What to Do When the Peugeot 408 Reports an Engine Fault?

[FrankMarie]

If the engine fault light is on, you can follow these steps: First, check if the engine is running normally and whether there are issues such as shaking or black smoke. If there are, try not to start the engine again. Especially note that you must not start the engine if the red light is on. If the engine can start, turn it off for 5-10 minutes. Then, without pressing the brake, press the start button once or turn the key halfway to the 'on' position without pressing the clutch. The car will perform a self-check after powering on. Wait for 5-10 seconds and observe whether the fault light on the dashboard turns off. If the fault light does not turn off, visit a service station as soon as possible to identify the cause. The service station can use a portable diagnostic tool to read the fault code, obtain fault information, and perform targeted repairs. There are mainly 7 reasons why the engine fault light may be on: Sensor failure: Sensors such as coolant temperature, crankshaft position, air flow, intake temperature, and oxygen sensors may be damaged, have poor contact, or experience signal interruption. When the car's ECU cannot accurately obtain engine data, the engine fault light will illuminate. Fuel or oil quality issues: If fuel or engine oil is not added as required by the manufacturer, it may cause engine wear and trigger the fault light. Poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture: Poor combustion can lead to engine carbon buildup or knocking. When detected by the oxygen sensor and reported to the ECU, the fault light will illuminate as a warning. Issues such as spark plug failure, ignition coil failure, fuel pump failure, or clogged fuel lines can cause poor combustion. Turbocharger problems: Issues with the intake boost line or turbocharger can also trigger the engine fault light. The most common issue is turbocharger damage, accompanied by symptoms like oil leaks, high oil consumption, reduced power, metallic noises, or blue/black smoke from the exhaust. Intake problems: If the car's intake system has issues, it may lead to clogged engine pipes, and in severe cases, the engine fault light will illuminate. A dirty or uncleaned air filter can cause intake problems. Exhaust problems: Exhaust system faults can also trigger the engine fault light. Common causes include rear oxygen sensor failure, catalytic converter issues, or exhaust camshaft and bearing failures. The catalytic converter is the most frequently affected part. Using leaded gasoline, lead- or silicon-based lubricant additives, physical damage to the catalytic converter, or fuel system faults can easily cause catalytic converter failure. Anti-theft system failure: If the car's electronic anti-theft system malfunctions or if the anti-theft controller does not match the engine's electronic controller, the anti-theft system can prevent the engine from operating normally and trigger the fault light.