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How to remove an engine check? Why the CHECK is lit in the car - what to do, is it possible to go and how to extinguish it The check is on error 2231.

Car malfunction is unpleasant. A breakdown will become unexpected if the vehicle is not followed and warned. One of them is the "Check engine" light. How to understand what the problem is, what it indicates and what to do if it caught fire.

Button assignment

The dashboard in a car is a way for the driver to monitor the level of gasoline, oil, the state of the engine or other components of the car, which guarantee a comfortable and quiet road trip.

Modern cars are equipped with an indicator necessary for the convenience and comfort of the driver. If earlier the engine malfunction had to be found only visually or by careful listening to the work, today a special light works. It is designed for the convenience of monitoring the condition of the engine. Ideally, it should light up only when the engine is started and go out after a couple of seconds.

If the light does not go out or lights up when driving, then you should think about malfunctions in the operation of the main component of the car.

How serious the reasons can be

Each signal on the car dashboard is an indicator that the driver must be attentive. When the check engine light comes on, there are several reasons.

  1. Gasoline is a common cause. Due to the additives that unscrupulous manufacturers use in gasoline, the engine does not work properly, clogs up. Change the fuel or refuel at a different gas station, and everything works correctly.
  2. Defective candles.
  3. Breakage of the ignition coil.
  4. Triggered oxygen sensor (lambda probe).
  5. Broken exhaust catalyst.
  6. Incorrect operation of high voltage conductors.
  7. Malfunction of injectors.
  8. Fuel pump or fuel filter.

The check should start from the fuel filler cap. If it is not fully tightened or defects appear on it, then the light indicates a malfunction of the engine.

Each of the reasons is not very scary, but requires elimination immediately. If you do not pay attention in time and do not diagnose the malfunction, you can lead to complete engine damage and the machine's disability.

An engine is serious, but the job does not necessarily require a major overhaul or engine replacement. The work of the craftsmen is important in any issue related to the diagnosis and repair of the engine. But, if the reason is candles, then the replacement is carried out independently and quickly, without the involvement of masters.

What to do if the light is on

If you see that the engine check light does not burn as it should (it does not go out after starting the engine or burns when driving), then it is worth stopping to diagnose the car. You can do this not immediately, but it is necessary. Remember, if it lights up, this is the reason either go to the service station for diagnostics, or check the engine for faults.

The first thing that can be done when a light bulb comes on is to stop and listen to how the engine works: is there a troit, is there any extraneous noise or knocking. If you hear extraneous sounds, they indicate the cause of the breakdown to an experienced driver. If the cause of the breakdown is not clear to you, the direct road is to the nearest service station.

If the reason for the light bulb lighting is low-quality fuel (this can be determined after diagnostics, after excluding other reasons), then the service technicians will tell you that it is worth changing the type of fuel poured into the car or the place where you are used to refueling.

They also carry out a visual inspection of the engine for cracks, irregularities, leaks. If you yourself find a breakdown, then repairs are carried out according to the reason.

  • Oxygen sensor. It is worth replacing it yourself, following the operating instructions for a car of a particular brand. If you do not make a replacement in time, then there will be an excessive consumption of fuel and the catalyst may break down, the replacement of which will be much more expensive.
  • Leakage in the fuel tank is the reason for air getting inside, which means overspending. It is worth either replacing the lid or achieving tightness by means of gaskets.
  • Candles. This is the main element that ensures the ignition of the fuel mixture. If it does not work correctly, then the car will refuse to work at all. Replacing candles is not difficult if you are already an experienced driver. You can change either only the candle that has already worked out its own, or all at once, in order to probably already avoid malfunctions in the car. In the store it is worth buying a set of candles just for your car. If you are not sure that you will buy the correct option and can change it, then go to the service station, there are already the necessary parts and the specialists will be able to replace it quickly and affordably. In the matter of candles, it is worth remembering that old-style cars require replacement every 20,000 km, and if the car is new, then on the same candles it can travel up to 150,000 km. If you change the plugs on time in accordance with the requirements of the technical operation of your car, then you can avoid damage to the catalyst and improve engine performance.
  • Replacing the MAF sensor. This part regulates the amount of air that is needed for a quick ignition. When it is faulty, it means excessive fuel consumption, an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the exhaust, poor acceleration, and a decrease in engine power. Most often, the breakdown is associated with an incorrectly installed air filter or the filter has already expired. When it comes to changing the sensor, the costs are related to the price of the sensor itself, but the replacement service in the service is not so expensive, because it does not require a lot of time and is simple in technology. Regular filter replacement guarantees long sensor life.

