You may not think about the check engine light until it turns on. If it turns on and starts flashing, pull over immediately and cut the engine. A flashing check engine light, which is also known as the CEL, is a sign of serious engine trouble. If the CEL turns on and remains illuminated steadily, this is an indication that there is something wrong with your vehicle that isn’t an emergency. This being said, you may want to have your vehicle towed to our shop to avoid potential engine damage.
Its Functionality
If your dashboard had a warning light for every vehicle part and system, it would be terribly confusing and also larger than your automobile. This is why the CEL was engineered. This light is designed to turn on when there is a problem with your automobile that has no other way of alerting you. In other words, there is no dashboard light or gauge associated with the problem.
The CEL is operated by the engine control unit, which is also called the engine control module. This is the main computer chip in your vehicle, and it controls many things. The engine control unit talks with system sensors in each system of your automobile to make sure everything is operating as it should be. If something goes wrong, the sensor will report an error code.
In some cases, the engine control unit may be able to resolve the issue by itself. If this is the case, the unit will fix the problem and avoid turning on a dashboard warning light. If the unit cannot fix the problem, such as replace worn spark plugs, it will turn on the CEL to let you know there’s a problem. Usually, other issues accompany the CEL.
Why It Turns On
We just gave one example of why the CEL turns on. Worn spark plugs will turn on the check engine light and you may also have problems with your engine misfiring and stalling. A faulty engine control unit will also turn on the CEL, which may seem strange considering it controls it. Aside from these two issues, you may also receive a CEL warning if
- The catalytic converter is bad
- The EVAP control system is bad
- The MAF sensor malfunctions
- The O2 sensor malfunctions
- You have a fuel system problem
- You have a transmission problem
Think of the CEL as the warning light for anything that is not included in your dashboard warning system. As such, head straight to our shop if the CEL has turned on.
