What is the reason why the Check Engine light comes on? What fault does the Check Engine light indicate? How to delete engine fault codes?….
This scenario can happen to anyone. You’ll be happy to get in your car, start it and put it in gear. Then you will go about your day with light music. Then suddenly, your eyes focus on the instrument panel. You realize that the “Check Engine” light is still on.
What does this light indicate? What’s the matter? It’s going to be a difficult day!
Some parameters are read by the engine control and fault detection systems in your vehicle. The light will not switch on immediately if these parameters are changed. It will first diagnose if the problem is temporary or permanent. If the same problem happens again on a second trip, in the same driving conditions, the OBD system will generate an Error Code and turn on the malfunction lamp to warn the driver.
Many drivers panic when the malfunction light comes on. They think the engine is having a problem and panic. Don’t panic. Most of the time, the problem is minor so there is no immediate need to take action. If you do not see any other warning lights (temperature, battery, oil, etc.), then it is safe to ignore them. The engine is operating normally without any unusual noise, smell, vibration or other warning lights.You can assume that the problem is minor, and you can continue to intervene when necessary. If any of the warning lights are on, you should stop the engine and look into the cause.
Why is the Engine Malfunction light on?
The “Check Engine” and “Engine Fault” indicators lamps warn the driver if the engine is not working properly or if the emission values are in danger. This light can either flash intermittently or continuously depending on the nature and extent of the problem. The light will go on when the engine malfunctions, such as misfire or ignition, occur. The malfunction lamp is designed to alert the driver and help them take corrective action if a problem arises.
It can be irritating to see a flashing malfunction light. Because you don’t know what caused the flashing malfunction light, it can be frustrating. Only way to determine the problem is to connect your vehicle to the diagnostic tool to read the fault codes. The fault codes will guide you on what path to take. But, the fault code will not tell you which component needs to be replaced. The fault code only indicates the circuit where the fault occurred and the nature of that fault. (eg misfire, oxygen sensor, etc.) Sometimes, additional diagnostics are needed to determine the root cause and pinpoint the culprit. It is easier to work step-by-step based on the fault codes and perform various tests.
For example, suppose the check engine lamp comes on and emits error code “P0130”. This is a sign that there is a problem with the oxygen sensor. This could be caused by a problem with the sensor or loose connections or cables. You should check the connections and wiring before replacing the sensor. The P0301 error code, which indicates that the first cylinder is defective, is another example. The root causes may include a defective spark plug, sparkplug wire, ignition coil or dirty or faulty injection. Valves, leaky head gasket, etc. There are many possible problems. The list of possible fault codes can be very long, as you can see. Before replacing any part, it is important to properly diagnose the fault.
It is difficult to diagnose a P0300 fault code. This indicates an error in random misfire. This code is usually indicative of a faulty fuel/air mixture. The possibilities of faults can range from an air leak to a dirty fuel inlet, ignition coil malfunction, wiring issues, or compression related problems. It is best to have your vehicle checked by a professional who can diagnose the problem correctly.
Sometimes the PCM system may generate a fault code. However, there is nothing wrong. These situations can arise when OBDII’s system is sensitive to too much or if there is an issue with the firmware. Some 3.8-liter GM vehicles may generate the error code P1406, which is indicative of a problem with the EGR valve. This fault light will not go out if the EGR valve is replaced. It is not necessary to replace the EGR Valve, but to reprogram your PCM with the most recent software. These faults can often be fixed by vehicle manufacturers, who frequently post updates to their websites.
How do I delete engine fault codes?
The Engine Fault Lamp will continue to illuminate as long as there is a fault. The engine fault lamp will shut off if it does not occur three times. However, the generated fault code will be kept in the PCM. The code will be deleted from the memory if the fault does not occur again after 40-50 attempts. A scan tool is the best way to turn off Check Engine Lights and to clear fault codes. “Clear Codes?” Most of these tools can be used to clear codes. You will find a menu option that states. The button will be pressed to clear the code from your PCM memory. This resets you to 0. These fault codes should be written down before you delete them. Compare previous codes if the Check Engine Light turns on again.
Emissions faults are generally not a problem with the vehicle’s performance, drive, and behavior. These types of failures are up to you to ignore. You will most likely fail the emissions test if your vehicle is not fixed.
Older vehicles with OBDII tech from 1995 or earlier can be cleared by disengaging the battery. After unplugging your battery cable for 10 second, you can plug it back in to reset the PCM. Other settings that are defined by the PCM will also be lost. You may lose your car’s idling, radio, memory seat, mirrors, and other settings. You may lose your electronic settings. To clear these codes, it is recommended to only use a scanner.
There are many things that could cause a malfunction lamp to go off. The lamp can be triggered by a variety of problems, including emissions-related issues and failures of any part, such as a loose gas cap or a defective fuel injector.
The most common problems
- a wet engine
- gasket burn
- Defective oxygen sensors
- Broken spark plugs and spark plug wires
- Broken or loose hoses and manifolds
- EGR valve contamination
- Fuel injector malfunctions, stuck injector o-rings
The check engine light will illuminate if there is a problem. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC), which corresponds to the problem, is stored in the powertrain controller module (PCM). There may be more than one error code for some issues. Even if an error code is removed by the fault detection system, it can still give the same error and cause the fault lamp to turn on again.