Nuances of the "Check engine" light bulb

The check engine light on the instrument panel appeared in the early 90s. but then the work of the sensor was aimed only at monitoring the operation of the carburetor. That is, the light came on when:

  • There was a blockage;
  • The combustible mixture was prepared incorrectly for engine operation, etc.

Today, the work of a light bulb is much wider. Carburetors in cars of the new model no longer exist. Injectors are installed instead. It is in connection with this novelty in the car that the light shows not only the wrong mixture. Thanks to her, the driver learns about:

  • Interruptions in work;
  • Ignition problems;
  • Poor gear shifting and more.

See what else a burning check engine light may indicate (video)

Outcome

Thus, thanks to such a light on the panel, you can control almost every element of the engine, its condition and performance.

The engine control light on the driver's dash is a status indicator. If it does not burn according to the rules, then you should pay attention to this and go for a diagnosis. Timely elimination of breakdowns is a guarantee of safety and comfort on the road. Attentiveness to your car will exclude breakdown at the most inopportune moment.

Modern car models have a special indicator on their dashboard or, which in Russian means "Check the engine". It signals that a malfunction has occurred in the power plant of the car or other components and assemblies, which may negatively affect the quality and safety of traffic. Let's take a closer look at what Check Engine means and what actions need to be taken when such a signal appears.

A lit Check Engine icon indicates a problem

Purpose of the diagnostic system

When the Check Engine light is on, this indicates that the electronic engine control unit has detected an error in the functioning of any of the engine components. The following parameters are subject to control using this system:

  • engine speed,
  • operation of the sensors for petrol injection and exhaust system,
  • ignition functioning and much more.

Given the number of monitored nodes, there can be many reasons for the Check Engine indicator to work. And to identify them, you need some knowledge and skills, and in some cases - special equipment.

Action when an alarm is detected

Consider what to do if Check Engine lights up? It should be noted right away that the blinking of this light does not always mean a breakdown. If it flashed when the engine was started and went out instantly, no need to worry. But if it worked while the car was moving and blinks for a long time, you should pay attention to this and take measures to detect the problem.

The reasons why this happens can be divided into 2 groups: easily fixable and more critical for the operation of the machine. In the latter case, you must immediately go to the service to diagnose and fix the breakdown. In many other cases, you can cope with the trouble yourself.

Reasons for the indicator

In most cases, the reasons for the Check Engine light to come on are:

  1. Opened fuel tank cap. It can be badly twisted or lost while driving. This affects the pressure inside the fuel system, it deviates from the norm, which is what the indicator informs the driver about. To fix the problem, you need to close the tank more tightly or buy a new cap.
  2. Ingress of moisture. The indicator can light up during rain or after washing the engine, when water gets on the spark plug wires, causing short circuits, which are perceived by the monitoring system as a malfunction. In such situations, you need to be more careful and, after washing, ask the employee to dry the high-voltage wire connections with a stream of air.
  3. Poor quality gasoline. Even a small amount of impurities in gasoline affects spark plugs, causing them to malfunction. The presence of carbon deposits on them helps to identify this. If this is the reason for the indicator operation, it is recommended to drain the low-quality fuel and replace it with another one.
  4. Insufficient oil level. When the CheckEngine lamp flashes while driving, you need to stop, open the hood and listen to the noises and sounds emitted by the engine. If you do not hear any suspicious and alarming sounds, and the inspection of the motor did not reveal any visual defects and smudges, it is necessary.

