Absolutely all cars are equipped with self-diagnosis systems, and the more modern the vehicle, the more sensors it contains. As a result, alarms can be confused. Although you can understand that the car is not all right. But many drivers, especially beginners, are more concerned about what a “check” is in a car (Check Engine).

Meanwhile, his presence on the dashboard should at least alert, because it indicates a probable malfunction of any car system. At best, this may be evidence of a loose gas tank cap. However, the signal may also indicate more serious problems with the engine.

General information

As you know, everything modern cars equipped with an electronic control unit, or ECU. It is also called a controller. Without a doubt, it can be called the brain of a machine and can be compared with a personal computer, only it is a little simpler. Besides than newer machine, the more complex its electronic "stuffing".

As well as desktop personal PCs, in which processors and other components of the motherboard, such as automotive devices improved all the time, and now they are the final product of electronic evolution.

What is a "check" in the car (Check Engine)? In early versions of cars, the main task of the controller was to control the operation of the carburetor. Now the list of tasks of modern ECUs has expanded slightly:

• Tracking the composition of the supplied fuel mixture.
• Fuel monitoring.
• Fixing engine speed.
• Gearshift control in automatic transmission.

And this is far from a complete list, but you can immediately guess that there can be plenty of reasons for the Check light to light up. And therefore, in the absence of certain knowledge, it is quite difficult to independently determine the cause of the appearance of the indicator. Not to mention finding the fault itself. But what is this indicator?

What is the check indicator?

As it was noted at the very beginning of the article, any car has a variety of sensors, each of which performs its task. Some devices record the number of revolutions crankshaft, others monitor the amount of air, the task of the third is to check the quality exhaust gases etc.

But what is a "check", what does it look like in a car, and what does the car's sensors have to do with it? The most immediate! The fact is that the ECU, which is equipped with all cars, at least absolutely all modern models, receives information from all these sensors. They let him understand how this or that system works. vehicle.

But sooner or later something in the car fails, because nothing lasts forever. And one of the sensors sends data to the computer about a violation in the operation of any system. The controller, in turn, writes a special fault code into memory and notifies the driver of this fact by lighting a light on the dashboard.

For some modern car models with a perfect self-diagnosis system, a fault code can be immediately displayed on the display. on-board computer. In other cases, this requires a special scanner that is connected to the diagnostic connector.

The indicator looks like a schematic drawing car engine, and cannot be confused with any other sign.

What is defective and what is not

However, the "check" light in the car (Check Engine) does not always directly indicate a malfunction. There are cases when its appearance is considered the norm. Beginners should not be scared when they see such a warning light when the ignition is turned on. This is a kind of quick diagnostic run, and the indicator should turn off soon. This is what is in the norm.

However, if the indicator continues to burn while the engine is running, this is already a serious reason to think about what it may indicate. As noted above, the computer operates on the data of many sensors, so a minor breakdown and a serious problem can appear as a malfunction.

In any case, if an indicator is found, you should immediately contact the nearest station. Maintenance(SRT) for the purpose of car diagnostics. Experienced drivers can independently determine the cause of the warning light on. But not every beginner can handle it.

What can an emergency indicator mean?

Translated from English, Check Engine means "check the engine." At the same time, the power unit itself may not have anything to do with this and be completely serviceable. It should be borne in mind that the ECU does not control all vehicle systems. Their number depends on design features vehicle.

Since the tasks of modern control units have expanded significantly, the indicator lighting may indicate a malfunction of the systems:

• nutrition;
• ignition;
• removal of exhaust gases;
• lubricants;
• cooling.

By and large, any system that is equipped with a sensor can cause Check indicator on the dashboard.

Can I drive with the Check indicator?

For many beginners, it will be interesting to answer the question of whether it is possible to continue driving the car when the Check indicator appears. It all depends on the correctness of the further actions of the driver at the time of detection of this signal. The main thing is to make decisions competently and in a timely manner, because the ECU detected a malfunction, which he made clear through the "check" sign in the car. And in any case, you should not ignore the breakdown - it will end up being more expensive!

