Can check engine light come on and nothing be wrong?

Normally, the appearance of a check engine light indicates a problem somewhere in your vehicle, but nothing seems amiss. Your car is still running at its best and there seems to be absolutely nothing wrong. It doesn’t have to take a mechanical issue in order for this light to appear.

What can cause a car to run hot but not overheating?

As a general rule, you can say your car is running hot but not overheating because of a problem with the cooling system. Cooling system problems include a failing water pump, low coolant level, old coolant that is no longer effective, a faulty engine coolant thermostat or a faulty auxiliary fan.

Will check engine light come on for a bad thermostat?

The most noticeable issues occur when the thermostat gets stuck in either the open or closed position. A malfunction can result in a trouble code, generated by the engine’s computer, which can turn on your check engine light.

Can check engine light come on due to cold?

Can extreme cold temperatures cause the check engine light to come on? Also something to consider is that with freezing temperatures and ice formation, the sensitive electronic circuits may be receiving false voltage readings. It’s okay to drive the car if the check engine light is steady.

What to do when your check engine light comes on?

If your check engine light has appeared due to overheating, you’ll probably notice other signs, such as a high temperature gauge or smoking from under the hood. This is a potentially severe problem, so look for the warning signs, reduce your speed, and attempt to reduce your engine temperature by turning on the heat as a release.

What happens when the Check Engine light Pops on?

On modern vehicles, the check engine light will also pop on when there’s a misfire. When the check engine light illuminates, your car’s primary computer, which is often referred to as the powertrain control module (PCM), will store a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in its memory.

What does it mean when your check engine light says gas is leaking?

If you get an error pointing to the gas cap, it means fuel vapors are leaking out of your cap. This means it’s either cracked or just wasn’t tightened well enough.

Why does my engine light not come on?

The light should come on when you turn the key to “ON,” and it should go out after the engine starts. If it NEVER comes on I’d suspect the bulb. Most CELs ground through the ECM so if the first suspect bulb is good then there could be an ECM fault. Hopefully it’s the bulb.

Why is my Check Engine light still on after filling up?

The cap is a crucial part of a car’s fuel delivery system. It notably prevents gasoline fumes from leaving the fuel tank, and it helps keep the whole system under the correct pressure. If your check engine light turns on immediately after a fill-up, pull over and make sure the cap isn’t loose — or still on your car’s roof.

What to do when your car engine overheats?

This means that proper radiator function is vital to maintaining the engine temperature. When a radiator problem is causing your engine to overheat, one of the first things you should check is the radiator fan and all of the fan parts.

Why does my car overheat when I Turn on the fan?

Your radiator is responsible for cooling down the engine coolant as it passes through. This means that proper radiator function is vital to maintaining the engine temperature. When a radiator problem is causing your engine to overheat, one of the first things you should check is the radiator fan and all of the fan parts.

What should you do if your check engine light is blinking?

According to Consumer Reports, blinking could indicate an emergency. If the light is blinking, pull over, turn the car off, and call for assistance. A steady light means there’s no immediate cause for alarm, but you should still get it checked out.