What Causes the Engine Warning Light to Illuminate in a Newly Purchased 2021 Buick Excelle?
2 Answers
The engine warning light in a Buick Excelle may illuminate due to the following 7 main reasons: Sensor Malfunction: The sensors referred to here include those for coolant temperature, crankshaft position, air flow, intake temperature, oxygen levels, etc. When these sensors are damaged, have poor connections, or their signals are interrupted, the vehicle's ECU cannot accurately obtain engine data, leading to the illumination of the engine warning light. Fuel Quality Issues: Failure to add fuel and engine oil as required by the manufacturer may cause engine wear, resulting in the warning light turning on. Poor Combustion of Air-Fuel Mixture: Poor combustion can lead to engine carbon buildup or knocking. Once detected by the oxygen sensor and reported to the ECU, the warning light will illuminate as a caution. Spark plug failure, ignition coil issues, fuel pump malfunction, and fuel line blockages can all cause poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture. Turbocharger Problems: The intake turbo piping and turbocharger can also trigger the engine warning light. The most common issue is turbocharger damage, accompanied by symptoms such as oil leaks, excessive oil consumption, reduced power, metallic noises, and blue or black smoke from the exhaust. Intake Issues: Problems with the vehicle's air intake can lead to engine pipe blockages, and in severe cases, cause the engine warning light to illuminate. A dirty air filter that hasn't been cleaned regularly can result in intake problems. Exhaust Issues: Exhaust system failures can also cause the engine warning light to turn on. Causes include faults in the rear oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, exhaust camshaft, and bearings, with the catalytic converter being the most common culprit. The use of leaded gasoline, lead or silicon-containing lubricant additives, physical damage to the catalytic converter, and fuel supply system malfunctions can easily lead to catalytic converter issues. Anti-Theft System Malfunction: If the vehicle's electronic anti-theft system fails, or if the anti-theft controller does not match the engine electronic controller, the anti-theft system can prevent the engine from operating normally and cause the warning light to illuminate. If the engine warning light is on, follow these steps: First, check if the engine is running normally and look for signs of shaking, black smoke, etc. If present, avoid restarting the engine. Note: Do not restart the engine if the light is red. If the engine can be started, turn it off and wait for 5-10 minutes. Without pressing the brake, press the start button once or turn the key halfway to the 'on' position without depressing the clutch. The vehicle will enter self-check mode upon powering up. Wait for 5-10 seconds to see if the warning light turns off. If the warning light remains on, visit a service station as soon as possible. Technicians can use a portable diagnostic tool to read the fault codes, identify the issue, and perform targeted repairs.
When I just bought the 2021 Excelle, I encountered the engine warning light issue, which is quite common in new cars. One possible reason is improper sensor calibration, such as the oxygen sensor or mass airflow sensor detecting abnormal data and falsely reporting errors; another could be minor issues like a loose fuel cap, causing the engine to think there's a leak and triggering the light. Additionally, if the new car has been in inventory for a long time, carbon buildup in the battery or fuel system can also activate the warning. I recommend first checking if the fuel cap is tightened properly, then trying to turn off and restart the engine. If the light remains on, don't delay—contact the 4S店 immediately to read the fault codes with professional tools. New cars are under warranty, and they can fix it for free. Delaying might affect engine performance or fuel consumption. Pay attention to break-in period maintenance during daily driving to prevent such issues.
