MAF SensorĪnother cause of a flashing Check Engine light can be the mass air flow sensor or MAF sensor. If you delay misfire repairs, you can cause additional problems like a flooded engine or catalytic converter failure. The repair isn’t usually difficult or overly expensive, but it is critical to ensuring reliable operation. When the fuel doesn’t ignite properly, or there’s no spark at all, it’s known as a misfire.Ī misfire will turn on your check engine light for sure, and severe misfires will set your Check Engine light blinking. These parts are responsible for igniting the fuel in each engine cylinder.
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That includes spark plugs, ignition cables, or an ignition coil. If you have your Check Engine light flashing, it’s likely due to an ignition system problem in some way. If the engine has overheated, the head gasket and more might need to be replaced. It’s when the temperature gauge spikes into the red zone that the Check Gauges light comes on, or an Engine Hot warning displays. If the thermostat is stuck closed, your engine can easily overheat. If the thermostat gets stuck open, the engine may never reach its optimal temperature for proper operation. In the cooling system, the most common failure is the thermostat, a bimetal component that regulates your engine temperature through coolant flow. ThermostatĪ cooling system concern can also illuminate the Check Engine light or set off your Check Gauges light. Often, tightening the cap is enough, but the fuel cap might need to be replaced if the seal is broken. Some vehicles have a ‘check fuel cap’ warning or a Service Engine Soon light that may come on for the same reason. If your fuel cap is loose or doesn’t seal well, the Check Engine light will come on. Your car’s diagnostic systems check the fuel system for leaks this way.
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It seals the filler neck, allowing the fuel system to become pressurized. The fuel cap does more than just prevent fuel from spilling out. Yes, even a loose fuel cap can cause the Check Engine light to come on. Unfortunately, the catalytic converter is one of the more expensive repairs you may need to tackle. You might notice a very unpleasant rotten egg odor or a rattling noise underneath your vehicle also. If the catalytic converter is on its way out, you’ll have the Check Engine light on. The process turns pollutant chemicals like nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons into harmless elements like carbon dioxide and water. It superheats the unburned particles that flow out your exhaust pipe.
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Since 1981, every car manufactured for the US market has been equipped with a catalytic converter. It can cause your engine to run lean, which could result in permanent, debilitating engine damage over the long haul. If an oxygen sensor is faulty, you could see a drop in fuel efficiency or poor engine performance. The most common cause of an illuminated Check Engine light according to CarMD is a faulty oxygen sensor. Their purpose is to measure the emissions in the exhaust, and the readings are used to adjust your engine’s performance in real-time. Most vehicles have at least two oxygen sensors, an upstream and a downstream. Take a look at a handful of typical warning light causes: Oxygen Sensor It could be a simple, harmless problem or it could be the precursor to a major meltdown.
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Your car’s diagnostic systems, from the ABS brakes, emissions systems, and engine diagnostic controls, can all be the cause of your car warning lights.