What does the engine fault warning light mean?
2 Answers
Engine fault warning light indicates a malfunction in the engine, which can be caused by: 1. Poor-quality gasoline or excessive carbon buildup in the engine, leading to poor combustion; 2. Faulty oxygen sensor in the engine; 3. Clogged fuel injectors or intake valves due to carbon deposits. The engine fault light turns on during the vehicle's self-check when the ignition is switched on and should go off once the engine starts running. If the light stays on or flashes while driving, it indicates an engine issue, and the vehicle should be stopped for inspection. Not all instances of the engine fault light mean the car cannot be driven. If there are no unusual noises from the engine bay, no other warning lights on the dashboard, no impact on vehicle power, and the transmission shifts gears normally, you can continue driving to the nearest 4S shop for further diagnosis.
Having driven for many years, I know that when the engine warning light comes on, there's definitely something wrong with the engine. This little yellow light indicates that the vehicle's computer has detected an abnormal signal, which could come from multiple sources: for example, a faulty oxygen sensor in the exhaust system can affect the air-fuel mixture ratio, causing the light to illuminate; aging spark plugs or damaged coils in the ignition system might also trigger it; and fuel issues like clogged fuel injectors can lead to incomplete combustion. I once ignored the light, and it ended up costing me thousands more to repair a damaged catalytic converter. Now I understand that you shouldn't delay when the light comes on—it's best to immediately find a repair shop to read the fault codes with a diagnostic tool and address the root cause. Regular maintenance can prevent many such issues, like periodically checking the cleanliness of sensors, which has saved me a lot of trouble.
