{"id":3077,"date":"2023-10-30T14:02:47","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T13:02:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/?p=3077"},"modified":"2024-09-04T14:29:44","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T12:29:44","slug":"check-engine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/check-engine\/","title":{"rendered":"Why did the &#8220;check engine&#8221; warning light go on in your car?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e356280515d\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e356280515d\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/check-engine\/#What_does_the_engine_warning_light_in_the_car_look_like\" >What does the engine warning light in the car look like?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/check-engine\/#Flashing_vs_static_%E2%80%9Ccheck_engine%E2%80%9D_icon_%E2%80%93_what_to_do\" >Flashing vs. static \u201ccheck engine\u201d icon \u2013 what to do?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/check-engine\/#Possible_causes_of_the_engine_warning_light_activation\" >Possible causes of the engine warning light activation<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/check-engine\/#How_to_turn_off_the_lit_icon\" >How to turn off the lit icon?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/check-engine\/#What_is_the_risk_of_ignoring_an_ignited_engine_icon\" >What is the risk of ignoring an ignited engine icon?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/check-engine\/#Dont_ignore_the_check_engine_icon\" >Don&#8217;t ignore the check engine icon!<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/check-engine\/#When_does_the_check_engine_light_go_on\" >When does the check engine light go on?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/check-engine\/#What_is_the_risk_of_driving_with_the_engine_light_on\" >What is the risk of driving with the engine light on?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/check-engine\/#How_to_diagnose_what_exactly_the_check_engine_means\" >How to diagnose what exactly the check engine means?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An engine warning light, i.e., the one with the <strong>check engine<\/strong>: inscription or a characteristic engine pictogram, sometimes with the inscription \u201ccheck\u201d or \u201ccheck engine\u201d inside, glowing orange, yellow, or red\u2014when this warning light is on it is a sign that something bad may be happening to the drive unit. Prolonged driving with the check engine warning light on can be very expensive. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Information box <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Undiagnosed errors can lead to serious engine failures after some time, thus immobilizing the car.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_the_engine_warning_light_in_the_car_look_like\"><\/span><b>What does the engine warning light in the car look like?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The motor warning light may have several versions. It can be an icon in the form of a \u201ccheck engine\u201d inscription, an engine outline with the inscription \u201ccheck\u201d or \u201ccheck engine\u201d inside, or the icon itself without any inscription. It comes in two versions when it comes to the color.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The yellow check engine light (or orange) indicates a fault related to the engine that allows further movement. Worse, if it constantly glows red\u2014then it is absolutely necessary to stop moving the car and take it to the workshop on the trailer.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/picture-of-car-dashboard-with-check-engine-icon.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3079\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/picture-of-car-dashboard-with-check-engine-icon.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of car dashboard with check engine icon\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/picture-of-car-dashboard-with-check-engine-icon.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/picture-of-car-dashboard-with-check-engine-icon-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/picture-of-car-dashboard-with-check-engine-icon-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/picture-of-car-dashboard-with-check-engine-icon-624x416.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flashing_vs_static_%E2%80%9Ccheck_engine%E2%80%9D_icon_%E2%80%93_what_to_do\"><\/span><b>Flashing vs. static \u201ccheck engine\u201d icon \u2013 what to do?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flashing of the check engine warning light when starting and extinguishing the engine is completely normal\u2014provided that the warning light goes off immediately after starting the engine. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know that?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The engine light responds to the indications of the electronic sensors in the car.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, the constantly burning check engine warning light may indicate a serious failure that has already occurred or is about to occur. Certainly, if the engine warning light is on, it is a signal that something disturbing is happening. What to do in such case? Is it possible to drive with the engine warning light on?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let us emphasize that <\/span><b>red warning lights, including the check engine, are designed to warn about dangers and serious failures. The red, static check engine light is a signal to stop the car immediately, turn off the engine, put the car on the trailer and have it brought to the workshop for diagnosis.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Such an icon is a clear signal that things are going very badly here and now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Yellow or orange lights indicate a malfunction and a possible hazard, but not an immediate one.