Why is My Check Engine Light On?

Reasons Your Check Engine Light May Be On

When your vehicle starts flashing the check engine light, it can be worrisome, to say the least. While there are plenty of possible causes, it’s best practice to see a mechanic as soon as possible so that you can make sure that there’s no long-term damage to your engine. When you need quick service near McGregor, Killeen, or Waco, there’s no better place than Stanley Ford McGregor, where our mechanics will make you a priority. 

Smaller Problems

While your check engine light can pop up for multiple reasons, these are generally some of the simpler, and cheaper, issues that you might be dealing with. 

• Your Vehicle Has a Bad Mass Airflow Sensor: This sensor measures your airflow and sends the data directly to your model’s computer. When it can’t give an accurate estimate, your computer will struggle to compensate. 
• Your Battery Is Struggling: Your battery is responsible for powering all of your systems with its pent-up charge, so when it starts to go bad, you might find that your vehicle’s computer begins to struggle. 
• Your Gas Cap Is Damaged: Your engine needs fuel vapors to keep running, which can be a problem when your gas cap is damaged. This can allow them to escape before they’re able to be used. 
• Your Oxygen Sensors Are Failing: In your exhaust system, you have multiple oxygen sensors which work by measuring your air-to-fuel ratio as your vehicle runs. This helps your model create the ideal mixture so that you have the best fuel efficiency possible. 

Diagnosing Your Model

If you’ve ruled out some of the simpler options, you might be dealing with a more expensive issue. When you head to the mechanic, you might find that:

• You Have a Vacuum Leak: Your vacuum system is vast and complex, and something as small as a leak can significantly hamper its performance. These leaks might not always be hazardous, but you’re almost sure to see a reduction in power.  
• Your Spark Plugs Are Giving Out: Your vehicle needs your spark plugs to keep working, as without them, you won’t be going anywhere. When they begin to go out, you might notice a decrease in efficiency alongside your check engine light. 
• Your Catalytic Converter Is Having Trouble: Your catalytic converter works hard to keep the environment safe and works by converting harmful compounds into less harmful variants. When it gets damaged, you’ll find that you have less fuel efficiency. 
• Your EGR Valve Is Faulty: Since your vehicle is constantly putting out harmful chemicals, your EGR valve helps to reduce this by recirculating nitrogen oxides back into your air intake. When this valve is damaged, you’ll struggle to accelerate. 

Your Next Service 

When you’re dealing with the mystery of your check engine light, you won’t want to wait before heading to the mechanic, as you might accidentally cause long-term damage to your model. When you want to make sure that your vehicle is healthy, you’ll want to make your way to Stanley Ford McGregor, where our mechanics will be able to provide you with an accurate diagnosis. From there, you’ll be notified if you need any repairs. When your service is finished, you’ll have a vehicle that you can trust, and you won’t have to worry about your light anymore.