What are the reasons for the engine fault warning light to illuminate?
3 Answers
The reasons for the engine fault warning light to illuminate are: 1. Poor combustion state; 2. Poor fuel quality; 3. Dirty engine cylinder interior with carbon deposits. The engine fault signal on the car dashboard is issued by the ECU (Engine Control Unit), which controls all electronic devices of the entire engine, such as the electronic throttle, fuel injectors, alternator, fuel pump, etc., covering various systems including intake, exhaust, fuel, ignition, and timing. When the engine fault light comes on, the owner should start and turn off the vehicle three times in a row, or disconnect the negative terminal of the engine battery, wait for 30 seconds, and then reconnect it.
The engine warning light may indicate that the system has detected an issue, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, which is quite common in the eyes of experienced drivers. Aging sensors can provide inaccurate readings, triggering the light. Another possibility is a stuck fuel injector causing uneven fuel supply and affecting performance—I've personally encountered a similar situation and spent some money to fix it. It's advisable not to delay repairs, as prolonged issues could potentially damage the engine further. A clogged air filter might also cause problems, so remember to replace it regularly. For safety, it's best to visit a professional shop early and use an OBD scanner to read the trouble codes for a thorough diagnosis.
Last time I was driving, the light suddenly came on and scared me quite a bit. It turned out to be worn spark plugs causing abnormal ignition, which triggered the engine warning light. It could also be due to dirty engine oil leading to insufficient lubrication and triggering the warning, or an aging battery causing unstable voltage and sensor false alarms. Continuing to drive might result in engine shaking or even stalling, which is unsafe. I suggest that if you encounter a similar situation, first pull over to check basic things like engine oil level, but don't push your luck—contact a repair shop promptly to use diagnostic tools for reading trouble codes, which is more reliable.