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This also means a necessity for a quick visit to the workshop, but you can risk driving the car to the workshop yourself &#8211; especially if the warning has not caused a negative impact on the car&#8217;s operation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A flashing engine light, in turn, is often a symptom of improper fuel dosage, as well as significant wear or failure of glow plugs or spark plugs as well as problems with the lambda probe in gasoline engines. In some cases, a flashing check engine warning light while driving signals that the exhaust gas recirculation system is blocked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Possible_causes_of_the_engine_warning_light_activation\"><\/span><b>Possible causes of the engine warning light activation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The check engine indicator light may go on due to a number of factors. Below we described the most common causes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Damage to the engine<\/strong>: oil leakage or other issues with the engine performance, e.g., too high rpm, power drop, difficulties manifested in the form of uneven operation of the engine\u2014all this may result in the ignition of the engine warning light. The correct operation of the unit is ensured by the electronic motor controller and as a result of its operation the warning light may go on.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Damaged sensor<\/strong>: the check engine warning light is an element of the self-diagnostic system, so it depends on the indications of the sensors \u2013 it can be a sensor in the exhaust system (e.g. a lambda probe), which in the event of a failure gives false readings, which in turn causes the check engine warning light to light up. The sensors are also located in the drive system, so they immediately detect irregularities within the motor unit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Fuel system malfunction<\/strong>: Fuel system problems such as leaks, low fuel pressure, faulty fuel pump or contaminants in the system, as well as poor fuel quality, may result in the Check Engine warning light going on.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Ignition system problems<\/strong>: Failures in the ignition system, such as a faulty ignition system, faulty ignition coil, or blown spark plug, may cause the warning light to light up.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Issue with the exhaust emission system<\/strong>: a flashing check engine often indicates problems with the exhaust emission control system. This may be due to catalytic converter damage, faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, damage to the lambda probe (incorrect signal is a common error in gasoline engines) or other emission reduction related components, e.g. damage to the diesel particulate filter (DPF).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Faulty control unit<\/strong>: Failure of the engine control unit or other vehicle modules may cause the engine warning light to go on.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Damaged electrical systems<\/strong>: concerns with the electrical system of the car, such as short circuits, too low voltage in the electrical system, defects in wires or damaged connectors, are also the reason the check engine light may light up.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Issues caused by the LPG system<\/strong> are a common cause of the engine warning light going on and a harbinger of a more serious failure. LPG systems, especially if they are not regularly serviced and have, for example, clogged gas filters, may adversely affect engine operation and cause the check engine to ignite.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/closeup-of-check-engine-lit-car-dashboard.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/closeup-of-check-engine-lit-car-dashboard.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of check engine control lit on car dashboard\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/closeup-of-check-engine-lit-car-dashboard.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/closeup-of-check-engine-lit-car-dashboard-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/closeup-of-check-engine-lit-car-dashboard-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/closeup-of-check-engine-lit-car-dashboard-624x416.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_turn_off_the_lit_icon\"><\/span><b>How to turn off the lit icon?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The check engine warning light on the dashboard illuminates when the car&#8217;s diagnostic system detects any deviation from the norm. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Important, remember (exclamation mark)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> What to do after detecting irregularities when the warning light is already on? Is it possible to delete the check engine?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The orange check engine light can simply be cleared as an error code when the car is connected to a device with the appropriate software.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It&#8217;s best to do it at a service point that where it can be determined whether the error shown by the car&#8217;s diagnostics is serious or not \u2013 in the case of the orange light, it may be a slightly significant indication of the sensor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The truth will be discovered by the diagnostic tester after connecting it to the car interface. After erasing a minor error in the controller memory after restarting the engine, there will be no trace of the flashing icon and you can continue driving. However, in vehicle diagnostics, the second stage is important as well, i.e., elimination of the reason for displaying the check engine icon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Deleting the error that appeared on the dashboard as a result of an actual car fault (especially if it concerns the red icon) is a serious mistake, because it does not solve the problem.