The check engine light is an early warning device that tells you something is wrong with one or more of your car’s systems. Under normal conditions, the light will illuminate when your engine starts and then go out. If the light stays on, it’s time to visit your Nissan dealer in Rockville, MD, for a checkup. These are some possible causes for the illuminated light.
Why Would the Check Engine Light Come On?
Damaged Oxygen Sensor
Your engine contains a variety of sensors, and these sensors monitor all of your car’s vital components. The sensors connect to your computer and provide the information your car needs to operate efficiently. A damaged oxygen sensor light, for example, will immediately cause the light to illuminate.
Oxygen sensors monitor the level of oxygen in your engine. Air is essential for combustion, as the engine requires far more air than fuel for combustion. A damaged oxygen sensor means your computer has to guess the level of air in your engine. If your engine doesn’t have enough air, it becomes fuel rich. A fuel-rich engine can misfire or stall, and the high fuel level will damage your spark plugs. We can easily identify a failed sensor and replace it.
Blocked Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter’s job is to convert dangerous gases produced by combustion into harmless ones. It does this using a combination of high pressure, extreme heat, and chemical reactions. A converter can wear out or become damaged by other engine problems. Converters can also become blocked by debris from the conversion process.
Gas conversion can lead to a carbon build-up in the converter over time. Carbon can block the exit from the converter into the exhaust, which forces the gases back into your engine. The increased pressure interferes with combustion and can cause your engine to shut down within seconds of starting up. We can fix this problem by removing the converter and clearing the blockage.
Transmission Problems
A common misconception is that the engine warning light automatically means the problem is located in the engine. A problem in the transmission can also cause the warning light to illuminate. This is because the engine and transmission are physically linked and operate symbiotically. The engine generates power, and the transmission focuses that power to move the wheels.
A lack of transmission fluid, for example, means that gear shifting will become more difficult, and your transmission will heat up. The shifting issue affects the engine as it tries to work harder to overcome the resistance caused by the transmission problem. This places the engine under unnecessary strain, and the sensors will warn of a problem.
Need an Engine Service in Rockville, MD?
If your warning light is illuminated, call our service department at DARCARS Nissan of Rockville. We can perform a thorough engine service to find out why the check engine light is on and get your car repaired in no time.
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