What the ‘Check Engine’ Light Could Mean

The first thing to check is the gas cap if your model has one. You may have forgotten to tighten it properly the last time you filled up at a station. When the cap is loose, it sends a message to the system of a leak in the vapor recovery system, part of the vehicle’s emissions.

Other common problems which trigger the Check Engine Light includes sensors and spark plug wires. A more serious issue occurs when there is damage to the catalytic converter. In this case, the light may flash rather than burn steadily. The flashing light indicates a more serious problem that should be dealt with right away. The vehicle may be misfiring, which will also lead to a flashing light because it can damage the catalytic converter.

If the Check Engine light is on, you need to have it serviced by a technician who will read the code that goes with the problem. If the light is flashing, don’t continue driving it.