Many car owners dread the dashboard check engine light. Every time you start the engine with other warning lights, the check engine light (usually an orange or yellow outline of an engine with the words “Check” or “Service Engine”) should turn on for a brief period of time. If it remains on, something is wrong.
If your check engine light is flashing or blinking instead of staying on, it signifies a severe issue that requires immediate attention. Sometimes an illuminated check engine light indicates a major issue, but many of the typical causes are straightforward and quick to fix.
In this reading, we’ll explore what a check engine light means, what causes it to come one, and how to reset it.
Let’s get started!
What Does A Check Engine Light Mean?
The check engine light indicates that there is a problem with the vehicle’s emissions, ignition, fuel, or exhaust systems, as determined by the onboard diagnostics system (also known as OBD II). You shouldn’t ignore it because it could be the result of something as little as a loose gas cap, a malfunctioning oxygen sensor, or a spark plug, or something more serious like a malfunctioning catalytic converter or serious engine issues. Onboard diagnostics in all automobiles and light trucks are designed to identify engine-related issues that affect the emissions control systems.
Reasons Why Check Engine Light Comes On
Your car’s dashboard’s “Check Engine” light may indicate a number of problems, from minor to major. Here are the common reasons why it might come on:
Low Oil Pressure
Keep in mind that performing an accurate oil check should not turn on the check engine light. The oil pressure gauge will also be reset if the car’s engine is drained of oil. Be aware that the gauge won’t have enough time to read correctly after changing the oil and installing a clean filter. The check engine light will briefly illuminate as a result because the automobile “thinks” the oil level is low.
How To Fix
Start your automobile and let it run for a few minutes so that the new oil can pump and circulate through the engine. If this was the issue, the check engine light should go out right away.
Unplugged MAF or MAP Sensor
It is likely that if you had your engine oil changed by a repair, the MAF sensor had been unplugged so the mechanic could check the engine air filter or reach the oil filler cap. To ensure that the engine operates properly, professionals and vehicle dealers regularly check engine air filters while changing the engine’s oil.
Air will leak into the engine, and the MAF sensor will not be able to register it if it is unplugged or if the engine air filter is not installed correctly. The optimal air-fuel ratio for effective combustion will be thrown off. The check engine light will come on as a result. Therefore, you should open the hood and check that all of the wires, hoses, clamps, and connectors are in place and connected properly.
How To Fix
The solution to this issue is very obvious. Simply open the hood, then locate the MAF or MAP sensor. If you find it unplugged, all you have to do is plug it back in.
Dipstick Not Fully Seated
To check the engine oil level, use the dipstick. During an oil change, the dipstick will be repeatedly withdrawn, cleaned, and reseated to check the oil level. When the dipstick is inserted, an O-ring forms a seal, and the dipstick fits snugly inside the dipstick tube. Unmetered air will be able to reach the engine if the dipstick is not installed. Internal engine components like cylinder walls, pistons, or valves may sustain damage as a result.
How To Fix
To quickly fix this, simply open the hood, locate the dipstick, and check to see if the tube is clogged. When you are certain that it is clear, reposition the dipstick so that it is firmly inserted.
Excessive Oil
Your check engine light can turn on if you overfill your engine with oil. Because the engine is sluggish or misfiring, your automobile may stall. Additionally, it can result in an oil leak, smoke coming from the tailpipe, or a complete failure to start.
How To Fix
This issue, also known as oil overfill, can be resolved by employing a suction pump to remove the extra oil. Decide whether you want to drain the oil from the cap access point or the dipstick tube before opening the hood of your car. Pick between an automated or manual pump.
The Usage Of Wrong Oil
It’s crucial to make sure you’re using the right oil in your car. Your car may experience issues with the incorrect viscosity, grade, or weight of oil. You might use 10W-40 oil instead of 5W-40 since you believe the two to be comparably similar. An oil that is overly viscous won’t provide the right lubrication, which prevents it from properly transferring heat. That implies that the oil will heat up too quickly, turning on your check engine light.
How To Fix
Draining the oil from your car will help you solve this issue. You must change the oil filter and add the right type of oil to the vehicle.
Gas Cap Is Off-Center or Turned Backward
When customers fill up their petrol tanks after changing their oil, the cap occasionally isn’t fastened on tightly enough. Either it is backward or it is too loose. These problems will trigger an alert from the system, which may cause the check engine light to illuminate.
How To Fix
By taking off the gas cap and reinstalling it properly and firmly, you can try to get the light to turn off. On some automobiles, the writing should be facing you; as this varies from vehicle to vehicle, this may have been the cause of why it was backward.
Related: What Is An Automobile Engine? Its Diagram, Parts & How it works
How To Reset The Check Engine Light
The two required tools, a wrench and an Onboard Diagnostic reader like the Kobra OBD scanner, are inexpensive. You may assess engine codes with the aid of this reader and fix them. Following a new oil change, these instructions will assist you in turning off the check engine light:
Locate The Port
A fuse box door may need to be removed to obtain access to the OBD reader port, which is normally located on the bottom of the dashboard directly above where your feet rest.
Attach The Reader
Push enter to turn the gadget on after you have connected the reader.
Watch For A Code
Activate the engine error code scanning on the device. You will see all problem codes displayed on the screen once it has finished assessing the vehicle. Make a note of the codes you want to compare to the handbook or verify online.
Clear The Code
To highlight the code, press the scroll button; to erase it, press enter once more. Your check engine light should be reset as a result.
Restart Your Car
You should restart your automobile if the light does not turn off immediately to give everything a chance to reset.
Check Engine Light Video
FAQs
How long does the check engine light stay on after the oil change?
The check engine light will typically turn off automatically once the problem that brought it on has been resolved, but only after 10 to 20 ‘cycles’. In this context, the process of turning on the car, letting it run for a while, and then shutting it off once more is referred to as a cycle.
Is my check engine light on because of oil?
Certainly, something needs to be done about the low oil level. The check engine light won’t usually turn on because of it, though. When there is an electrical or electronic problem with the engine management system, the check engine light turns on.
Is it typical for the check engine light to illuminate after changing the oil?
The check engine light usually does not come on after an oil change. If the check engine light comes on after an oil change, it is more likely that the oil filler cap was installed improperly or too loosely. This occurs when the oil filler cap fails to adequately seal the oil, allowing air to enter the engine.
It is also possible that the engine oil itself is the problem if the check engine light comes on after the oil change. If the engine oil has the wrong weight or viscosity, the check engine light might turn on.
What Should You Do If Your Check Engine Light Is On?
When the check engine light illuminates, you should stop your car and use an OBD2 scan tool to look up any warning codes that may have been recorded in the engine’s memory. It will help you find out the main reason why the dashboard check engine light is on.
Receiving a check engine light code may indicate that one of your car’s sensors or components is malfunctioning. The sensors (MAF/MAP, O2, throttle position) keep an eye on your car’s fuel injection, emissions, and intake air systems. Your dashboard may display a check engine light if a sensor is malfunctioning.
Additionally, if the check engine light remains on after the oil change, it can be because the engine oil level is too low. If your oil is low, top it off and check to see if the light turns off.