What is the reason for a faucet-like light on the dashboard?
4 Answers
The reasons for a faucet-like light on the dashboard are: 1. Faulty spark plugs, ignition coils, fuel pump, or clogged fuel lines in the engine; 2. Poor contact in sensors for water temperature, crankshaft position, air flow, intake temperature, or oxygen sensors; 3. Poor fuel quality causing engine wear and triggering the warning light; 4. Excessive carbon buildup altering the engine's design parameters. The faucet-like light is the engine warning light. The function of the engine is to convert the thermal energy of gasoline or diesel into mechanical energy by burning it in a sealed cylinder, producing expanding gases that push the piston to perform work. Internal combustion engines typically convert chemical energy into mechanical energy.
That day, as soon as I got on the highway, I noticed a yellow light on the dashboard that looked like a faucet—it was actually the engine malfunction indicator light. I remember my car had the same issue last year, and I thought it was a minor problem at first, but it almost left me stranded. The mechanic said that when this light comes on, it usually indicates an issue with the emission system, such as carbon buildup on the oxygen sensor or reduced efficiency of the catalytic converter. It could also be due to aging spark plugs causing poor ignition or insufficient fuel pump pressure leading to an incorrect air-fuel mixture. You might not notice it during short trips, but on long drives, you’ll likely experience a significant drop in power and a spike in fuel consumption. I suggest not delaying like I did—get the trouble codes read with a diagnostic tool as soon as possible. Even if the car seems drivable for now, don’t take it lightly. Ignoring small issues can damage critical engine components. A friend of mine pushed it for two weeks and ended up having to replace the entire exhaust system, costing him thousands more.
As an automotive enthusiast, I've studied this warning light with the faucet symbol. Its official name is the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp), which essentially indicates an engine management system alert. Common triggers fall into three categories: sensor-related issues like intake pressure sensor signal drift; combustion problems such as ignition coil leakage causing misfires; and emission-related faults like a stuck charcoal canister solenoid valve. Once during my own troubleshooting, I discovered it was simply caused by a loose fuel cap triggering evaporative leakage. I recommend first using an OBD scanner to read specific trouble codes rather than blindly replacing parts. As a temporary measure, you can try restarting the vehicle, but if the light flashes or turns red, you must stop immediately. For prevention, always use quality gasoline and change the air filter regularly.
The water droplet warning light suddenly came on when I picked up my child from school the day before yesterday, which immediately made me nervous. My husband said it's the engine emission fault indicator light that must be taken seriously. Common causes include clogged fuel injectors, leaking crankcase ventilation valves, or exhaust system leaks. He reminded me to pull over immediately if accompanied by vehicle shaking or abnormal noises. Nowadays, new cars are all connected, and you can actually check fault codes through mobile apps. Last week, my neighbor kept driving with the light on, resulting in a red-hot and smoking exhaust pipe. For safety, I went to the 4S shop that same day, and the diagnosis showed it was a faulty rear oxygen sensor - replacing it fixed the issue. The mechanic suggested developing a habit of checking the dashboard during cold starts.
