We need to be less upbeat and encouraging at this point. Always be wary of a check engine light that flashes. It denotes a damaged component that requires quick repair in order for your car to continue moving and operating. You should never keep driving a car with a blinking check engine light since vehicles are intricate devices with over 2,000 pieces that must work in unison.
When it is safe to do so, stop, summon a tow truck, and have your car delivered to the closest Kia-authorized repair facility. You run the risk of having your engine fail completely if you ignore this warning.
The on-board diagnostics and repair technologies are fortunately getting stronger and better each year for all Kia drivers. For instance, the 2019 Kia Sorento has a lot of significant features that make driving safer than before.
Normally, a solid check engine light is not a cause for concern. When the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in your Kia detects something unusual with its normal function, the indication is set off. It uses a diagnostic code to note any issues it finds.
Frequently, the root cause of a stable check engine light indicator is actually quite affordable to fix.
It will still be safe to drive the vehicle to a service center to have this analyzed and estimated even if it could point to more expensive issues like a mass airflow sensor.
The typical LED light that powers the check engine light on your instrument console consumes that much power. Unfortunately, it has much more power than thatpower to utterly steal your mental tranquility.
It is true that your check engine light has the power to instantly bring on tension and destroy your day. One light’s ability to signal a variety of issues, from “No big deal, I’ll get it fixed before the next presidential election!” to “Call a tow truck right away! is frightening.
The fact that most automotive repairs to the drive train or power train are not recognized for being cheaply priced adds to this worry by giving the check engine light the impression that your money is being drained into a dark dimension.
Oxygen Sensor Must Be Replaced
The amount of unburned oxygen in your car’s exhaust system is measured by your oxygen sensor. Your engine will consume more fuel than necessary if it isn’t changed, you’ll lose fuel efficiency, and defective sensors could harm your spark plugs and catalytic converter.
Gas Cap Missing, Damaged, or Loose:
Your gas cap serves to maintain pressure inside the fuel tank by sealing the fuel system. Additionally, it stops gasoline fumes from being emitted into the air while your car is not being driven. If you don’t replace it, fuel could evaporate and be lost.
A new catalytic converter is required:
By converting toxic carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, your catalytic converter contributes to environmental protection. If you don’t replace it, your car won’t pass an emissions test, will operate less efficiently and with less power, and it can get hotter while driving.
A new mass airflow sensor is required:
To calculate the amount of gasoline required to run your engine effectively, your mass airflow sensor monitors the volume of air entering the engine. Faulty sensors can harm spark plugs, O2 sensors, or the catalytic converter, which can lower performance and fuel efficiency if you don’t replace them.
Replace Spark Plugs or Plug Wires:
The fuel/air mixture in your car’s combustion chamber is started by spark plugs. The ignition coil’s spark delivers itself to the spark plugs through the spark plug wires. It will operate poorly and consume less fuel if you don’t replace it, and worn plugs can harm ignition coils and O2 sensors or block the catalytic converter.
As you can see, ignoring the check engine light can result in serious issues for your car and eventually higher repair costs. Come to any of our Moritz Kia locations to have your vehicle serviced with us if it needs maintenance or if the check engine light is on. To make an appointment at one of our three Moritz Kia stores throughout Fort Worth, use our online tool.
Every time you notice the yellow-orange glow of your engine light, a brief moment of panic ensues. But before you start to worry, think about what the check engine light really means. Perhaps it won’t be as horrible as you think! The failure of something more significant could be indicated by something as simple as a loose gas cap.
On-Board Vehicle Diagnostics (OBDII) readers aren’t something that everyone has in their glove box. If not, you can easily visit the service center at Horne Kia and have us reset your engine light while you wait.
Phoenix, Chandler, Tempe, and any other locations in the Greater Phoenix Area are only a short drive from our Horne Kia shop.
Ok. It’s time to respond to the crucial inquiry: Why did your check engine light turn on? The check engine light essentially indicates that a problem has been identified by the onboard computer system of your car. This issue can range from a minor setback, such as a misplaced gas cap or a change in humidity, to the breakdown of a significant component, such as a defective catalytic converter. On sometimes, the Check Engine light illuminates even when the car is in perfect working order.
It might be a momentary issue brought on by a defective gas tank, among other things. In these circumstances, the light ought to turn off on its own after a brief while. Even those who are mechanically inclined may find it challenging to interpret the Check Engine light on their own because there is no real method to pinpoint the source of the signal without doing a diagnostic scan on the vehicle.
There are a lot of different things that might cause the check engine light to turn on, but if it does, you should check to see if the gas cap is loose since a loose cap alerts the car’s computer that there is a leak in the vapor recovery system. Tighten the gas cap if necessary and keep driving. The light won’t turn on right away, even after you’ve tightened it.
One of five thingsthe mass airflow sensor, the catalytic converter, the O2 sensor, or the spark plug wiresmost frequently sets off the check engine light. Most of these issues can be fixed rather cheaply.
While a malfunctioning oxygen sensor may occasionally be the only thing to blame for the light, if it starts flashing, a more significant issue may be present. In that case, please schedule a service visit so that we can help you find the right solution.
Many motorists mistakenly believe that the maintenance required light (MAINT REQD) and the check engine light are the same thing. The maintenance required light simply serves as a reminder that the vehicle needs an oil change or other standard maintenance. Depending on the manufacturer, your check engine light will either have the words “CHECK ENGINE” or will be shaped like an engine. It will also either be orange, yellow, or red.
Just keep in mind that these codes are manufacturer-specific. For descriptions of any other Kia diagnostic issue codes, see our Generic OBD II code list.
In This Article...
What causes the check engine light to appear most frequently?