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Just like driving for a long time with the check engine icon permanently lit. Unfortunately, when dealing with a used car, sometimes the previous owner of the car did not care about the repair, but only deleted the errors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only quick troubleshooting is a guarantee of continued driving and trouble-free, continued operation of the vehicle without major problems. Otherwise, continuing to drive with the red check engine icon may end up immobilizing the car, and then the driver will have no choice but to call for roadside assistance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_risk_of_ignoring_an_ignited_engine_icon\"><\/span><b>What is the risk of ignoring an ignited engine icon?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A red engine light usually indicates a more serious malfunction. Therefore, ignoring it can result in serious damage to the car.<\/span><b> Continued driving with the red check engine icon lit in the diesel engine with a turbocharger results in the engine switching to emergency mode, which manifests itself in lower power.<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_ignore_the_check_engine_icon\"><\/span><b>Don&#8217;t ignore the check engine icon!<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Driving with the engine light on can be not only expensive, but above all dangerous. Therefore, the check engine icon should not be ignored. In the best case, it may be a minor error or the need to service an unregulated LPG installation. In the worst one, especially if the engine switches to fail-safe mode, it is a serious failure that can cost you the more, the longer you postpone the visit to the service.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Much depends on what color the icon is. Red indicates a major malfunction, while orange or yellow indicates a minor one. Regardless of the color, the matter should not be ignored.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"info-frame-container info-frame-exclamation info-iframe-border--green\">\n      <div class=\"info-frame-icon info-frame-exclamation\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"info-frame-header info-frame-header-orange\">It is good to know<\/strong><strong><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"info-frame-content\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Did you like this article? Anything you\u2019d like to ask in your comment? Feel free to share your feedback and comment at the bottom of the article. And remember \u2013 always before buying a car, motorcycle or even a trailer \u2013 check\u00a0<a class=\"waffle-rich-text-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/vehicle-history\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vehicle history<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a class=\"waffle-rich-text-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">free VIN lookup<\/a>\u00a0with autoDNA based on the\u00a0<a class=\"waffle-rich-text-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/vin-number\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VIN number<\/a>.\u00a0<a class=\"waffle-rich-text-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/vin-check\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VIN check<\/a>\u00a0is one of the most important things to do before deciding to buy a used vehicle. Thanks to this, autoDNA helps you make an informed decision.<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"check-vin-btn-container check-vin-btn-container--orange\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"check-vin-btn--arrow\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe id=\"ASD-PA-0005010200-31-906\" title=\"Purchase the autoDNA reports in a bundle\" src=\"https:\/\/afilio.autodna.com\/ext\/load\/0005010200\/31?p_label=Check+VIN+number&p_color=orange\" style=\"width: 271px; height: 59px; border: 0;\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">PA.load(\"0005010200-31-906\", \"packages\");<\/script>\r\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/div>\n    <\/div><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<style>#sp-ea-3115 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 300ms;}#sp-ea-3115{ position: relative; }#sp-ea-3115 .ea-card{ opacity: 0;}#eap-preloader-3115{ position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; height: 100%;width: 100%; text-align: center;display: flex; align-items: center;justify-content: center;}#sp-ea-3115.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-3115.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-3115.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #fff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-3115.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #eee;}#sp-ea-3115.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon { float: left; color: #444;font-size: 16px;}<\/style><div id=\"sp_easy_accordion-1698935974\">\n<div id=\"sp-ea-3115\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ea-active=\"ea-click\" data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-preloader=\"1\" data-scroll-active-item=\"\" data-offset-to-scroll=\"0\">\n\n\t<div id=\"eap-preloader-3115\" class=\"accordion-preloader\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/easy-accordion-free\/public\/assets\/ea_loader.svg\" alt=\"Loader image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- Start accordion card div. -->\n<div class=\"ea-card ea-expand sp-ea-single\">\n\t<!-- Start accordion header. -->\n\t<h3 class=\"ea-header\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_does_the_check_engine_light_go_on\"><\/span>\n\t\t<!-- Add anchor tag for header. -->\n\t\t<a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-31150\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse31150\" aria-controls=\"collapse31150\" href=\"#\"  aria-expanded=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-minus\"><\/i> When does the check engine light go on?\t\t<\/a> <!-- Close anchor tag for header. -->\n\t<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\t<!-- Close header tag. -->\n\t<!-- Start collapsible content div. -->\n\t<div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse collapsed show\" id=\"collapse31150\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3115\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-31150\">  <!