If the check engine (Check Engine) lights up on the dashboard of the car, this makes the driver understand that a failure has occurred in any of the systems in the engine compartment. Literally translated, this error asks the motorist to “check the engine”. When almost all cars were carbureted, such a message from the electronic control unit (ECU) usually indicated something really serious, because there was a minimum of electronics in the engine. A modern vehicle can even analyze the quality of fuel and will surely scold the driver if he poured something that is not particularly “edible”. However, the total number of reasons is wide enough.
Why did the engine check on the car light up?
An engine check on the dashboard of a car appears when the electronic control unit fixes a certain question and writes it into memory in the form of a special error code. Sometimes the corresponding signal lights up statically, but it can also blink. Everything very much depends on the specific car, as well as on the reason for the check.
Poor fuel quality
Modern cars are able to record the quality of fuel. It is especially critical for relatively small turbocharged engines. Fuel with a low octane number is especially contraindicated for such people and can even be technically critical, so if the engine cannot digest newly filled gasoline or diesel, it will signal this for sure. It turns out that if the check caught fire immediately after visiting the gas station, the reason may be precisely in not particularly high-quality or generally unsuitable fuel. It is best in this case to drain the bad “fuel” and fill in a suitable one. But there may be options. Sometimes it is even necessary to wash the fuel.
Engine overheated
The engine check indicator may light up if its temperature has risen above normal. If the engine warms up much more than 90 ° C, this may indicate a malfunction of the cooling system. It is likely that antifreeze has leaked out of it – its level in the expansion tank in this case will inevitably fall. It may very well be that there is a hole in one of the radiators, a thermostat or a pump has broken. In general, the coolant does not circulate through the cooling system as needed, so the engine temperature under load rises above a critical level, and he asks for attention.
- To this topic: What liquids are in the car. Why are they changed and how often should it be done
Burned out candles or relays
If the engine began to triple, and its check came on on the dashboard, it is likely that the whole thing is in the ignition system or incorrect fuel supply. In this case, first you need to check the candles, check the integrity of the wiring and assess the viability of the high-voltage coils. If the whole point is a malfunction of the fuel system, then the “fuel” may be supplied to the cylinders in the wrong volume or not at all. By and large, if the engine began to triple (one cylinder does not work), and this is strongly felt, then the appearance of a corresponding check on the dashboard will definitely not raise any special questions.
No contact with sensors
The engine check may light up if the electronic control unit has lost communication with certain components of the engine compartment. For example, if the ECU does not see the temperature sensors of the radiator, it will immediately issue an engine check. The latter can lose contact after rough cleaning of the engine at the nearest car wash, which is generally not particularly recommended – especially on a regular basis. There are a lot of electronics in modern vehicles that can suffer from contact with liquid. It’s good if the contact just disappears temporarily. The consequences can be more serious.
Extra covers open
It is important that the covers of all openings into which liquids are filled are securely closed. For example, if the engine requires periodic topping up of oil, it is important not to forget to tighten the corresponding filler neck securely. Otherwise, foreign elements can get there. Moreover, the engine will probably swear at the moment and may even go into emergency mode. The same applies to other openings, including the gas tank, antifreeze expansion tank, and so on. In general, everything that is open must be closed.
There is mechanical damage
If a lit check is accompanied by unnecessary sounds when the engine is running, this is not a very good sign. Of course, the problem may not be so serious, but continuing to move further on its own is far from the most sensible idea. It is best to stop as quickly as possible and call a tow truck. The corresponding sound can occur if some engine components fail – they simply collapse. Of course, this is all an extreme case. However, experienced motorists are well aware that absolutely anything can happen on the road.
Is it possible to go with a check
When the check of the engine lights up on the dashboard of the car, the driver usually asks the logical question: “Is it possible to move further on its own?!” It is rather difficult to give a definite answer on this matter. It all depends on the specific breakdown, which still needs to be correctly diagnosed.
❌ When you can’t go
Further movement under its own power should definitely be abandoned if the movement of the car is characterized by less power, a transition to emergency mode and a corresponding limitation of revolutions. If, during operation, the engine vibrates noticeably or emits third-party sounds that were not there before, the movement must also be urgently stopped before the problems are resolved. If the engine temperature has risen above the permissible level, it is also undesirable to move on it. In all these cases, it is best to park your car as quickly as possible, call a tow truck and take your vehicle to the nearest service station.
✅ When can I go
Of course, the story of instantly calling a tow truck and loading a vehicle onto it is far from always realistic. If there is no way to abruptly stop the movement, and the engine does not start to work worse even after a flared error, you can call on the nearest service station and carry out computer diagnostics. The error must be counted and its severity determined. For example, if the engine simply lost contact with some sensors for a moment, but everything is fine, the error can be reset and continue driving. In general, each case should be considered individually.
What to do if the engine check is lit on the dashboard
Ideally, stop traffic, call a tow truck and bring the vehicle to the nearest verified service station to diagnose possible problems. If there are no obvious symptoms of serious engine breakdown, you can proceed to the station on your own at your own risk. If you have a self-diagnostic tool, you can check them yourself to identify the problem. However, if you have the skills that will help you understand such a question without the help of an experienced specialist, you are unlikely to have read this material to this point.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
