Seeing your engine management light flash up on your car is likely to be a dreaded moment – but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world.
There are a number of potential reasons for this symbol to illuminate on your car, and we have put together the top three things you need to check to get your car back on the road.
What Is The Engine Management Light?
Seeing an engine light on your car tells you there is something wrong with your car’s computer system. It will tell you if there is a problem with the ignition switch or the fuel pump, among other things. This can happen in two ways: either because the computer has been damaged by water or some sort of electrical surge, or because the computer itself has failed.
Why Is My Engine Management Light On?
When the engine management light comes on, it means that the computer needs to be reset, and the issue fixed quickly. If you don’t know how to do this, then you should take your vehicle into a professional garage as soon as possible. They will be able to help you out.
What Three Things Should I Check When The Engine Management Light Turns On?
So, before you ask, “why is my engine light on?”, here are three common causes to eliminate and consider.
- Water Damage
If the engine management light comes flashing up on your dashboard, then you need to check whether or not there is any water damage. You may find that there is a leak somewhere inside the car, which could mean the radiator has burst. If so, you should stop driving immediately and call a mechanic to come and look at the problem.
- Electrical Surge
Another reason why the engine management light might turn on is due to an electrical surge. An electrical surge occurs when there is too much current flowing through the wiring, causing sparks to jump across from one wire to another. These sparks cause short circuits within the wires, which can lead to the engine management light coming on.
- Computer Failure
A third reason why the engine management light might come on is that the computer itself has stopped working properly. In this case, the computer is no longer telling the rest of the car what to do, so it won’t start. If this happens, you will need to take your car to a professional garage as soon as you can.
How Can I Fix My Engine Management Light?
There are several possible ways to fix the engine management light. One way is to replace the faulty part yourself. For example, if the computer is broken, you can buy a new one online. However, if the computer is just displaying a warning message, you can simply remove the battery and wait until the next day before replacing it.
You also need to make sure the battery is fully charged before attempting to restart the car. If you try to start the car without having charged the battery, then you risk damaging the starter motor.
You can also use a jumper cable to connect the positive terminal of the battery to the negative terminal of the battery. Once you have done this, you can then reconnect the battery to the car again.
However, if you still cannot get the engine management light to go off after doing all of these steps, then you should take the car to a professional garage.
Final Thoughts
The engine management light may seem scary – but it is important to ensure you have all of the facts to hand before you start to panic!
For experienced, qualified advice, why not head for a car service near Thurrock here at Advanced Service Centre, and allow our professionals to take a closer look to put your mind at ease?