There are situations when the light is on constantly, but there have been no noticeable changes in the operation of the engine. That is, he reacts just as quickly to hard pressing on the gas pedal, there is no loss of power, and the oil and coolant levels are normal. At the same time, there are no other indicators, except for the "check". In this case, the movement can continue, but you should immediately go to the nearest car service. There, during the computer diagnostics, a malfunction will be detected and immediately eliminated.

It is a completely different matter if obvious changes are observed in the operation of the engine, and the indicator does not light up, but flashes. That is, power is lost, extraneous sounds are detected, vibration and the smell of burning appear. Then the car must be immediately stopped and the engine turned off.

This will avoid serious problems in the near future. This behavior of the vehicle can usually indicate overheating power unit, a decrease in the pressure of the engine lubrication system and a number of other malfunctions. Ignoring these signs inevitably leads to costly repairs.

Main reasons

What is a "check" in a car? We can say that this is a harbinger of trouble that will happen if appropriate actions are not taken. The alarm indicator cannot light up on its own, there must be a good reason for this. As a rule, the main causes are associated with interruptions in the operation of the power supply system, ignition, exhaust gases. We will analyze them a little later and in a little more detail.

To begin with, it is worth figuring out how you can understand whether the indicator reports some kind of malfunction or is it a false positive. It occurs during the loss of contact of one of the sensors, which is caused by oxides or vibrations. However, then everything can be restored, the less the indicator will continue to burn, since the computer memory already contains information about the inoperative sensor.

In this case, you need to remove battery negative terminal for a few minutes. At this time, the ECU should reset the settings. The exact time of such a reset depends on the car model and is usually indicated in the instruction manual.

As a result of such manipulation, the error information should also disappear, and the indicator should stop lighting up. However, this should not be abused, and if the Check Engine continues to light up, you need to look for the cause. After all, the indicator is just a consequence of some malfunction, the breakdown itself cannot be eliminated in this way.

Supply system

If the indicator lights up again after resetting the ECU, then this is not a false positive. And it is worth starting with a problem of a global nature for the CIS countries. Often, after visiting the gas station, Check appears on the dashboard soon. In this case, power is lost, and the engine starts to work intermittently, although there are no visible reasons for this behavior of the motor.

In this case, the whole point may be in the quality of the fuel, which may not be suitable for this type of power unit. In this case, the immediate reasons for the appearance of the Check indicator may be:

• failure in work fuel pump;
• low quality fuel;
• injectors are not working properly.

Often, Check starts to light up due to a loosely closed gas tank cap, which can be attributed to cases of false positives. The fact is that the necessary pressure level must be maintained inside the tank for the efficient operation of the fuel pump. Due to the tightly closed lid, the desired vacuum is ensured.

This is what a “check” is in a car: when the cap is loose, air enters the tank, which causes the pump to supply more fuel to the system, which ends with the enrichment of the working mixture. As a result, the composition of the exhaust gases changes, to which the lambda probe responds in a timely manner. And every modern car has it. As a result - the appearance of the indicator on the dashboard. The same applies to poor quality gasoline, which usually contains impurities harmful to the engine, which also change the composition of the exhaust gases.

Malfunctions of the elements of the power system

The appearance of the indicator may be due to a malfunction of the fuel pump and a clogged filter element. Then the fuel pump cannot provide the required level of pressure in the fuel system, which affects the working mixture - it becomes leaner. A lambda probe can detect this too.

In this case, you need to check the performance of the device, not forgetting the filter. Maybe it is very clogged, which also lowers the pressure. If necessary, the parts are replaced with new ones, and the error is reset. At the service station, after determining the reason why the engine "check" caught fire in the car, a reset is always done using a scanner.

As for the nozzles, they can become clogged. This reduces the quality of fuel atomization, which leads to improper engine operation. The problem is solved by flushing the nozzles or replacing them with new parts.

Ignition problems

With regard to the ignition system, a "check" appears in the following cases:

• the candle does not work;
• there is a breakdown in high-voltage wires;
• ignition coil failure.

Due to such defects, the combustion process of the air-fuel mixture is disrupted, which also leads to a change in the composition of the exhaust gases. Each candle has its own resource, after which the spark supply deteriorates, and the fuel does not ignite properly. In this connection, having found an already familiar indicator on the instrument panel, you should first check the candles. Especially when they haven't changed in a long time.

