What Causes the Engine Light to Illuminate on the Car Dashboard?
2 Answers
Here are the possible reasons why the engine light on the car dashboard illuminates: 1. When the battery is dead, not only will the battery indicator light up, but the engine fault light will also illuminate. 2. For newly purchased cars that have not been maintained according to the specified schedule, the engine fault light may come on. 3. If the engine oil level is insufficient, the engine oil indicator will light up, and the engine fault light will also illuminate. 4. When various fluids such as antifreeze, brake fluid, or power steering fluid are low, the engine fault light will generally come on. 5. In cases where there are no actual issues with the car, the light may be triggered by false alarms in the electronic system or residual fault codes from previous issues that were resolved but not cleared.
When my car's check engine light came on, I've encountered it several times. The most common issue was a faulty oxygen sensor, which monitors exhaust emissions. If it gets dirty or damaged, the engine control unit detects excessive emissions and triggers the light. Another time, it was due to worn-out spark plugs causing incomplete combustion, leading to a sudden spike in fuel consumption. I remember when the catalytic converter got clogged, the car shook violently—fortunately, I caught it in time and replaced the part. My advice: don't delay, head to a repair shop immediately to scan for trouble codes with a diagnostic tool. The codes will pinpoint the exact issue, preventing costly major repairs. Other potential triggers include fuel system blockages or exhaust leaks—early fixes save money and peace of mind. Ignoring the light increases fuel consumption and degrades driving experience, so address it promptly.