Will a misfiring cylinder trigger the check engine light?
2 Answers
Misfiring cylinders will trigger the check engine light, usually a yellow warning light. Engine misfire primarily refers to one or more cylinders not functioning properly. After an engine misfire occurs, it can lead to increased fuel consumption, black smoke emissions, weak acceleration, severe shaking, and louder engine noise. It also makes the vehicle prone to stalling. To diagnose a misfiring cylinder, observe noticeable body shaking at idle. Check the exhaust pipe outlet—the exhaust flow will show obvious intermittency, accompanied by significant pipe vibration and a distinct "popping" sound. Additionally, at low RPMs around 2000, the vehicle body shakes noticeably with weak acceleration, while the shaking sensation reduces at higher RPMs. This phenomenon is often related to ignition coil issues.
Misfiring usually triggers the warning light, which I've personally experienced. Last year, my car's engine suddenly started shaking violently. When the check engine light came on, I initially thought it was a minor issue. Later at the repair shop, the mechanic used a diagnostic tool and found misfire codes. He explained that modern cars have sensitive sensors - when a cylinder stops working, the ECU detects rotational imbalance through the crankshaft position sensor and illuminates the warning light. Misfires can be caused by faulty ignition coils or spark plug issues. Delaying repairs can lead to skyrocketing fuel consumption and potential emission violations. After replacing the spark plugs, the light went off and the car returned to normal. So I recommend addressing illuminated warning lights promptly.