And after them, you can proceed to check the wires going to them, and the ignition coils. After troubleshooting, the main thing is not to forget to reset the error.

Could it be the exhaust gases?

As you might guess, in most cases, the "check" blinks in the car due to the readings of the lambda probe. But often the sensor itself contributes to this. During the operation of the car, a large deposit can form on the oxygen sensor, which affects its operation. In this case, you need to check its performance.

But in addition to the lambda probe, the cause of the "check" can be a catalytic converter (if any). This element of the system can become very clogged, which leads to a loss of functionality. The problem is solved by replacing the catalyst, which has a very high price. How Alternative option- install a flame arrester.

As a result

As you can understand, the Check indicator appears not only with a false positive, but can also indicate a serious malfunction. If a car enthusiast has a desire, you can purchase a car scanner and practice troubleshooting on your own. It is also important not only to know what a "check engine" is in a car, but also to make appropriate decisions.

Finally, I would like to wish all drivers to carefully monitor the condition of their iron horses and not bring everything to an expensive repair. And for this, it is worth at least timely scheduled maintenance.

It is impossible to completely avoid the ignition of the Check indicator in the conditions of domestic realities. It remains to wish as rare as possible its appearance.

The serial equipment of cars with computer systems that allow you to quickly find faults began about three decades ago. The connection of such systems to special testers is carried out at the expense of the connectors located in them and is carried out only under the conditions of service by specialists. The car owner is notified of the presence of problems by the lit Check Engine light on the dashboard.

A similar warning system is used on modern car models - it is installed on almost all cars with injection engines controlled by a microprocessor. Therefore, the owners of such cars should have an idea of ​​​​what to do if the check light is on and what could be the reasons for turning it on.

Location of the Check Engine signal. What does it mean to work?

The location of the Check Engine indicator on the dashboard

The Check Engine light is located on the dashboard of the car. The reason for its operation is the detection by the internal combustion engine electronic control unit of an error in the operation of any system, unit or engine assembly. The system controls several parameters:

• the number of revolutions of the motor;
• composition of the fuel mixture;
• functioning of the ignition system;
• operation of the exhaust system and fuel injection sensors and many other systems.

There can be many reasons for the operation of the Check Engine system, since it monitors the operation of many vehicle components. To determine a specific malfunction, not only knowledge of the system operation is required, but also the availability of special equipment.

Is it possible to operate a car with a check on fire

No worries

The Check Engine light, like other signals on the dashboard, lights up and goes out at the same time when the engine is started. This operation is set to check the performance of all indicators. It is advisable for the car owner to pay attention to this test when starting the engine in order to assess the performance of the bulbs and the absence of errors.

When to keep moving

You can continue driving a car if the indicator lights up smoothly, but no changes in the control and behavior of the car are noticed, the engine responds normally to pressing the gas pedal, and the other indicators on the dashboard are off. Despite the permission for further operation, in such a situation it is possible to move only in the direction of a car service in order to diagnose the system and identify faults.

When not to move

If the Check Engine indicator flashes, and its operation is accompanied by malfunctions in the car, then you should not move on. Ignoring a system malfunction signal can cause serious consequences that may lead to the need for repair work. In such a situation, it is best to call a specialist or a tow truck.

At what malfunctions does the indicator light up?

An accurate determination of the reason for the operation of the Check Engine indicator is possible in a service center with special equipment. However, it is not always possible to get to the service in a short time, so any car owner should be able to independently determine the malfunction.

Determination of the Check Engine error code in a car service

When such a signal is triggered, first of all it is worth checking the most banal things - for example, filler plugs for engine oil and gas tank. Many cars today are equipped with special sensors that monitor the purity of fuel and engine oil. The operation of such sensors causes the Check Engine indicator to light up. It is also worth looking under the hood - if there are open terminals, free cables, the indicator can also work.

Examination engine compartment when the Check Engine light comes on

If there are no visual reasons for the Check Engine to work, then it is worth checking the spark plugs: most often the signal appears precisely because of them, since they can pass electricity pulses due to the appearance of soot and deposits of various metals that make up the fuel. In addition, a malfunction in the engine may be associated with gaps between parts or the appearance of sediment on the surface of the nozzles.