However, sometimes this signal can be the result of more serious problems:

  1. Faulty spark plugs. Inspection may reveal a large gap between the electrodes or a crack in the insulator. In the first case, set the gap to no more than 1.3 mm, in the second, replace the candles.
  2. Ignition coil defective. It is necessary to figure out whether a spark is emitted, and also to measure the value of resistance at the terminals of the coil. If there is no spark or the multimeter shows a large deviation from the nominal value, the part must be replaced.
  3. Breakage - lambda probe. The failure of this element often entails the activation of the Check Engine light. If the check has confirmed this, the best way out of this situation is to replace the damaged part.
  4. Problems with the catalyst. The catalyst is checked for defects and, in the event of a malfunction, is replaced with a new one.
  5. Injector problems. If you suspect that they are not working correctly, you need to check if they are clogged and clean. If this measure did not help, it is necessary to replace the nozzles with new ones.
  6. Improper operation of the fuel pump or fuel filter. The malfunction can be eliminated by replacing the defective or worn-out part.
  7. Low rail pressure. It is necessary to check that this indicator is at least three atmospheres. Otherwise, clean the filter or change the fuel pump.
  8. Defective high-voltage wires. To check them, you need to follow these steps. In a pan made of aluminum or stainless steel, pour a salt solution based on the proportion of 1 liter of water 1 tablespoon of salt. Lower the wire there so that the tips are above the water. Attach a megohmmeter to one tip, and fasten the other to the pan. If the indicator is less than 500 kΩ, then the resistance is insufficient and the wires should be replaced.

Diagnosing the problem using a dedicated computer

Many drivers are faced with a situation where the Check Engine is on, but there is no car in the car that would indicate a specific problem. Then it is necessary to use a diagnostic scanner, which, when connected to the on-board system of the car, gains access to the electronic engine control unit and issues a breakdown code.

The Check Engine computer program with a special adapter allows the driver to use a regular PDA, mobile phone, laptop or Car PC as a diagnostic device that can determine the cause of the indicator.

With the help of the mentioned software and hardware complex, you can:

  • read, decode and delete fault codes according to the information of the car manufacturer;
  • monitor the parameters of the functioning of the motor, such as speed, temperature, state of sensors, and so on;
  • control gasoline consumption;
  • take into account the distance, time, average speed and other parameters of the vehicle.

How to remove an error from the dashboard

After troubleshooting, the indicator itself on the dashboard does not go out. Therefore, we will consider how to remove the Check Engine error after the repair is completed.

It can be removed from the on-board computer manually, but only after you have checked for the above reasons for the indicator to work and eliminated the problems that have arisen. If nothing could be done, it is better to contact a car service to a specialist so as not to harm the car even more.

If you carefully monitor the Check Engine indicator, respond to its signals in time and correctly, identify possible causes of its operation and quickly eliminate them, then your car will serve you for a long time without the need for major repairs.

Almost all new cars are equipped with an electronic engine management system, which often displays a Check engine error on the instrument panel. Translated from English, a check is a check, and an engine is an engine. Therefore, it is easy to guess that the emergency light indicates some problem in the operation of the power plant and the need for diagnostics.

general information

There are a lot of reasons due to which the engine check comes on. The error appears on the dashboard suddenly and without warning, and it is not easy to determine what led to this. And even if the vehicle is equipped with automatic diagnostic tools, such as BMW, Porsche, VW or Audi, which scan the vehicle systems for failures, it is impossible to find the source of such an error without a technical inspection.

To an ordinary motorist, the inscription Check engine does not say anything at all, so you need to visit a service center as soon as possible and check the engine. However, in some cases, you can find the source of the error and fix it at home. To do this, you need to understand the key causes of the notification and how to solve them. Timely diagnostics is a good way to return the car to its previous performance, saving money.

Damage or incorrect operation of the oxygen sensor (lambda probe) can lead to the appearance of the inscription "auto check". This element is an important part of the exhaust gas treatment system, which monitors the amount of oxygen remaining after the combustion of the fuel / air mixture. In case of failure lambda probe, the electronic control unit receives incorrect information, which leads to the following problems:

  • A sudden increase in fuel consumption.
  • Reducing the power of the power plant.

Modern cars are equipped with two or four oxygen sensors, so an error scanner will have to be used to identify the damaged part. If your garage has such a device, then checking the engine will be simple.

There are many reasons for damage or malfunction of this sensor. One of the most common is the coating of the part with oily soot, which prevents the normal reading of indicators. As a result, fuel consumption starts to rise and the exhaust system emits large amounts of CO2 pollutants.

