What Does It Mean When the Car Engine Light Comes On?
3 Answers
Car engine light comes on for the following reasons: 1. Sensor damage, poor contact, or signal interruption; 2. Poor engine maintenance; 3. Failure to add engine oil as required; 4. Poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture; 5. Intake problems. Solutions: 1. Clean the engine; 2. Use higher-grade gasoline. The car engine is the device that provides power to the car, serving as the heart of the vehicle, determining its power, fuel efficiency, stability, and environmental friendliness. Depending on the power source, car engines can be categorized into diesel engines, gasoline engines, electric vehicle motors, hybrids, etc.
I've also experienced the engine light coming on after driving my car for a long time. Essentially, it means the vehicle's computer has detected something wrong with the engine system. The most common cause is fuel quality issues—using low-quality gasoline can cause abnormal oxygen sensor readings. Another possibility is malfunctioning sensors, such as the throttle position sensor or mass airflow sensor. It could also be due to aging spark plugs causing poor ignition or a clogged catalytic converter affecting emissions. I once encountered a situation where the car shook during acceleration, and it turned out to be clogged fuel injectors. I recommend paying attention to whether there are other warning lights on the dashboard, as accompanying symptoms are crucial. If the light is on without other issues, check if the fuel cap is tightened properly. If there's shaking, poor acceleration, or similar symptoms, visit a professional repair shop early to read the fault codes for diagnosis. Don't try to fix it yourself and complicate the problem.
The issue of the engine warning light coming on is something I frequently encounter at the repair shop. Essentially, it means the engine management system has detected abnormal data, and the computer thinks something is wrong. The main causes fall into three categories: first, faulty sensor signals, such as issues with the crankshaft position sensor or oxygen sensor; second, actuator failures, like insufficient fuel pressure causing poor fuel injection or aging ignition coils; third, emission system failures, typically a clogged catalytic converter or a stuck exhaust gas recirculation valve. We usually advise the owner to turn off the engine and restart it three times. If the light remains on, don’t delay. It’s best to directly read the trouble codes to pinpoint the issue. Common codes like P0171 (fuel system too lean) or P0420 (catalyst efficiency below threshold) can accurately identify the problem area.
