What Causes the Engine Malfunction Light to Illuminate?
2 Answers
Reasons for the engine malfunction light to illuminate: 1. Sensor damage, poor contact, or signal interruption; 2. Poor engine maintenance; 3. Poor quality fuel and engine oil; 4. Incomplete combustion of the air-fuel mixture; 5. Spark plug failure, ignition coil failure; 6. Fuel pump failure, fuel line blockage; 7. Air filter clogging. An engine is a machine capable of converting other forms of energy into mechanical energy, including internal combustion engines (reciprocating piston engines), external combustion engines (Stirling engines, steam engines, etc.), jet engines, electric motors, etc. The term engine can refer to both the power-generating device and the entire machine including the power unit.
As someone who frequently tinkers with cars, I find that the engine malfunction indicator light (MIL) coming on is a common nuisance, indicating that the vehicle's computer has detected an abnormality. Common causes include a faulty oxygen sensor, which can affect fuel consumption and emissions; aging ignition coils or spark plugs leading to ignition difficulties; fuel injection system issues such as clogging or insufficient pressure; exhaust system problems like a damaged catalytic converter; or something as simple as a loose fuel cap. These issues can result in decreased performance or excessive emissions, with the worst-case scenario being prolonged neglect leading to internal engine damage. My advice is to pull over safely as soon as the light comes on—don't keep driving blindly. Use an OBD scanner to read the trouble codes and pinpoint the cause, then take the car to a professional repair shop for inspection and part replacement. Regular maintenance, such as periodically replacing sensors and spark plugs, can prevent many of these issues.
