You’ve been so diligent in attending your vehicle’s scheduled maintenance sessions and so you think it should be in great condition. You hopped in and drove off to work but unfortunately, in the middle of your trip, you noticed something off on your dashboard – your engine light is apparently on. What does it mean?
At the core, activated engine light is an indicator that something is wrong with your vehicle. A lot of drivers make it a habit to ignore a turned-on engine light until other symptoms surface. While this sounds like an easy shortcut, a delay in addressing the issue can actually end up causing more damage, at least that is what experts say. If you haven’t taken your vehicle to a nearby mechanic then you run the risk of having a roadside emergency.
While a tow service nearby is just a call away, it still pays to be aware to be on top of a vehicle breakdown situation.
The following could be the reasons why your engine light is on:
1. Your ignition coil is problematic.
Ignition coils are there to light the spark plugs through the battery’s yielded current. That said, if these coils are malfunctioning, there is a chance that the irregularity might affect the entire electrical system such as how the vehicle is powered. As soon as your vehicle system senses this, it alerts by turning your engine light on.
2. Something’s wrong with your wire system and/or spark plugs.
Your vehicle’s electrical system consists mostly of spark plugs and wires interconnecting and it only takes one problematic wire to stop your engine from properly functioning. If your engine idles or becomes erratic, it could be because there are power losses or surges happening underneath. Unfortunately, like with other vehicle issues, if these problems are left untreated, costlier repairs might await.
3. Oxygen Sensor Failure
Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor is the one responsible for managing oxygen emissions and monitoring gas levels in your engine. It helps ensure your engine’s efficiency by maintaining proper ratios of fuel and air. Thus, if it malfunctions, your engine’s performance will be negatively affected. This might also mean inefficient fuel consumption.
4. Your mass airflow sensor is defective.
Your vehicle’s ECU or Engine Control Unit relies on the information transmitted by your mass airflow sensor in determining how much fuel it should consume. So if this sensor emits wrong information, your ECU won’t be able to function properly. This can also trigger your engine light.
5. Dirty Valve and Ports of Exhaust Gas Recirculation
One vital component of your engine system is its Exhaust Gas Recirculation System or EGS. It helps your vehicle run efficiently by managing its emissions. If it’s dirty or clogged, your engine’s performance might degrade.
6. Battery Issues
One of the common reasons for an activated engine light is a dead or an erroneously charging battery. A car battery’s life is significantly affected by the emitted temperature within the engine compartment. If you ended up with a dead battery, you may perform a battery jumpstart on your own or better yet, prioritize your safety and the quality of work by entrusting the job to the real professionals from a reputable roadside assistance service provider.
Regular vehicle preventive maintenance will lessen your likelihood to encounter the above-mentioned engine issues. Nonetheless, if it seems too late and you’re already caught in a vehicle breakdown situation that needs an urgent response, don’t hesitate to give us a call at Marathon Towing. Have us keep you away from further road perils. Your safety is important to us.