Common Check Engine Light Causes

Erasing the Check Engine Warning — Valencia Auto Performance & Simply Smog

If you drive long enough, you will probably see the check engine light illuminate on your dash panel at some point. Beyond being annoying, it’s a sure sign that something is amiss with your auto. While it isn’t dangerous to continue driving the car to reach the repair shop, it shouldn’t be ignored long term. Also, remember that the vehicle won’t pass inspection with an active warning. For accurate diagnosis and repair, rely on the certified technicians at Valencia Auto Performance & Simply Smog in Santa Clarita, California.

Typical Causes of the Check Engine Alert

While any number of underlying causes can trigger the check engine alert, our team of professionals has noticed a few common culprits that seem to be the most frequent catalysts. One frequent problem is with an oxygen sensor. This component measures the amount of unburned oxygen in the auto’s exhaust. If it malfunctions, not only will the light illuminate, but your car won’t be able to meet emissions standards as required by California state inspection regulations until it is fixed.

Another seemingly simple yet common issue is a faulty gas cap. If it doesn’t fit well (due to age, damage, etc.), the fuel system doesn’t seal properly. It can allow gas to evaporate (an unplanned and unnecessary expense), and it may cause the check engine response. Further, a bad mass airflow sensor may generate the warning. It regulates the amount of fuel injected into the piston for combustion after measuring the amount of air flowing into the engine. Similarly, a problem with the catalytic converter, the part that converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, will cause the dashboard signal. Finally, your check engine issue may be attributed to aging spark plugs or spark plug wires.

A Giant Eraser

Regardless of the cause, when your auto’s check engine light is on, you just want the problem corrected so that it will go off. Think of it as rubbing out a mistake on a paper and making a correction–only since this issue is bigger and more significant; it’s going to take a giant eraser. Our mechanics don’t use an eraser, but they have the proper tools, equipment, and knowledge to eliminate the check engine light. They’ll connect your auto to an OBD-II reader, a computer that generates a universal trouble code (consistent industry-wide, regardless of make or model). Once that code points us in the right direction, a technician will pinpoint the exact problem and make the repair that will rub out your check engine trouble. Therefore, you can trust Valencia Auto Performance & Simply Smog in Santa Clarita, California.