There’s a reason why drivers of relatively newer cars today should pay more heed to the so-called “harbinger” a.k.a. the Check Engine light—that small icon that flashes on the dashboard whenever something is wrong with the car. However, there are drivers who tend to let this supposed warning fall on deaf ears—or rather, blind eyes. Thor Benson of Digital Trends notes:
The check engine light blinks because something has gone awry within the inner workings of the car—problems which may range from the simpler, DIY-worthy repairs, to issues only professional auto repair in Orlando can handle. Here are some of the most common reasons why the check engine light would blink.
Busted oxygen sensor – The oxygen sensor is a component that monitors how much unburned oxygen the car emits from its exhaust system. Whenever this gets broken, the wrong data is sent to the car’s onboard computer, causing an unprecedented decrease in gas mileage. Such decrease can be as big as 40 percent—highly noticeable due to the vehicle’s lack of power despite flooring the gas pedal.
Broken catalytic converter – Catalytic converters aren’t exactly bound to fail unless broken components, i.e., a spark plug, are ignored. As the spark plugs’ internal wires get abused, they can develop small cracks that can let out small bursts of electricity. A busted catalytic converter isn’t worthy of a DIY repair, and should be serviced by a mechanic from local Orlando auto repair shops, such as Fast Lane Automotive.
Loose or faulty gas cap – Gas caps may seem to be too ordinary, but when they go bad, troubles follow suit. A loose or cracked gas cap can cause fuel vapors to leak out and throw the entire fuel system off its rhythm. In some cars, the pressure buildup inside the gas tank is measured, and the onboard computer signals the check engine light to come on. Loose or leaky gas caps aren’t exactly threatening, but they contribute to the faulty reading of the car’s overall fuel mileage.
The check engine light may be a bit pesky, but it serves as the car owner’s first line of defense against potentially bigger problems. If it goes ignored, no one knows how long the car would function optimally until a problem becomes vexing enough that it can no longer be overlooked.
(Source: Check Engine Light On Again? These Are the Top Reasons that Pesky Light is Glowing, Digital Trends, December 27, 2013)