Faced with such problems, you need to immediately change the oxygen sensor, otherwise another unit - the catalyst - may fail. The repair of the latter is more expensive due to the presence of precious alloys in its composition. And if several catalysts are installed in the car at once, then the total cost of repairs can reach 90,000 rubles. Such an impressive cost can be avoided if the sensor is replaced in time.

A new element is also not cheap, but buying it will cost hundreds of times less than repairing the entire exhaust gas converter system. It is not difficult to implement the replacement of an element with your own hands. To do this, it is enough to determine where the lambda probe is located and remove it to install a new one.

Trying to understand why the engine check is on fire, car owners consider the worst-case scenarios, but do not pay attention to minor breakdowns. Among them is the loss of sealing of the fuel system due to deformation or improper fixation of the filler cap. With such a defect, the error icon may suddenly light up. If the system is not properly sealed due to air penetration through the cover, fuel consumption will increase, and the Check engine notification will appear on the dashboard.

If, after the indication comes on, the car does not lose its previous power, and there are no sound changes in the operation of the power plant (knocking, hum, creak), you need to do the following:

  • Check the tightness of the gas tank. If the filler cap has been damaged, it must be replaced.
  • Check that the cover is securely fixed. If the cap is not tightened enough, air will enter the fuel system, which will cause the indicator to light up. It is enough to tighten it to the end, and then continue driving. If you do everything correctly, the error will disappear after a while.

The task of an automobile catalyst is to clean the exhaust gases from toxic impurities, which is provided for by environmental standards. The element converts carbon monoxide and other hazardous substances into harmless compounds, so the exhaust becomes cleaner. And if the catalyst malfunctioned or was completely out of order, this will be displayed on the instrument panel in the form of a Check engine indication. Also, a breakdown may be accompanied by a decrease in vehicle power by about 2 times, which will worsen the previous acceleration dynamics.

The reasons for catalyst failure are different. The most common are the following:

  • Lack of regular maintenance.
  • Damage to the oxygen sensor and untimely installation of a new one.
  • Spark plug wear.

If the last two elements fail, the carbon monoxide mixture remains harmful, overflowing with toxic impurities. Such a composition leads to severe overheating, and then to damage to the catalyst.

If a part becomes faulty, you will have to suspend driving the car, since the motor will not be able to function normally and a corresponding notification will appear on the dashboard. In addition, catalyst wear will increase fuel consumption and reduce the normal thrust of the power plant.

Buying a new catalyst is an expensive investment, but it is inevitable. There are also alternative solutions in the form of installing a flame arrester, but this option cannot replace a failed unit and it has drawbacks. Having no experience in carrying out repairs, it is better not to start it yourself. Instead, the task should be entrusted to a professional auto mechanic.

Illumination of the inscription "check" on the dashboard also happens when spark plugs or high-voltage wires are worn out. Without these elements, the process of ignition of the fuel mixture will become impossible, since the spark plug will not be able to supply a normal spark. Damage to this element can be signaled by the following problems:

  • No spark.
  • Unnatural spark interval.

Such failures lead to improper operation of the power plant, which will be felt when accelerating from a standstill. The average service life of spark plugs in modern cars is 150,000 km. Models manufactured before 1996 need to be replaced every 25-30 thousand km. However, the established operational life can be reduced under the influence of various factors. This is primarily due to poor fuel quality and driver's driving style.

If the spark plugs have not been replaced for a long time, and serious malfunctions are felt in the engine, you need to change them as quickly as possible. It is important not to postpone such work until the distant future, since this will entail unjustified financial costs. New candles are inexpensive and you can replace them yourself.

After such a simple repair, the quality of the engine will significantly improve, and the fuel consumption will be returned to normal. To change a part, just open the hood and unscrew the old candles with an ordinary spark plug wrench.

In addition to these elements, high-voltage wires can also fail, which supply a spark to the spark plugs. Therefore, they also need replacement and maintenance. Correct and timely replacement of spark plugs will extend the service life of important vehicle components and make their work well-coordinated, reliable and of high quality.

Other reasons

The appearance of the Check engine inscription often happens after a recent refueling at a gas station. In such a case, the engine loses speed and malfunctions without any hint of serious damage. The culprit of an unpleasant phenomenon may be low-quality fuel or its inadequacy for a specific type of engine.