One of the most frequent causes of the check engine light coming on is a loose fuel cap. The cap plays a critical role in the gasoline delivery system of a car. Notably, it stops gasoline fumes from escaping the fuel tank and aids in maintaining the proper pressure throughout the entire system.
Pull aside and check to see if the cap isn’t loose or still on the roof of your car if your check engine light comes on right after you fill up. Sometimes the cap needs to be replaced, although it won’t have a significant financial impact. The majority of auto parts companies sell universal-fit gas caps for around $15.
How can you turn a Kia’s check engine light back on?
How Can the Check Engine Light Be Reset?
- Deactivate your ignition.
- Put on your gloves and safety glasses.
- The negative terminal should be found.
- Pull the connector from the battery while holding it to the side for 30 to 60 seconds after using a wrench to loosen the nut on the negative terminal.
- With your wrench, reattach the cable and tighten it.
Is it legal to drive with the check engine light on?
Have you heard any odd sounds? Has your car’s performance changed in the last few days? Have you ever detected odd smells? Have you had any other difficulties when driving? Rarely does your car have an immediate impact without leaving a visible trace.
As long as your car isn’t acting abnormally, you can continue driving if the check engine light comes on and stays on without flashing. Your car will let you know when something needs to be fixed by keeping the light steady. (We’ll discuss that in more detail in a moment.)
If the check engine light is flashing, the situation is more urgent. The check engine light is often a yellow or, on rare occasions, a red engine-shaped indicator on your dashboard. When you initially turn on the car, all lights might blink. When it blinks and keeps flashing after your car turns on, this is a more significant situation.
What issues trigger the check engine light?
The spark plugs in your car are what light the gasoline in the combustion chamber. Through the spark plug wires, they receive their spark from the ignition coil. Your check engine light could turn on if there’s an issue with your spark plug wires or the spark plugs themselves.
Ignoring this issue could result in your oxygen sensor malfunctioning, an obstructed catalytic converter, or broken ignition coils. Maintaining the performance and fuel efficiency of your car also depends on having healthy spark plugs.
When should I start to worry if my check engine light is on?
Each of us has been there. As you’re driving along, going about your business, the Check Engine light suddenly illuminates. You start to worry right away: “How much will this repair cost me?” Will my car have a serious issue with this, or can it be fixed easily? Can I continue operating my car?
The diagnostic system in your car uses the check engine light to alert you when something is wrong. This light often signifies a problem with the engine, drivetrain, or emission control systems of the vehicle.
Usually, a Check Engine light is not an urgent, warning indicator like an Oil Pressure or Temperature light “type of circumstance, unless it is flashing, “Stop immediately now or you might do permanent harm!” The check engine light flashing indicates a more serious issue. If you are towing a trailer or boat, for example, you should immediately slow down and minimize the weight on your engine. You should also make an appointment for service at a reputable auto repair shop in your area.
If you don’t have a diagnostic code reader, the check engine light will let you know that your car requires work, but that’s really all the information you can get at first. The majority of things that have an impact on the monitored systems have the potential to turn on the Check Engine light, from a simple loose gas cap or faulty spark plug to an expensive computer control module or catalytic converter.
First, check your gas cap. Many cars include an indicator for a loose gas cap that will go off before your check engine light does. The check engine light may come on as a result of fuel system vapor leaks if your gas cap is unfastened or the seal is not tight. If the gas cap on your car was loose, you might need to drive and stay overnight “The light must be parked before it will automatically reset. For more information, see the owner’s manual or a qualified mechanic.
You can see that your car appears to be in perfect working order except from the check engine light. Do not wait. Driving with the check engine light on may result in catastrophic damage and more expensive repairs. Additionally, your car’s performance and fuel efficiency will probably suffer. As soon as you can, take your car to a reputable service facility.
Can the engine light turn on without cause?
Why is the check engine light on in my car? The check engine light might illuminate for a variety of causes. For instance, a simple issue like a loose gas cap can cause the warning to appear. Additionally, serious issues like damaged internal engine components can turn on the light.
Does the check engine light self-reset?
In the majority of car models, the check engine light will go out after you fix the issue. However, it can take a while. Usually, a car needs 1020 successful resettings before the check engine light goes out on its own.
A cycle is when you start your car from a cold start, drive it until it warms up, and then stop.
After 1020 successful cycles, which, as you can imagine, can take a while, the check engine light will reset itself if you are certain that you have resolved the issue that was the cause of the check engine light. As a result, using an OBD2 scanner to reset the check engine light is much simpler.
Can I manually reset the check engine light?
You might have requested for assistance with a computer problem if you’ve ever worked in an office setting with an IT department.
Probably the first thing your IT wizard asked was, “Have you tried resetting your computer?”
The analogous repair for a car’s check engine light is the on-off technique. It compels the computer to reboot and restore its previously saved state.
Simply switch the ignition on for 1-2 seconds, then off for 1-2 seconds, using your key. Three or four times through, repeat this step.
If the check engine light is still on after the reset, your car might still be having issues. Think about using the OBD2 scanner to check for the error code or taking your car to a qualified repair.
How much time must pass before the engine light is reset?
Most likely, the problem with your check engine light has been resolved, but it’s still on. And you’re growing annoyed by it. Maybe you spent a fortune on it.
You probably don’t know this, but you need to drive for 50 to 100 miles after clearing the car’s computer.
The computer in your car will keep track of all the sensors’ readings while you drive and record them.
Details are as follows:
After resetting the codes, your automobile hasn’t been driven for enough time. Solution: Continue driving until the system flashes READY.
But wait, there are still some very crucial items to consider. So let’s look more closely.