture. Turbocharging issues: Problems with the intake turbocharging pipeline or turbocharger can also cause the engine warning light to illuminate. The most common issue is turbocharger damage, accompanied by symptoms such as oil leaks, excessive oil consumption, reduced power, metallic noises, or blue/black smoke from the exhaust. Intake issues: If there is a problem with the vehicle's intake, it may lead to engine pipeline blockages, and in severe cases, the engine warning light will illuminate. A dirty air filter that is not cleaned regularly can cause intake problems. Exhaust issues: Exhaust faults can also trigger the engine warning light. Common causes include rear oxygen sensor failure, catalytic converter issues, exhaust camshaft and bearing failures, with the catalytic converter being the most frequent culprit. The use of leaded gasoline, lead or silicon-based lubricant additives, physical damage to the catalytic converter, or fuel system malfunctions can easily lead to catalytic converter failure. Anti-theft system malfunction: If the vehicle's electronic anti-theft system malfunctions or if the anti-theft controller does not match the engine electronic controller, the anti-theft system can prevent the engine from operating normally, and the engine warning light will illuminate. If the engine warning light illuminates, follow these steps: First, check if the engine is running normally, looking for issues such as shaking or black smoke. If present, avoid restarting the engine. Note: Do not restart the engine if the red warning light is on. If the engine can be started, turn it off for 5-10 minutes, then without pressing the brake, press the start button once or turn the key halfway to the 'on' position without depressing the clutch. The vehicle will perform a self-check after powering on. Wait 5-10 seconds to see if the warning light turns off. If the warning light remains on, visit a service center as soon as possible. The service center can use a portable diagnostic tool to read the fault codes, identify the issue, and perform targeted repairs.