Spark plugs are one of the reasons the Check Engine light comes on.

Worn wiring insulation is likely to trigger the indicator. Defects are not visually determined, so they are searched for with a special device.

Vehicle Wiring Integrity Tester

Serious malfunctions in the car

The reason for the inclusion of the Check Engine indicator may be a serious breakdown. Most often, one has to deal with malfunctions of the fuel pump, the cause of which is the poor quality of the fuel. It is diagnosed very simply - a running engine is tapped. The normal functioning of the motor is accompanied by a smooth sound without interruptions and clicks. If the problem lies in the fuel pump, then it is removed, thoroughly washed, eliminating debris and pollution.

The reason for the indicator is a faulty fuel pump

The indicator may work due to the ignition coil in cases where it incorrectly distributes the electric charge between the spark plugs. If such a breakdown is detected, the part is replaced with a new one. If the machine has individual coils, then the breakdown is found using a tester.

Checking the ignition coil with a tester

A breakdown of the lambda sensor and the air flow sensor can also cause the Check Engine light to turn on. Such parts are not repaired - only replaced. The failure of the catalytic converter also causes the indicator to come on. A non-functioning exhaust system renders many vehicles in emergency mode, so the converter is changed without fail.

Air flow sensor, the failure of which can lead to the ignition of the Check Engine lamp

It is extremely rare that the control unit breaks down, on which the air supply, fuel injection and other processes depend. Failure of such a part leads to huge costs for the driver. The only way out of the situation is to have the device repaired by a qualified electrician.

Additional reasons

Malfunctions of the power unit of the car in most cases provoke the inclusion of the Check Engine lamp while driving. In such cases, it is necessary to stop the car without turning off the engine and check the other indicators on the dashboard. The first thing to take into account is the temperature indicator, the inclusion of which leads to the operation of the Check Engine light. Boiling coolant can lead to irreparable consequences. Modern models cars react to a critical increase in the temperature of the coolant by triggering a special icon on the dashboard, symbolizing a thermometer. In this case, you must either completely stop the car, or continue to drive, but at low engine speeds.

Operation of the indicator of temperature of a cooling liquid

The Check Engine light may come on if the oil pressure sensor is triggered. At an extremely low level lubricant quite often the indicator in the form of an oil can turns on. In such situations, the oil level is checked - if it is not enough, then the lubricant is added. If the fluid level is normal, then the cause lies in a faulty oil pump. You can only fix such a breakdown in a car service.

Operation of the engine oil pressure sensor

Flashing light bulb Check Engine in cases where the automatic transmission of the car is faulty. Often the reason lies in the computer. When the indicator flickers, the emergency mode immediately turns on, which affects the engine power and its speed. If the indicator lights up for a few seconds when the engine is started, then there is nothing to worry about - the control unit diagnoses all systems.

