Is it okay when the check engine light on but car runs fine? There’s a reason why the check engine light is becoming the least favorite notification for every driver. When it’s on, it means something isn’t right with your car, and you usually feel it. You feel that it ‘feels’ wrong or it isn’t as smooth as the usual. But what if the car feels okay and yet that particular light is on. Read on to find out what you can do about it.
Check Engine Light Specialty
This feature is basically the car’s tool to help with diagnostics, so there is always a possibility that it can be wrong. In fact, in most cases, this light can experience a malfunction or it’s not informing you the ‘full story’.
Check engine light is the dashboard’s display lamp that has a universal shape like an engine. When there is an issue with the car, it would turn on orange. The existence of the check engine light indicates that the car has the Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) computer system being installed.
The Possible Causes
- Bad Gas Cap
Let’s not forget that the car has sensors that are designed to check the gas cap’s seal, making sure that it can contain the evaporated gas fumes. When the sensors detect a faulty or bad seal, they will send a certain code, activating the check engine light. If this happens to you, no fret. This would be the easiest and also cheapest issue. A replacement won’t cost you more than $20.
- Transmission Issues
When your transmission is somewhat problematic, it would turn on the ‘alarm’. Modern rides come with computerized transmissions integrated with the engine control computers (for efficiency). In most cases, cars don’t really have a separate transmission light. So, when the sensors detect an issue, the check engine would go on, and there would be a code (transmission specific) along it.
There is also possible that there are other faulty components related to emissions. After all, a car has a complex system involving many components, like catalytic converter, the EGR system, the pre-cat, the sensors, air pump, and others. When one of these is having issues, it may activate the light and cause it go on.
- Bad O2 Sensor
This is crucial for the emission system as it provides the needed information. When it goes bad, the overall system may be affected. Your ride may improperly go idle. It can reduce the gas mileage too. that’s why you should replace this component immediately.
- Bad Catalytic Converter
This commonly happens to ‘old’ vehicle. if the car is coming with OBD II system, then it’s likely coming with catalytic converter. When it fails, it can activate the sensors within exhaust system, causing the light to go on.
What to Do?
What can you do when check engine light on but car runs fine? First of all, you can check for signs of issues. For instance, when the light is on and you hear loud knocking (or ticking) sound, it’s likely you have engine issues. If the light is on while being accompanied by high engine temperature or low oil pressure, take your car to the mechanics. If you want to have even a safer drive, take your car to the garage once you see the light is on. It’s always better to be cautious than sorry.
Final Words
In the end, the solution depends on your own comfort and expertise. If you are quite experienced with the car, you can try finding the culprit and fix it yourself. If you are clueless, it’s best to your car to the expert and has it checked. So, the next time the check engine light on but car runs fine, you know the logical thing to do.