Your check engine light pops on, and what instantly happens? Visions of costly car repairs likely dance before your eyes, threatening to deplete your bank account in one fell swoop.
Fortunately, as long as you have a trusted Vacaville CA auto repair team on your side, your Audi, BMW, Mercedes, or Volkswagen check engine light doesn’t have to be a scary sight. In fact, it’ll likely save you money by bringing you into the shop before catastrophic damage can occur. More often than not, the cause of the light turning on is easy to fix by tightening, cleaning, or replacing the affected parts.
Wondering what problems your techs might discover when you come into the shop? Here are the top five check engine light issues in European cars.
Loose Gas Cap
Sometimes, all it takes is a loose gas cap to cause your Audi check engine light to turn on and shine brightly. Although it might not seem like a big deal, that little cap has an important job to do. It creates a tight seal on your fuel system to keep it at the correct pressure. If it’s not doing that, fuel vapors could escape, reducing your car’s fuel efficiency and increasing its emissions.
Dirty Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor measures how much air goes into your engine to determine the amount of fuel to inject at any given moment. The measurements are only accurate if the sensor is clean and in good working order. When it gets dirty, the BMW check engine light alerts you to the problem. That way, you don’t waste money on fuel as your engine performance and gas mileage plummet.
Faulty Throttle Position Sensor
The throttle position sensor helps ensure the engine receives the correct amount of air and fuel while you’re driving down the road. It works by monitoring the position of the throttle valve as you press down on the gas pedal. Then, it sends the information to the computer, so it can make minute adjustments to the air and fuel delivery to the engine. If the sensor stops working right, it’ll typically cause your engine to run rough, accelerate erratically, and guzzle down the gas.
Oxygen Sensor Malfunction
The oxygen sensor sits in the exhaust pipe, measuring the total amount of unburned oxygen exiting the engine. If the sensor detects that your car’s running too rich or lean, it’ll tell the computer to adjust the amount of fuel injected into the system. When the sensor overheats, gets contaminated, or otherwise suffers damage, it stops speaking with the computer, putting your engine at risk of damage. It could also damage your catalytic converter enough to need replacement.
Fuel Injector Problems
Your fuel injectors spray pressurized fuel into your engine’s combustion chamber at precise intervals. This allows the fuel to mix with air in the chamber, allowing it to ignite as the spark plugs work their magic. Over time, the injectors can clog, leak, or generally wear out, which causes them to malfunction, if not outright fail to work anymore. Your engine might start misfiring as a result or may not start up or stay running.
Need Help with Your Euro Car’s Check Engine Light Issues?
When your Mercedes check engine light turns on, don’t expect the worst. Instead, call (707) 448-1282 to speak with our team at Motoring Specialists Inc. in Vacaville CA. We’ll help you find a convenient time to visit our auto repair shop for vehicle diagnostics. Oftentimes, the problem comes down to something simple that we can promptly repair and get you back on the road fast. So, skip the worries in favor of visiting our shop at 742 E Main St, Vacaville, CA 95688 whenever your dashboard lights give you trouble.