Indicator operationcheck engine	Cause	Debugg
While driving, while accelerating	Engine malfunctions - boiling coolant, low engine oil level, defects in the electronic control unit	Full stop of the car or decrease in engine speed. Check engine oil level and top up if necessary. Repair or replacement of the electronic control unit
The indicator flashes, the engine troit, the speed floats, the car twitches	Misfires, coil and spark plug problems	Check the condition of the spark plugs and coils, if necessary, replace the parts with new ones
After refueling the car	Poor quality fuel	Draining or complete processing of low-quality fuel, replacement if necessary fuel filters and filling only high-quality fuel
When the ignition is turned on	Normal system operation	The indicator lights up when the ignition is started for a few seconds and indicates that the system has checked the electronic control unit
After washing the car, engine, moisture	Water ingress on contact groups, lambda probe malfunction	After washing the car and engine, thoroughly dry the engine compartment
On a cold engine or when it is warm	Malfunctions of the knock sensor and the mass air flow sensor, as an option - the accumulation of condensate in the fuel tank	Diagnostics in the service, elimination of problems with sensors, filling in high-quality fuel
High/idle	Problems with the crankshaft sensor	Changing the distance from the sensor to the disk by installing a washer
After changing spark plugs	Incorrect installation of candles, incorrectly installed candles	Spark plugs are changed, if they are filled with gasoline, they are cleaned and ignited
After changing the air filter	The contacts have gone or the lambda is faulty	Check and fit the contacts more tightly, check and replace the lambda sensor
After replacing the timing belt	Timing belt installed incorrectly and camshafts set	Belt replacement, correct installation
After installing HBO	Incorrect hardware and computer settings	Perform system diagnostics and configuration. Fuel saturation correction
After setting the alarm	Incorrect alarm setting	Ringing the electrical circuit, troubleshooting. Resetting errors after calibrating the alarm system
After replacement fuel filter	Absolute pressure sensor tube loose	Check the DBP sensor and tighten it if necessary
Increase in fuel consumption after the indicator is triggered	Problems with the knock sensor	Checking the wires going to the sensor or replacing it
Engine does not start	Malfunctions of camshaft and crankshaft sensors, problems with spark plugs, nozzles and fuel	The serviceability of sensors, spark plugs is checked, if necessary, parts are changed
When going uphill	Problems with oxygen sensor and filter in high pressure fuel pump	The oxygen sensor is changing, the injection pump filter, as an option - the throttle sensor is checked
After replacing the ignition coil	Poor quality coil, oxygen sensor problems, no spark	The ignition coil is checked, reconnected or replaced with a new one
At negative temperature	Operation of the fluid temperature sensor in the automatic transmission	Eliminated by resetting the error, since the climatic conditions of our country do not match the tolerances of the sensor
When you press the gas pedal	Problems with the generator or an open and short circuit in the canister valve circuit	Alternator replacement, valve circuit check
Speedometer not working	Problems with the speed sensor or the mechanism for transmitting pulses to the sensor	The speed sensor connectors are checked, all electrical circuits are called
Due to engine oil	Oil level too low	When the indicator is activated, the oil level is checked, if necessary, topped up to the desired level.
Because of the fuel	low quality fuel	Regular refueling of high-quality fuel

How to reset Check Engine error

The operation of the Check Engine indicator is always associated with malfunctions and problems. You can determine the breakdown by the error code issued using a special tester. However, sometimes the indicator stays on even after the problem is corrected. In such situations, car owners try to reset the error using computer diagnostics. A similar procedure is carried out in the service center on a paid basis. You can reset the Check Engine sensor error on your own.

The error is thrown like this:

1. The ignition is turned on without starting the engine.
2. The hood opens and the positive terminal is removed from the battery.
3. Wait 10-60 seconds and the terminal returns to its place.
4. The hood closes.
5. The ignition is turned on and the car starts.

This procedure is sufficient to reset the error. It is advisable to resort to this method in cases of erroneous operation of the Check Engine indicator - for example, when impurities enter the fuel. If there is still a malfunction, then the indicator will work a few kilometers after the error is reset.

Reset Check Engine error video:

Malfunctions of the Check Engine self-diagnosis system

Car owners often encounter malfunctions of the self-diagnosis system. This is accompanied, as a rule, by uneven burning of the Check Engine indicator, half-heartedly. The main reason for this is a diode failure or a ground problem. Experts are often of the opinion that the problem is in the dashboard, and this is due to the features of the car.

The operation of the Check Engine indicator is not a cause for panic and does not always indicate the need for serious repairs. First of all, it is worth determining the reason for the light bulb to turn on and try to fix the problem yourself. If you can’t fix it on your own, you should contact the specialists in service center- they will conduct complete diagnostics systems and troubleshoot.

About three decades ago, cars began to be serially equipped with computer control systems that allow you to quickly find any malfunction. For car service specialists, they provided special connectors with which it was possible to display the necessary information on the tester screen, and the driver could see a malfunction signal thanks to the Check Engine lamp located on the front panel. A similar warning scheme is used today - it is equipped with any machines with injection motors controlled by microprocessors. Therefore, every driver should know what to do if the Check Engine warning light comes on while using the vehicle.

The Check Engine light may indicate a serious problem.