Faced with such a problem, the electronic control unit will record the appearance of knocking and various violations during the combustion of the mixture, which will be displayed as a Check engine error. This problem is solved very simply: it is enough to add high-quality gasoline or diesel fuel to the fuel poured into the tank and the error will disappear by itself.

But if the quality of the fuel is critically low, you may have to drain it, cleaning the entire power system. If the error does not disappear even after such radical solutions, you have to reset it programmatically using special equipment.

Also, overheating of the power plant or a decrease in the oil content in the internal combustion engine can cause the indicator to light up. In this case, you need to estimate the current temperature of the motor. If there are no signs of overheating, just check the engine oil level and condition. At a normal level of the mixture, the engine will operate without third-party knocks and sounds, both at idle and under active load.

Considering the reasons for the appearance of the "check" inscription, one cannot fail to mention the engine triple structure. The problem develops against the background of damage to spark plugs, high-voltage wires, coils and other elements from this system. It can also appear if the fuel is not injected correctly into one of the cylinders.

The list of reasons that cause the Check engine indicator to light up is very extensive. If you make one general list, then it will include the following points:

  1. Poor quality of the fuel mixture. The problem is solved by draining fuel or diluting with a better product.
  2. Damaged or worn spark plugs, abnormal gap between the side and center electrodes. In case of such a breakdown, it is necessary to check and clean the elements or replace the set of candles.
  3. Defects in high-voltage wires. If insulation breakdown occurs in these elements or contacts are damaged, the spark will be interrupted. We'll have to replace the spark plug wires.
  4. Ignition coil problems. This node also needs to be carefully checked for any problems.
  5. Malfunctions of the fuel injectors. The problem results in poor fuel delivery, which prevents the engine from operating normally.
  6. Failure of the fuel pump. Damage to this element is accompanied by insufficient fuel pressure. The problem is caused by the contamination of the pump mesh and the deterioration of the filter capacity.
  7. Problems with the catalyst and lambda probe. If one of the specified nodes ceases to cope with its tasks, a corresponding error notification will appear on the dashboard. On some car models, you can remove these elements, but on others you have to buy new ones. Such repairs are not cheap, but inevitable.
  8. Incorrect operation of important sensors. If certain elements of the ECM cease to function normally, this will be accompanied by an error on the display panel. We are talking about the camshaft position sensor, speed sensor, mass air flow sensor and others.

In general, you can also understand the reason for the Check engine light coming on at home. Sometimes it is insignificant and practically does not affect the operation of the power plant, but sometimes it is accompanied by serious engine malfunctions in the form of loss of power or a sudden stop of the machine.

Nevertheless, the ECU itself, which was disabled, may become the cause of the error. It is impossible to eliminate such a breakdown on your own; you will have to show the car to a workshop employee. And the sooner this is done, the more successful and cheaper the restoration of the car will be.

Which dashboard icon scares the Renault owner the most? That's right, Check Engine. Let's try to figure out why the on-board computer detects an error in the engine and what to do about it.

Indicator Check and its purpose

The engine icon, Check Engine, which drivers often call a "check", normally lights up only when the engine is started - and goes out a few seconds later, after the electronics checks that the systems are ready for operation. The indicator literally translates as "check the engine".

If the "check" does not go out or lights up while driving with the engine running, it reports that a failure has occurred in the operation of the motor and its electronic systems.

To find out the cause of the problem, you need to connect the Renault on-board computer via a special cable to the computer and carry out diagnostics - reading engine errors.

Why does the engine check light up?

A lit Check Engine light indicates a variety of engine problems. Most often, Renault owners are faced with such ones as:

  • poor fuel quality / leaking fuel tank
  • the fuel pump is broken, the fuel filter is clogged
  • insufficient engine oil level
  • faulty spark plugs
  • the lambda probe is out of order
  • the mass air flow sensor DMRV is out of order
  • the exhaust gas catalyst is out of order

Check Engine on fire - what to do

As soon as the Renault owner sees a "check" on his dashboard, while the car is in motion, he must stop as quickly as possible, and also listen to the engine.