-- Content div. -->\n\t\t<div class=\"ea-body\">\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The check engine indicator light comes on just after the car is started and goes off automatically after a while. This is normal in a properly functioning car when the engine is running normally. The check engine warning light should be paid special attention to if it does not go off automatically or lights up while driving\u2014sometimes it stays on, and in other cases it may appear for some time and disappear while driving.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- Close content div. -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- Close collapse div. -->\n<\/div> <!-- Close card div. -->\n<!-- Start accordion card div. -->\n<div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\">\n\t<!-- Start accordion header. -->\n\t<h3 class=\"ea-header\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_risk_of_driving_with_the_engine_light_on\"><\/span>\n\t\t<!-- Add anchor tag for header. -->\n\t\t<a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-31151\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse31151\" aria-controls=\"collapse31151\" href=\"#\"  aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> What is the risk of driving with the engine light on?\t\t<\/a> <!-- Close anchor tag for header. -->\n\t<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\t<!-- Close header tag. -->\n\t<!-- Start collapsible content div. -->\n\t<div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse31151\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3115\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-31151\">  <!-- Content div. -->\n\t\t<div class=\"ea-body\">\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Such behavior carries the risk of a serious breakdown that may immobilize the car and cause the need for very expensive repairs, including engine overhaul.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- Close content div. -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- Close collapse div. -->\n<\/div> <!-- Close card div. -->\n<!-- Start accordion card div. -->\n<div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\">\n\t<!-- Start accordion header. -->\n\t<h3 class=\"ea-header\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_diagnose_what_exactly_the_check_engine_means\"><\/span>\n\t\t<!-- Add anchor tag for header. -->\n\t\t<a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-31152\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse31152\" aria-controls=\"collapse31152\" href=\"#\"  aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> How to diagnose what exactly the check engine means?\t\t<\/a> <!-- Close anchor tag for header. -->\n\t<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\t<!-- Close header tag. -->\n\t<!-- Start collapsible content div. -->\n\t<div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse31152\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3115\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-31152\">  <!-- Content div. -->\n\t\t<div class=\"ea-body\">\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You need to drive to the service center, where the on-board computer can be scanned through the diagnostic interface. This will make it much easier to see where the problem lies. Sometimes the intervention of a mechanic is not needed\u2014if the fault is minor, it is enough to erase the error so that the icon stops glowing, and you can continue driving normally.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- Close content div. -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- Close collapse div. -->\n<\/div> <!-- Close card div. -->\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{ \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{ \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"When does the check engine light go on?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The check engine indicator light comes on just after the car is started and goes off automatically after a while. This is normal in a properly functioning car when the engine is running normally. The check engine warning light should be paid special attention to if it does not go off automatically or lights up while driving\u2014sometimes it stays on, and in other cases it may appear for some time and disappear while driving.\" } },{ \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the risk of driving with the engine light on?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Such behavior carries the risk of a serious breakdown that may immobilize the car and cause the need for very expensive repairs, including engine overhaul.\" } },{ \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How to diagnose what exactly the check engine means?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"You need to drive to the service center, where the on-board computer can be scanned through the diagnostic interface. This will make it much easier to see where the problem lies. Sometimes the intervention of a mechanic is not needed\u2014if the fault is minor, it is enough to erase the error so that the icon stops glowing, and you can continue driving normally.\" } }] }<\/script><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An engine warning light, i.e., the one with the check engine: inscription or a characteristic engine pictogram, sometimes with the inscription \u201ccheck\u201d or \u201ccheck engine\u201d inside, glowing orange, yellow, or red\u2014when this warning light is on it is a sign that something bad may be happening to the drive unit. Prolonged driving with the check engine warning light on can be very expensive. Information box Undiagnosed errors can lead to serious engine failures after some time, thus immobilizing the car.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":3078,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[361,359,176],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-autodna-advises","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3077","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3077"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3077\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4340,"href":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3077\/revisions\/4340"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autodna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}