Quick Diagnosis

Finding out what the Check Engine signal means is quite simple - you need to contact a service station equipped with a special electronic scanner. However, such a service center may be far enough away or be inaccessible to the motorist for other reasons. Therefore, check, Check Engine, first stands on its own.

If the corresponding signal lights up on the dashboard, you should first check the elementary things - how tightly the gas tank and oil filler caps are tightened. Some machines are equipped with sensors that allow you to keep the process fluids clean - when they are triggered, the driver sees the Check Engine signal. You also need to pay attention to the wires located under the hood - if you see a free-hanging cable or an open terminal, the reason why the Check Engine lights up has been found. The same goes for hoses. fuel system, intake manifold, air supply systems.

However, what if visually the car is in perfect order? The first step is to unscrew the candles, which are the Check Engine - they can transmit electrical impulses as a result of carbon deposits on the electrodes and the appearance of a thick coating of various metals contained in the fuel. In addition, the reason incorrect work the motor may have gaps exceeding 1.3 millimeters. Another common cause of the Check Engine signal may be the deposition of sediment on the surface of the injectors. Additional signs of both mentioned breakdowns:

• Decreased traction;
• Increased fuel costs;
• Twitching that sometimes occurs with increasing speed;
• floating turns.

If the Check Engine light is on, the problem may be the worn insulation of the high voltage wires. Visually floating breakdowns and microcracks are almost impossible to find, so you should use a special tester to search for them. If such a tool is not available, you can try the "grandfather" method. A saturated saline solution is prepared in a stainless or aluminum pan, into which a piece of wire (not a tip!) is immersed. You will need a megger, one clip of which is attached to the tip high voltage wire, and the second is fixed on the pan - after applying current, a satisfactory resistance should be 500 kOhm, and ideal 1 MΩ.

Serious damage

If the Check Engine light is on, the problem can be quite serious. More often than others, they arise due to the quality of the fuel offered in Russia. Diagnosis is easy to carry out - with the engine running, you need to bring your ear to the device and listen to its sound. Normal is a smooth buzz without clicks and stops. In case of failures, the result of which is the Check Engine signal, you need to remove the fuel pump, flush it from the inside, clean the mesh and eliminate solid inclusions. If the problem cannot be solved in this way, the unit must be given to a specialist for professional repair or replace.

The ignition coil may be to blame for the appearance of the Check Engine signal, unevenly distributing electrical impulses between the candles of the corresponding cylinders. If a malfunction of this device is found, it must be replaced, remembering to check the characteristics of the new part before installation. If the car is equipped with individual coils, the diagnosis will be complicated, but with the help of a tester it will be possible to find a faulty element of the ignition system.

Often, the Check Engine light comes on when the control devices, represented by the lambda probe and the air flow sensor, break down. It is unprofitable to repair such devices, since the service life of remanufactured sensors is very short. It is better to immediately replace them, thereby extinguishing the Check Engine lamp. A very serious problem can be associated with a breakdown of the catalytic converter. Its replacement is expensive, but there are no other alternatives, since many cars with faulty system exhaust automatically go into emergency mode, which implies a significant power limitation.

Check Engine can be called by an electronic control unit responsible for executing programs that control fuel injection, air supply and other processes. The control unit fails extremely rarely, but its failure promises huge costs. The only way to reduce them is to find a qualified electrician who can study the device circuit in detail and spend hours searching for a failed miniature element. Such an operation will cost much less than a replacement, but there is no guarantee that the Check Engine lamp will not light up again soon.

Additional signals

If the Check Engine signal appeared while driving, it is very likely that this is due to a critical engine malfunction. Therefore, you should stop, but do not turn off the engine, and look carefully at dashboard where the rest of the control lamps are located. First of all, you will be interested in the temperature indicator, the operation of which most often leads to the appearance of the Check Engine signal. In a normal state, the temperature of the coolant in the engine should not exceed 85–95 degrees, since its boiling can lead to unpredictable consequences. On the modern machines when a critical level of heating is reached, a special lamp with a pictogram in the form of a thermometer lights up - when such an alarm occurs, you should go to high speed from low speed engine to create natural cooling of the power unit.

