The check engine light comes on when sensors detect something that affects engine performance. As time passes, parts wear due to age or damage, leading to engine problems and potentially serious damage. As your Ford dealer in Silver Spring, MD, we’d like you to know some reasons you need to visit us for Ford maintenance.
Ford Maintenance: Possible Reasons the Check Engine Light Comes On
Blocked Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter is a vital part of the exhaust system. Combustion produces numerous dangerous, toxic gases, and the converter changes these gases into harmless ones before they exit the tailpipe. The conversion process uses immense pressure, chemical reactions, and intense heat, producing carbon as a byproduct.
Carbon can build up inside the converter and block the exit to the exhaust system. A blockage forces the gases back into the engine. Their arrival increases pressure inside the engine, which can cause it to shut down without warning. A blocked converter can also cause your engine to fail within seconds of starting. We’ll clear the blockage to fix this issue.
Worn Spark Plugs
A spark plug screws into each engine cylinder and provides the ignition source for the cylinder contents. Air and fuel mix in a precise ratio in the intake manifold and are drawn into the cylinders. The cylinders close, and the pistons move upward at high speed to compress the fuel-air mixture. Once the mixture is sufficiently compressed, a spark plug ignites it to produce compression.
Spark plugs wear out over time and can be damaged by issues like worn ignition coils or a fuel-rich engine. A damaged spark plug won’t ignite its cylinder contents successfully, causing a misfire. Engine sensors will detect the misfire and its cause and inform your computer, causing the engine light to come on. We’ll test the plugs and replace any damaged ones to fix this problem.
Damaged Mass Airflow Sensor (MAS)
The MAS monitors airflow into the engine and sends this information to the computer. The computer then determines how much fuel must be added to the mixture for successful combustion. A MAS can be damaged by an oil leak, water, or dirt, and it can also wear out over time. A worn or damaged MAS prevents the computer from accurately calculating how much air is in the engine.
Without information from the MAS, your computer has to guess. If too much air is added, the fuel-air mixture will be lean, causing rough idling, reduced acceleration, and decreased engine power. If insufficient air is added, the mixture becomes fuel-rich, causing misfiring, damage to the spark plugs, and increased fuel usage. All these issues will trigger the engine light. We’ll repair or replace the MAS, and your engine will work normally.
Contact our service department today at Koons Ford Silver Spring in Silver Spring, MD.
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