Why Is My Check Engine Light On?
Car troubles can be exhausting. The last thing anyone wants is to have your vehicle’s check engine light come on when driving around town or on the highway. If you’re not extremely familiar with vehicle maintenance and repair, you likely won’t know why the check engine light is on or blinking. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the reasons why your check engine light may be on! If you need a check engine light readout in Northeastern Massachusetts, contact German AutoSport in Amesbury today for a consultation and free estimate!
Reasons Why Your Check Engine Light May Be On
There are a number of reasons why a vehicle’s check engine light may come on or begin blinking. Below is a breakdown of some of these reasons!
Loose Gas Cap
One reason why a check engine light may come on is because the gas cap on the vehicle is loose or faulty. If your car senses that gasoline vapors are escaping from the gas tank system, it can trigger your check engine light. The fix to this problem can be as simple as making sure your gas gap is screwed on tight!
Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor in a vehicle is used to determine how much fuel is needed to run the engine. When oil and dirt build-up on this sensor, it can cause the check engine light to come on. If this is the case, simply cleaning the airflow sensor may solve the problem. If not, your mass airflow sensor may need to be replaced. If this problem goes unsolved, failures in other areas of the engine can occur.
Worn Out Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are necessary to create the combustion that powers a vehicle’s engine cylinders. If these spark plugs are faulty or worn down, an engine misfire can occur, which will trigger the check engine light. Worn-out spark plugs can also cause weaker engine performance and increased emissions.
Problems With The Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter in a vehicle changes carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, which reduces emissions and helps protect the environment. Catalytic converter failures are usually caused by other problems in the engine, sometimes making them more complicated to fix than just replacing them. If your vehicle senses that its catalytic converter is not working properly, the check engine light will be triggered.
Contact German AutoSport in Amesbury, MA!
If you have any questions about the check engine light in your vehicle or would like a courtesy check engine light fault readout, contact German AutoSport! Located in Amesbury, we provide the Northeastern Massachusetts region with vehicle maintenance services for almost all makes! Contact us today by calling us at (978) 388-1288 or by filling out the contact form on our website!