Some cars are also equipped with an oil pressure gauge with an individual dial - the Check Engine lamp often lights up when its arrow is in the red zone. In the absence of a dial, you should pay attention to the light bulb with the oiler icon, which lights up when the level of lubrication in the engine is excessively low. In such a case, turn off the engine, wait approximately 5-10 minutes and check the oil level using a special dipstick. If the Check Engine lamp lights up due to a lack of oil, you should add it or go to the nearest specialized store. Otherwise, the problem is a faulty oil pump, which may require serious repairs - it is not possible to solve such a problem on your own, and you need to move to the nearest service station.

There are also situations when the Check Engine lamp flashes - this can also apply to the signaling device automatic transmission if one is installed on the vehicle. In most cases, this means that the fault lies in the electronic control unit. When the Check Engine signal is flashing, the machine often goes into emergency mode, independently limiting the speed and maximum engine speed. It is worth remembering one more signal given by the machine - if the Check Engine lamp lights up when the key is turned and goes out a few seconds later, this means that the control unit is conducting diagnostics, and there is no real danger threatening the motor.

Your actions

To fix the problem, you need to go to a specialized service station equipped with appropriate electronic equipment. After a brief diagnosis, the specialist will state the nature of the breakdown indicated by the Check Engine signal and determine the cost of the repair. In some cases, the diagnosis does not reveal any abnormalities, and after it is completed, the Check Engine lamp goes out on its own. Experts say that the fault of the false alarm is the accumulated errors caused by low-quality gasoline, impurities in the air, moisture on electrical components.

You can get rid of errors yourself, without using a diagnostic scanner. Experienced motorists who know how to remove the error are advised to unscrew the battery terminals for this and put them aside, preventing a short circuit. With the engine off, the car should be disconnected from the battery for approximately 10-20 minutes. If everything is done correctly, when connecting the terminals, you will see the clock reset to zero and the Check Engine light turned off. However, this can only solve the problem with accumulated errors - in case of more serious breakdowns, the Check Engine light will light up again within the first day of using the car.

When going to the service station, be sure to follow a car-friendly driving mode, since you cannot be sure why the Check Engine signal appeared. For this you need:

• Reduce speed to 60 km/h;
• Try not to exceed the speed level of 2500 rpm;
• Turn off the air conditioner and any additional equipment;
• Switch off multimedia system and all currently unnecessary electrical appliances;
• Avoid abrupt starts and braking, high-speed cornering.

It is best to avoid driving at night, as the headlights put extra stress on the engine, but if there are no alternatives, take the appropriate precautions. Only when experts determine why the Check Engine light came on can you move on to a normal driving style.

No panic

If a Check Engine signal is detected, you should not panic, as the car may not require serious repairs. At first, it is worth trying to fix minor problems associated with improper installation of tank caps, wires and tubes on your own. If the Check Engine lamp continues to burn, the malfunction should be looked for deeper - in candles, a gasoline pump and high-voltage wires. In the absence of breakdowns in these components, it is worth considering the most important components car - the electronic unit controls, ignition coils, catalytic converter. If you cannot find the problem yourself, and the Check Engine lamp continues to burn, you should contact a specialist who will computer diagnostics car.

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Today, modern cars have in their arsenal many additional sensors that are placed on the instrument panel and help the motorist to monitor the health of their vehicle.

In this article, we'll look at:

• what sensors are responsible for the quality of the engine;
• what do they signal?
• How to fix it.

An indicator of stable and proper operation of the engine is the check engine malfunction light.

If the engine is running normally, then the light comes on when it starts and immediately goes out. A burning check engine when the car is moving is already the first sign - an engine malfunction. In this case, you should not panic and immediately go to the service station, since most of the cases associated with a faulty engine sensor can be fixed on your own.

Engine malfunction indicator: the main causes of fire. Methods of their treatment

There are quite a few reasons why the engine diagnostic lamp lights up, since the signal comes from the on-board computer, which simultaneously analyzes many vehicle operating systems: ignition, automatic transmission, engine, carburetor, etc. Some malfunctions can be diagnosed independently, but first, let's figure it out in their reasons:

1. If the engine light comes on, it is necessary to start by checking the tightness of the fuel system, for example, the gas tank cap is loose or defective. This engine warning light is often turned on for this very reason.

