Ford dashboard warning lights are designed to alert you to any issues or malfunctions with a variety of vehicle parts and systems. For instance, when your Ford check engine light comes on, it can mean a few different things.
Is your gas cap loose or broken?
The first thing you should check when your check engine light comes on is your gas cap. If the seal is broken due to a loose or damaged gas cap, the vapor could be leaking into the fuel-tank system, which causes the check engine light to turn on.
Does your engine need oil?
If your gas cap is working properly, the next thing you should check is your engine oil level. A low oil level may cause your check engine light to turn on because driving with a low oil level can cause engine damage. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to find out how to check the engine oil.
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Is it something more serious?
If the gas cap and engine oil level are fine, the check engine light could mean a more serious problem, such as:
- Damaged spark plugs, wires, or coils
- Issues with the thermostat
- Malfunctioning catalytic converter
- Faulty mass airflow sensor
- Malfunctioning oxygen sensor
- Faulty exhaust gas recirculation valve
You should have your vehicle’s computer scanned as soon as possible. A Ford service professional can read the code causing your check engine light to turn on and pinpoint the problem. It’s always best to do this quickly to avoid erasing the code, which makes it much more difficult to figure out the issue.
Is your check engine light blinking?
If your check engine light is flashing rather than staying on, the engine has either misfired or some of its cylinders aren’t working correctly. This can be very dangerous and may even cause damage to the catalytic converter, which is very expensive to fix. In this case, have your vehicle serviced immediately.
Do you have additional questions or concerns about your Ford check engine light? If so, feel free to get in touch with our service professionals at Sherwood Ford. We look forward to assisting you and helping you get your vehicle back to its proper working condition.
