SYMPTOMS OF A FALSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT -

In this article, you can get some information about the symptoms of a false check engine light.

This is not a frequent occurrence on most cars but when it happens it can cause confusion.

It can even go to the point of making unneeded and costly repairs, essentially it may send you on a wild goose chase.

Hopefully, this article will help in avoiding just that.

Besides this article, you also have our YouTube channel where you can find numerous car-related topics, including more information on the check engine light problem

SYMPTOMS OF A FALSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

1. THE CHECK ENGINE APPEARS ONLY ONCE

The first symptom of a false check engine light you’ll easily notice is that the check engine light appears and then soon after disappears.

After this happens, it doesn’t appear at all.

This symptom is almost a sure sign of a temporary glitch in some of the car’s systems which is usually harmless.

Also, while the check engine light is on, there are no changes whatsoever in how the car runs.

For more information on the reasons for the check engine problem click here.

2. THE ENGINE RUNS NORMALLY

Speaking about no changes, you’ll also notice that the engine runs perfectly normal the whole time the light is up.

So, the check engine light is present on the dashboard but there are no changes whatsoever. No rough idling, no misfires, no sputtering, nothing.

The engine runs perfectly normally.

3. ALL OTHER SYSTEMS WORK NORMALLY

Besides the engine, pay some attention to the other systems in your car.

Pay attention to the shifting (especially on automatic transmission cars), the braking system, the safety systems, and else.

If it’s a false alarm everything will be working as usual without any problems.

4. NO STRANGE SMELLS, LEAKS OR SOUNDS

One more symptom of a false check engine light is that there are no weird smells (like burnt oil or gasoline), leaks under the car, or various strange sounds like hissing, squealing, grinding, or else.

All in all, there are no noticeable anomalies.

Even if you don’t notice anything, it would be good to make a brief inspection of the engine bay and the whole car.

Again, if it’s a false check engine light none of the previously mentioned will be present.

5. NO ELECTRIC OR ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS

The check engine light is known to appear due to electric or electronic problems.

But if you see that all of these systems are working normally while the light is on, then you might have a false check engine light.

6. THE FUEL CONSUMPTION IS THE SAME

One more symptom of a false check engine light you’ll notice is that there is no change in fuel consumption.

Lots of times the check engine light is triggered by systems that influence the fuel consumption.

For instance, if you have a faulty oxygen sensor, it can disturb the air/fuel mixture ratio, cause the check engine light to come up, and seriously increase fuel consumption.

If it’s a false check engine light (caused by some sort of glitch for instance) the fuel consumption will stay the same.

CONCLUSION

To summarize: if the car runs normally, if you can’t notice any problems and the check engine light appears only once you can probably continue driving.

The reason may be bad fuel quality, a glitch in some of the car’s systems, or else that is temporary.

If it appears more than once and in some sort of regular interval then you should check out what’s wrong.

In that case, at least connect an OBD tool and see if you get any DTC codes. If it turns out to be a more serious problem, react on time and if needed make the repair.

In the end, the check engine light is there for a reason, make no mistake about that. But when it appears, give it some time, especially if there are no present serious problems.

Wait and see what happens and react according to that.