How to eliminate the engine malfunction light when it comes on
Recently, the problem of the engine fault light coming on has become one of the hot topics that car owners pay attention to. Many car owners often feel confused and worried when they suddenly find that the engine fault light on the dashboard comes on while driving. This article will give you a detailed analysis of the reasons and solutions for the engine fault light, and provide structured data for reference.
1. Reasons why the engine fault light comes on

The check engine light usually comes on due to an abnormality in the vehicle's engine or emissions system. The following are common reasons:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Oxygen sensor failure | The oxygen sensor is damaged or there is too much carbon deposit, resulting in reduced engine combustion efficiency. |
| Spark plug or ignition coil failure | A problem with the ignition system causes insufficient combustion, triggering the malfunction light. |
| fuel system problems | The fuel pump, fuel injector or fuel filter is clogged, affecting fuel supply. |
| Three-way catalytic converter failure | The catalytic converter is clogged or damaged, affecting exhaust emissions. |
| Engine carbon deposits | Long-term low-speed driving or poor fuel quality can lead to serious carbon deposits. |
2. Solution to the engine fault light coming on
For different reasons, the solutions are also different. The following are common ways to deal with it:
| Solution | Applicable situations |
|---|---|
| Check and replace oxygen sensor | When the oxygen sensor fails or there is too much carbon deposit. |
| Replace spark plugs or ignition coils | Problems with the ignition system lead to incomplete combustion. |
| Clean or replace fuel system components | The fuel pump, fuel injector or filter is clogged. |
| Replace three-way catalytic converter | The catalytic converter is damaged or severely clogged. |
| Clean engine carbon deposits | Carbon deposits lead to reduced combustion efficiency. |
3. Temporary emergency treatment methods
If the fault light is on but the vehicle is running normally, you can try the following temporary measures:
1.Restart vehicle: Sometimes the fault light is on due to a temporary sensor false alarm, and may disappear after restarting.
2.Check the fuel tank cap: Failure to tighten the fuel tank cap may cause the evaporative emission system to alarm, and the fault light may go out after tightening.
3.Use OBD detector: Read the fault code through the OBD interface to initially determine the problem.
4. Suggestions on preventing the engine malfunction light from coming on
To avoid the engine check light coming on frequently, car owners can take the following preventive measures:
1.Regular maintenance: Replace engine oil, air filter, etc. on time to keep the engine in good condition.
2.Use high quality fuel: Avoid carbon deposits or sensor damage caused by fuel quality problems.
3.Avoid driving at low speed for long periods of time: Proper high-speed driving can help reduce carbon deposits.
4.Repair minor issues promptly: Small faults may trigger chain reactions, so deal with them as soon as possible.
5. When does it require professional maintenance?
If the fault light stays on and is accompanied by the following symptoms, it is recommended to have it repaired immediately:
1. The engine shakes or the power drops significantly.
2. Black smoke or blue smoke comes from the exhaust pipe.
3. The vehicle’s fuel consumption increases abnormally.
4. Abnormal noise or high temperature alarm.
Although it is common for the engine check light to come on, it should not be ignored. Through the above analysis and solutions, car owners can better deal with this problem and ensure driving safety.
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