  • If no suspicious sounds are found, you can start inspecting the car.
  • If, at the same time as the Check Engine lights up, you hear noise, hum, knocking and other extraneous sounds under the hood, the engine troit and loses power - stop as soon as possible and call a tow truck. Attempting to keep driving in this case will result in engine damage.

In any case, the appearance of the "check" indicator should be taken very carefully. Turning off the battery or throwing off the terminal so that the icon goes out, and continue driving is not an option. It is necessary to understand the essence of the problem, replace the failed elements and sensors, and not blame everything on "electronics failures".

However, experienced owners can perform a number of diagnostics and even fix them on their own.

What you need to check if the "check" on Renault lights up

  • It is worth checking first, is the gas tank cap tightly closed?... If the "check" caught fire immediately after refueling, it is probably the fault of low-quality fuel. In this case, you need to completely drain the bad gasoline or diesel fuel from the gas tank and refuel with another, high-quality fuel. If the cover is not tightened enough or is cracked, the indicator will light up too.
  • Open the hood and inspect the engine for oil stains and damage? Then remove the dipstick and wait until the engine has cooled down, check oil level, top up if necessary.
  • The main reason why the "check" lights up on petrol Renault - failure of the ECM system elements - spark plugs, coils, high-voltage wires, sensors - especially the mass air flow sensor and lambda probe. Therefore, open the hood, carefully inspect the candles, clean the carbon deposits from them, or better - replace them, and the whole set as a whole. We wrote about how to independently check ignition coils on Renault. Separate attention should be paid to the insulation of the wiring.
  • It is better to entrust the diagnostics of sensors to professionals. Oxygen sensor (lambda probe) over time, it becomes covered with oil soot, and cleaning will not help here - the sensor needs to be changed.
  • DMRV It "measures" the amount of air that enters the combustion chamber and helps the engine "prepare" the correct mixture. If it fails, the engine is unstable, troit, fuel consumption rises, the "check" lights up - all because of a poor or too rich fuel mixture. A broken mass air flow sensor must be replaced with a new one. And in order for the DMRV to work correctly, do not forget about replacing the air filter.
  • In diesel "Renault" the Check Engine indicator can report fuel system malfunctions - failure of nozzles or their nozzles, breakdown or corrosion of parts of the injection pump. The diagnostics and troubleshooting of Renault high-precision diesel fuel equipment should be entrusted to professionals.
  • Also, the "check" may burn due to a failed fuel pump and clogged with deposits fuel filter... To prevent such a problem, never drive with an empty tank, and on diesel Renault, change the filter before cold weather every year.
  • Finally, the cause of the Check Engine light problem is worth looking at malfunction of the exhaust gas catalyst. The catalyst cleans the diesel engine exhaust, and when it gets clogged with dirt itself, the engine power drops, the "check" lights up. The problem is typical for Renault with impressive mileage. The solution is to replace the catalyst, but due to the high cost, car owners simply cut it out, replacing it with a flame arrester.

We wrote about why the ABS icon appears on the Renault dashboard

It often happens that an emergency sensor light comes on on the instrument panel in an electronically controlled vehicle. If the car starts up, continues to work, but the check of the engine comes on, this means that the inclusion occurred in emergency mode. Some models of modern cars (Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porshe, VW) are equipped with a system capable of self-diagnosis, errors in decrypted form are sent to the information panel. But drivers do not always manage to understand why the check of engine malfunction caught fire.

What does the Check Engine signal mean

The driver turns on the ignition to start the engine. If the check of the engine flashes at the same time, this should not cause concern, since it will soon go out. But a burning signal, when the engine is running, indicates a malfunction in its operation.

In the event of a malfunction in the operation of the power unit, an error is recorded in the memory of the control unit in the form of a coded signal. In this case, the engine check is lit on the dashboard. If the car does not provide automatic diagnostics, you need to connect a scanning device to a special connector. The scanner reads the code and performs a detailed error decryption.

With the development of electronics, the Check Engine indicator has evolved from a simple malfunction sensor to a signaling device with many functions. A modern engine check when flashing reports the following inconsistencies:

  • improper composition of fuel mixtures;
  • malfunctions of settings in the ignition system;
  • sensor failures.

