No one wants to see their Check Engine Light come on – it can mean an expensive trip to the mechanic or serious car engine problems. But for many drivers, it is simply a source of confusion since without other indicators, this small yellow or red light on the instrument panel can be a serious source of frustration. While there are no hard and fast rules about what the light means, there are a number of common reasons for the Check Engine Light to come on.

The Check Engine Light is connected to an on-board computer that is intended to detect problems in a vehicle’s engine – one-time errors are not reported but persistent problems will trigger the light. Often, the light will illuminate due to a sensor failure – be it oxygen, coolant or airflow – but it can also come on because of problems such as faulty spark plugs, a loose hose or cracked wiring.

If a Check Engine Light turns on – and remains on – it is a good idea to have the vehicle examined to pinpoint the cause of the light and address any small problems before they become major issues.

Check out our other posts about your Check Engine Light and how it works for more information!

Image: Claudia Marchán