What Causes the Engine Warning Light to Illuminate and Lack of Power When Accelerating?
2 Answers
Reasons for the engine warning light illumination: Exhaust emissions not meeting standards: Factors such as poor fuel quality, failed catalytic converter, excessive carbon buildup in the intake manifold, clogged fuel injectors, malfunctioning oxygen sensors, or occasional engine misfires can all trigger the engine warning light. Among these, poor fuel quality is the most common cause. Poor engine system performance: Issues like faulty throttle pedal sensors, throttle position sensors, mass airflow sensors, crankshaft position sensors, or poor electrical connections can lead to the engine warning light turning on. Transmission system faults in some vehicles: Problems such as internal transmission failures, slipping, or overheating.
I also encountered the issue of the engine warning light coming on and lack of power during acceleration when driving before. That time, my car had incomplete ignition due to worn-out spark plugs, causing sluggish performance when stepping on the gas. The engine light indicates that the ECU has detected an abnormality, and lack of power during acceleration is often related to an imbalance in the air-fuel mixture—it could be due to an air intake system leak or a dirty mass airflow sensor misleading the ECU into calculating insufficient fuel injection. Alternatively, fuel system issues like a weak low-pressure fuel pump failing to supply enough fuel or clogged fuel injectors can also cause uneven fuel distribution. I recommend stopping the car immediately and taking it to a repair shop to read the fault codes for diagnosis. A common code like P0171 indicates a lean air-fuel mixture. In my case, fixing it cost less than a thousand yuan by replacing the ignition coils, and the car returned to normal. Other causes include faulty oxygen sensors sending incorrect data that limits output or turbocharger leaks leading to loss of function. Addressing the issue early prevents major repairs—safety first.