It is also responsible for reporting non-powertrain issues. To identify the place of occurrence and the nature of the breakdown, the master will need professional knowledge, experience, special devices and tools.

Important: The electronic unit ECU gives a command to blink the indicator, as a result of detecting errors of varying degrees of complexity. Among them, there are both serious and minor problems. For the purpose of diagnostics, it is recommended to suspend the operation of the vehicle. Experienced car owners often independently determine the reason for including the check, without waiting for a visit to the service station.

Signs of major malfunctions and causes of the indicator signal

If, while the car is moving, the Engine check comes on after refueling at a gas station, the most likely reason is the inadequate quality of the filled gasoline. In this case, the following symptoms are observed:

  1. Decrease in power.
  2. Interruptions in engine operation (stalls).
  3. Detonation due to incomplete combustion of fuel.
  • add a portion of higher quality fuel to the tank;
  • drain recently filled gasoline, clean the fuel system.

If the check does not want to go out after the cause has been eliminated, it is required to delete the error recorded in the device memory using a special computer program.

Checking the oil level and its condition

The next most important reasons for the occurrence of a signal are overheating of the engine, a decrease in the level of lubricant in the internal combustion engine. It is recommended to check the engine temperature. If there is no overheating, check the volume and condition of the oil. After checking the level, add the missing amount of lubricant. Using a clean paper napkin, the quality and composition of the engine oil is checked according to the following criteria:

  1. Color.
  2. Consistency.
  3. The presence of mechanical impurities.
  4. The smell of burning.

If everything is in order with the quality and quantity of oil, the engine starts in order to exclude unusual sounds, noises during operation both in idle mode and under load.

If non-standard noise effects of a running engine are detected against the background of a burning check, it is recommended to send the car to the nearest service company. Moving the car on your own is not recommended; delivery is carried out by towing or in another convenient way. Further operation can lead to serious breakdowns and costly repairs to the elements of the power unit.

Blinking indicator and triple engine

When the check flashes and the engine troit at the same time, it is necessary to inspect the elements of the ignition system:

  • wiring;
  • coil.

The triple effect occurs when only three combustion chambers work instead of all four. The engine begins to triple in the absence of injection of the air-fuel mixture into one cylinder.


Used and dirty spark plugs also cause the Check Engine warning light to illuminate. In order not to think for a long time how to remove the engine check, you just need to clean or completely replace the outdated spark plugs with a new set.

Testing the ignition coil is reduced to measuring the resistance at the terminals and testing for the ability to create a blue spark.

What to do if the engine check caught fire due to failures in the fuel supply system

In case of violations associated with the flow of fuel into the cylinders, it is recommended to check the condition of the spray nozzles. Their holes must be cleaned, rinsed, if necessary, completely replaced with new devices.

A decrease in pressure in the fuel system is caused by malfunctions:

  1. Gasoline pump (in carburetor, injection engines).
  2. Fuel filter
  3. High pressure fuel pump (in diesel).

If the ignition of the check is caused by a failure of the catalytic converter, drivers simply remove it from the exhaust system and then turn off the corresponding sensor (oxygen).

How to reset a check engine error

In the event of critical errors in the operation of the engine, the information is recorded in the ECU memory and is not deleted on its own even after the defect is eliminated. In this case, the check continues to glow. To reset the recorded error with their own hands, experienced car owners perform the following operations:

  • warm up the motor to operating temperatures;
  • disconnect the terminal on the battery for a while (from 5 to 15 minutes);
  • restore the connection with the terminal;
  • insert and turn the ignition key without reaching the start (while all indicators on the devices are on);
  • wait one minute;
  • turn the key in the opposite direction.


Most often, such actions lead to the desired result, the error code disappears from the memory of the ECU unit. The check stops glowing after turning on and running the engine in idle mode for three minutes.

If the terminal disconnection method does not work, the indicator continues to blink, the error is removed from the memory of the control device using special computer programs through the OBD diagnostic connector of the pinout.

The control unit can also cause the check signal to turn on if individual elements of the ECU are partially or completely damaged.

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It begins in the early 60s with the launch of the 901 model. Since back in the 20s of the XX ...
Installation on a Niva: tips for power steering
As you know, the purpose of the power steering, be it electric or hydraulic, ...