If this warning light comes on, you could be facing a hefty bill at the garage. But before you get out your credit card, check that it’s not a false alarm by following our checklist.
This is one of the most dreaded warning lights. And for good reason, because there is a chance that this engine failure warning light on signals the start of a hefty bill at the garage. However, this is often a false alarm. If the engine failure warning light comes on, it means that there is a problem with your engine or with the electronics that manage fuel injection. There could also be a malfunction of your catalytic converter. This seems expensive and it often is. It is therefore recommended to consult your garage quickly, as mentioned in your car’s manual.
However, before you open your wallet, it is worth checking a few things yourself to make sure that it is not a false alarm. The warning light comes on, for example, on almost all cars from the last 20 years if the fuel cap is not screwed on properly. So first check whether the fuel cap is screwed on properly when the warning light comes on. Especially if this happens right after refueling. The cap could also be screwed on incorrectly or broken.
A faulty power supply can also be the cause of the illuminated warning light. So make sure that the battery terminals are securely attached. Another possible cause is that the engine is drawing air from a different location than intended. This can happen, for example, if “stale air” is being drawn in through the air filter housing. So check whether the air filter housing fasteners are loose.
Finally, improperly positioned or displaced floor mats on the driver’s side can also be the cause of this light coming on. A poorly placed mat can, for example, cause the accelerator pedal to remain slightly depressed due to friction. If this is detected by your engine management system, the dreaded light may also come on.
In most cases, the light will turn off by itself or stay off when you restart the car. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and you may need to visit a garage to reset the engine fault light. If the light is flashing or glowing red, contact your local helpline or garage immediately – especially if your engine is running rough or losing power. This is often a sign that there is a real problem.