Your car’s check engine light can be on for many reasons, most of which are easy to fix. However, some problems can be more difficult and expensive to repair.
This blog post will discuss five unexpected reasons your check engine light is on.
We will also provide tips on troubleshooting the problem and getting your car back up and running as soon as possible!
1. You Have a Loose or Damaged Gas Cap
One of the most important reasons your check engine light may be on is that you have a loose or damaged gas cap.
Your gas cap is responsible for keeping fuel vapors from escaping your tank, and if it’s not functioning correctly, those vapors can trigger your check engine light.
If your gas cap is loose, you should tighten it until it clicks. If it’s damaged, you’ll need to replace it.
To quickly troubleshoot it, you need to look at your gas cap and see if there’s any damage.
If you can quickly tighten the cap or replace it, this should fix the problem.
2. Your Oxygen Sensor Is Faulty
Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor is responsible for monitoring the amount of oxygen in your exhaust and adjusting the air-fuel mixture accordingly. If the sensor is faulty, it can cause your engine to run lean, which means too much air and insufficient fuel.
Or it can cause your engine to run rich (that’s when there is too much fuel and not enough air). It can trigger your check engine light.
To troubleshoot it, you can use tools like a fuel mixture screwdriver or a digital air-fuel ratio meter to measure your engine’s air and fuel ratios.
If your engine runs rich or lean, this can help you pinpoint the oxygen sensor as the cause of the problem.
3. You Have a Faulty Spark Plug or Ignition Coil
If you have got a faulty spark plug or ignition coil, it can cause your engine to misfire.
It can trigger your check engine light and cause your vehicle to run poorly.
You can take your car to a Subaru mechanic near me to troubleshoot it. He will check it and fix the problem ASAP.
4. You Have a Catalytic Converter Problem
Your catalytic converter is responsible for reducing emissions from your vehicle, and if it’s not functioning correctly, it can trigger your check engine light.
Additionally, a problem with your catalytic converter can cause your vehicle to run poorly and damage your engine.
You should take your car in for a diagnostic test to troubleshoot it. The diagnostic will help you pinpoint the exact cause of your catalytic converter problem and get it fixed as soon as possible.
5. You May Have a Serious Engine Problem
If none of the above reasons cause your check engine light being on, you may have a severe engine problem.
It’s always best to have your vehicle checked out by a professional mechanic as soon as possible if you suspect an issue.
Pay attention to your engine light
Whether you have a loose gas cap, faulty oxygen sensor, or something else, it’s important to troubleshoot the problem and get your car running smoothly again.
Follow these tips and see a trusted mechanic as soon as possible if you’re concerned about checking the engine light!
