Check engine or engine indicator. What means?
The engine indicator light, although amber, should not be taken lightly. If it stays on, it may indicate a serious engine problem. What to do when it lights up in our car?
On the instrument panel of a modern car, manufacturers place several, a dozen, or even more than twenty warning lights. Their task is to report the possibility of a malfunction of one of the car's systems. Depending on the significance of the potential failure, the controls are colored in different colors.
Information indicators are highlighted in green and blue. They show that the chip is on. Yellow is reserved for signal lamps. Their ignition means the detection of an error in one of the systems, or its incorrect operation. If they are constantly lit, this is a sign to make an appointment at the workshop. The most serious malfunctions are indicated by red indicators. Usually they indicate a malfunction of the most important components of the car, such as the brake or lubrication system.
The engine indicator is made in the form of a piston engine outline, and in some older models it is simply the words "check engine". It appeared forever in modern cars in 2001, when mandatory self-diagnosis systems were introduced. In simple terms, the whole idea is to stuff all the systems of the car with hundreds of sensors that transmit signals about correct or incorrect operation to the central computer. If any of the sensors detects a malfunction of the component or part being tested, it immediately reports this. The computer displays information about this in the form of the appropriate control assigned to the error.
Errors are divided into temporary and permanent. If the sensor sends a one-time error that does not appear later, the computer usually turns off the light after a while, for example, after turning off the engine. If, after a reboot, the indicator does not go out, then we are dealing with a malfunction. Control computers receive information about errors in the form of codes defined individually by each manufacturer. Therefore, in the service, connecting a service computer helps to determine the location of the breakdown, sometimes even indicates a specific problem.
The check engine light is responsible for any fault that is not related to the under hood fault light. It's yellow so when it lights up you don't need to panic. As with other controls, the error here can be temporary or permanent. If it goes out after a while, this may mean, for example, a single misfire or too low voltage in the installation at start-up. Worse, because after restarting it will continue to burn. This may already indicate a malfunction, for example, damage to the lambda probe or catalytic converter. It is impossible to ignore such a situation and, if possible, you should contact the workshop to diagnose errors.
In cars with amateur gas installations, the ignition of the check is often redundant. This is not normal and should not happen. If the “check engine” is on, it's time to visit the “gas”, as adjustment is necessary, sometimes replacing incompatible components.
It's unwise to drive with the engine light on all the time, especially if you don't know the cause. This can cause increased fuel consumption, engine failure, only the variable valve timing system (if any), and, as a result, more serious damage. You need to go to the service immediately when the yellow indicator light is accompanied by the engine going into emergency mode. We find out after a significant drop in power, limited top revs and even a drastically limited top speed. These symptoms are a sign of a serious problem, although it is often caused by a defective EGR valve or a malfunction in the ignition system.
Important information for those who are going to buy a used car. After turning the key to the first position or in cars equipped with a start-stop button, after briefly pressing the button without pressing the clutch pedal (or the brake in automatic transmission), all the lights on the instrument panel should light up. light up, and then some of them go out before the engine starts. This is the moment to check if the engine light comes on at all. Some fraudulent sellers turn it off when they cannot fix a problem and intend to hide it. Disabling any of the controls is a sign that the car may have been in a serious accident and the repair shop that repaired it was unable to repair it professionally. In cars with a gas installation, this may mean installing an emulator responsible for extinguishing the "hyperactive" light. Such machines with a wide berth are best avoided.
