What Causes the Infiniti Engine Warning Light to Illuminate?

[LaKate]

The engine warning light may illuminate due to the following 7 main reasons: Sensor malfunction: This includes sensors such as coolant temperature, crankshaft position, air flow, intake temperature, and oxygen sensors. When these sensors are damaged, have poor connections, or experience signal interruptions, the vehicle's ECU cannot accurately obtain engine data, triggering the engine warning light. Fuel/oil quality issues: Failure to use fuel and engine oil as specified by the manufacturer may cause engine wear, leading to the warning light activation. Poor fuel mixture combustion: Incomplete combustion can cause engine carbon buildup or knocking. When detected by oxygen sensors and reported to the ECU, the warning light will illuminate. Spark plug failure, ignition coil issues, fuel pump malfunction, or fuel line blockages can all contribute to poor combustion. Turbocharger problems: Issues with the intake boost piping or turbocharger can trigger the warning light. The most common is turbocharger damage, often accompanied by oil leaks, excessive oil consumption, reduced power, metallic noises, or blue/black exhaust smoke. Intake system issues: Air intake problems may lead to engine pipe blockages, potentially triggering the warning light. A dirty air filter that hasn't been regularly cleaned can cause intake issues. Exhaust system problems: Exhaust faults can also activate the warning light. Common causes include rear oxygen sensor failure, catalytic converter issues, or exhaust camshaft and bearing problems. Using leaded gasoline, lead/silicon-containing lubricant additives, physical damage to the catalytic converter, or fuel system malfunctions often cause catalytic converter failure. Anti-theft system malfunction: If the electronic anti-theft system fails or the anti-theft controller doesn't match the engine ECU, the system may prevent normal engine operation while illuminating the warning light. When the engine warning light illuminates, follow these steps: First check if the engine is operating normally. If there's noticeable shaking, black smoke, or other abnormalities, avoid restarting the engine. Particularly important - never restart if the red warning light is on. If the engine can start, turn off the vehicle for 5-10 minutes. Then without pressing the brake pedal, push the start button once or turn the key halfway to the ON position (without depressing the clutch). The vehicle will initiate self-diagnosis during power-up. Observe if the warning light turns off after 5-10 seconds. If the light remains on, visit a service center promptly. Technicians can use diagnostic tools to read trouble codes, identify specific issues, and perform targeted repairs.