Check Engine Light On? You Need an Engine Diagnostics Right Away

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If it is not malfunctioning, the Check Engine light can indicate a problem with one or more components in your vehicle if it comes on.

You may not be able to get to the core of the problem unless you have the necessary expertise. What you need to do is take your car to professional garage to sort it out.

How do garages conduct an engine diagnostics?

If you have purchased your car after the 1980s, chances are it comes with what’s called on-board diagnostics (OBD). Since the 1990s, significant changes were made, and the latest variant is OBD II. If your car’s not more than 10 years old and there are issues with the CEL, you will surely require an Engine Diagnostic Easington.

OBD

The OBD is a computer in your car. It consists of an electronic control unit (ECU) connected with various sensors which are again connected to all the components. These sensors send data to an ECU to help the OBD monitor your vehicle’s mileage, speed, and fuel emissions.

They will also send information to your car’s OBD is one of the components is malfunctioning. This will further cause a Check Engine light to illuminate.

Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC)

The OBD also consists of a Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) – a multi-pin port under your car’s hood.

Car garages attach a scan tool to the DLC to diagnose a problem. The DLC provides a scan tool with a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) which enables technicians to get to the root of an issue.

What cause the Check Engine light to illuminate?

There are several reasons why this light can come one, some of which include:

Worn spark plugs

Simply put, spark plugs are essential for starting your vehicle. Thus, a worn spark plug will cause your engine to misfire. It may also lead to a slow crank.

Sometimes, fouled plugs may not exhibit the above symptoms. But, a malfunction light will illuminate for the same.

Faulty Ignition coils

Connected to spark plugs are ignition coils that supply electricity to the former. If one or more ignition coil malfunctions, a Check Engine light will turn on.

Damaged spark plugs wires

Ignition coils and spark plugs are connected with spark plug wires. A fault with a wire will lower your car’s fuel efficiency and engine performance. The same will also illuminate a malfunction light.

Failing oxygen sensor

An oxygen sensor is attached to the exhaust manifold. The former measures the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust fumes. This sensor is critical as it sends data to an ECU. The ECU uses this data to control the mixture of fuel and air.

Any fault with this sensor will ignite a Check Engine light. Although a malfunctioning oxygen sensor does not cause harm to your vehicle, the latter will consume more fuel.

Lastly, a loose fuel cap will also cause a malfunction light to illuminate. Hence, make sure it is secure.

If the cap is tightly fitted and the light is still on, then you need to visit a car garage like Easington Service Station for a Car Repair Easington. They also provide other services like wheel alignment, wheel balancing, etc.