What Causes the Car Engine Light to Illuminate?
2 Answers
There are many reasons why the car engine light may illuminate, with a common cause being sensor malfunctions around the engine. Once the engine fault light comes on, a professional diagnostic tool should be used to read the fault codes, allowing for quick identification of the issue and its location. A car is not just a simple mechanical device; it contains numerous sensors and electronic components. Without these sensors, the car cannot operate properly. There are many sensors around the car engine, such as the knock sensor, coolant temperature sensor, camshaft position sensor, crankshaft position sensor, oil pressure sensor, intake air temperature sensor, and mass airflow sensor.
I used to help out at a repair shop and know that the reasons for the engine light coming on are varied. It could include a faulty oxygen sensor, which is the most common issue, responsible for monitoring emissions—if it gets dirty or breaks, it triggers an alarm. Damaged ignition coils or spark plugs can cause misfires. A clogged catalytic converter affects exhaust cleaning. A loose or leaking gas cap can trigger minor faults. A malfunctioning mass airflow sensor disrupts the air-fuel balance. Small issues like these can accumulate and lead to bigger problems, such as engine shaking or increased fuel consumption. So, I recommend using an OBD scanner to read the trouble codes as soon as possible and then address the specific issue. Don’t delay until the catalytic converter fails, which would increase repair costs. Regularly replacing spark plugs and air filters can prevent many of these issues.
