When That Dreaded Engine Failure Warning Light Comes On, It Could Be a False Alarm — Here's How to Tell

If this light comes on, you could be facing a hefty bill ;e at the garage. But before you take out your credit card, check that it is not a false alarm by following our checklist.

This is one of the most dreaded warning lights. And for good reason, because there is a chance that this engine failure warning light on indicates the start of a hefty bill at the garage. However, it is often a false alarm. If the engine failure warning light comes on, it means that there is a problem with your engine or with the electronics that manage the fuel injection. There could also be a malfunction with your catalytic converter. This sounds expensive and it often is, so it is recommended to consult your garage promptly, as mentioned in your car's manual.

However, before you open your wallet, it is worth checking a few things yourself to make sure that it is not a false alarm. The warning light comes on, for example, on almost all cars from the last 20 years if the fuel cap is not screwed on properly. So first check whether the fuel cap is screwed on properly when the warning light comes on. Especially if it happens right after filling up. The cap could also be loose or broken.

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A faulty power supply can also be the cause of the warning light being on. Therefore, make sure that the battery terminals are securely attached. Another possible cause is that the engine is drawing air from a different location than intended. This can happen, for example, if “stale air” is being drawn in through the air filter housing. Therefore, check whether the fasteners on the air filter housing are loose. air are not loose.

Finally, poorly positioned or displaced floor mats on the driver's side can also be the cause of this warning light coming on. A poorly positioned mat can, for example, cause the accelerator pedal to remain slightly depressed due to friction. If this is detected by your engine management system, the dreaded light may also come on.

In most cases, the light will turn off by itself or stay off when you restart the car. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and you may need to take the car to a garage to reset the engine light. If the warning light flashes or lights up red, contact your service centre or garage immediately – especially if your engine is running rough or losing power. This is often a sign that there is a real problem.