Don’t ignore that light

When your car’s dashboard gauge engine icon lights up, it’s usually accompanied by a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The light could mean a costly problem such as a busted engine sensor or it could be something very trivial like a lapsed service check. But in many cases, it means at minimum that you’ll be visiting the car servicing depot to locate the malfunction and get the light turned off.

This check engine light is more formally known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL).   The Check Engine Light (CEL) which is universally represented by an engine icon is a signal from the car’s engine control unit (ECU) that something is wrong. The ECU is connected to vital sensors in and around the engine the same way medical gadgets are connected to a human patient under ICU.  Sensors in the car notify the driver of a potential or already existing issue. When a check engine light comes on, there may be a problem with the overall system. The light can be tripped by something as simple as a dirty intake filter or could mean a problem with the spark plugs , a deteriorated fuel injector O-ring, faulty oxygen sensors or possibly that an area of the engine has water in it where moisture should not be.

The car dealer’s service department can diagnose the problem from a machine that they call an OBD Machine or On-Board Diagnostics Decoder.  Prior to 1996, carmakers had their own “On Board Engine diagnostic” systems (OBD), primarily to ensure that their cars were compliant with Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) standards - an American agency tasked to minimize emissions. Starting with model-year 1996, automakers standardized their systems under a protocol called OBD II which stipulated a standardized list of diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) and mandated that all cars provide a universal connector to access this information.  It’s usually located under the dashboard and is easy to access.

So if the Check Engine light(CEL) comes on, whether it is blinking or steady, what do you do? The most obvious answer, of course, is to get the engine checked by a qualified mechanic with a decoder.  Steady lights are usually minor problems while flashing or blinking lights are signs of major issues with the engine.  But many people do nothing, perhaps fearing an expensive repair bill. Some drivers with older cars want to squeeze out as many remaining kilometers as possible without visiting a service garage. If the light is lit, there’s a good chance the car is limping due to an impending problem.

With the introduction of the OBD system on cars, it didn’t take long for gadget makers to invent third party decoders for the DIYers.   These are portable and inexpensive code readers that connect to this standardized onboard diagnostics (OBD) port and search for the codes readings.  These are now widely available in the Net. Although not as extensive as the dealers OBD Decoding Machines, these DIY decoders can turn off check engine lights, even though this action alone does not actually repair the underlying issue.

The more sensors you have in your car, the bigger the probability of a “CEL”. Imagine the ultra high performance Bugatti Veyron  for example.  This very expensive all-wheel-drive wondercar has hundreds of sensors all over, attached to the engine, suspension, brakes and tires, even the aerodynamics.  Ultra modern cars are so advance that a busted brake light will cause a “CEL.”

Whatever the underlying issue is, it is best to have it serviced the soonest. Neglecting a minor issue could lead to bigger problem down the road.