1. If the check engine light comes on while the vehicle is moving, this may indicate a low oil level in the engine. To diagnose this malfunction, it is recommended to stop and listen to the operation of the engine in order to identify the presence extraneous knocks and noise. And also conduct a visual inspection of it - check the oil level, inspect for leaks and damage to the body.
2. In the conditions of our country, the quality of products fuels and lubricants wants to be the best, as a result of which the engine malfunction icon may also light up. To be treated by a banal replacement of bad fuel.
3. If the check engine light is still on during stable and smooth operation of the engine, this may be a sign of a misfire in one of the candles. If you find a “penetrating” spark plug or armored wire, then they must be urgently replaced, since they are the main igniters of the fuel system. With a faulty spark plug, small jolts may be felt during acceleration, which is caused by incorrect spark supply. The recommended interval for replacing spark plugs is 25 - 30 thousand km. Please note that timely replacement candles not only improves engine performance, but also reduces fuel consumption. By the way, the gap between the spark plug electrode should not exceed 1.3 mm.

1. Faulty ignition coil. It is necessary to check the presence of a spark and resistance at the coil terminals.
2. Malfunction of the oxygen sensor (lambda probe). This sensor helps control your car's fuel consumption, so a malfunction can have a significant effect on increasing it and reducing engine power. The cause of the failure is oil soot, which covers the sensor with a thin layer, which reduces the performance of the gasoline mixture adjustment sensor. Besides, untimely replacement sensor can damage the catalytic converter. Treated by replacing the sensor.

1. Exhaust catalyst failure. The catalyst not only provides a more environmentally friendly exhaust gas, but is also responsible for the dynamics of the car. main reasons Catalyst breakdowns are the untimely replacement of the oxygen sensor and spark plugs, since it is on them that the conversion of carbon monoxide in the catalyst into harmless chemical elements depends. Otherwise, the catalyst overheats and may burst. Treat with a replacement.

1. Injectors malfunction. As a rule, they require cleaning, but sometimes even replacement.
2. Malfunction of the mass air flow sensor.

This sensor is responsible for the poverty of the supplied mixture. A malfunction of this sensor may result in increased consumption fuel, a decrease in engine power and a violation of the smoothness and dynamics of the car. In addition, the car may not start well, not run smoothly at idle.

The main reason for sensor failure is untimely or incorrect installation of the air filter.

Please note that with a broken mass air flow sensor, you can drive for a long time, but this will negatively affect, first of all, fuel consumption. Treat with a replacement.

1. Faulty fuel pump or fuel filter. It is necessary to measure the pressure in the rail (its value should not be less than three atm.). To be treated by cleaning the filter and mesh in the gas tank. More drastic measures are the replacement of the fuel filter or fuel pump.

If the above methods of "treatment" did not help and the check still lit up on the instrument panel, then you must immediately contact the car mechanic, otherwise it may be fraught with serious repairs.

There are cars that are designed for ordinary city driving, such vehicles almost do not stand out from the general flow. And there are brutal SUVs that were created for harsh military conditions. Such transport can be seen mainly only in the service. But still, there are military vehicles that can safely drive in normal mode.

GAZ-69. This brutal military SUV has a real four-wheel drive. It is very reliable as its device is very simple. In the cabin, everything is very clear: nothing superfluous, all control levers are switched with difficulty, you need to get used to it. For winter operation this car is unlikely to fit as it has a soft top instead of a regular roof. But in the summer it is a pleasure to drive a GAZ-69!

UAZ Hunter. This Ulyanovsk SUV has been produced for more than 15 years. Well, it is used mainly for law enforcement purposes. Only a fraction of buyers purchase it for normal use. But in principle, an SUV fits perfectly for these purposes. It has a 2.7-liter gasoline engine with 128 hp, a spacious interior and a large margin of safety.

Mercedes- Benz G- class. This legendary german SUV now it can hardly be called a military one, since now it has become more luxurious and pretentious, and the dynamics have reached a new level. But once upon a time, the car was completely different. For example, instead of a 4 liter turbo engine, he had a Gas engine volume of 2.3 liters. And even now you can find such a simple G-class with modest equipment and no body kit.