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Can a dirty air filter cause a service engine soon light?

Can a dirty air filter cause a service engine soon light?

A dirty air filter is one of the things that can cause your Check Engine light to come on, caused by an inadequate supply of air to the engine that results in a buildup of carbon deposits. Have your mechanic scan your vehicle to track down the source of the problem, as it could be as simple as replacing the air filter.

Where can I get a service engine soon scanner?

Or, you can at least do some of the investigative work yourself by getting a code-scanning device. A code scanner or OBD II (On Board Diagnostics II) scanner ranges from $10 on eBay to $200+ for a really good one at your local auto parts store. The savings can be tremendous after a couple of “service engine soon” light incidents.

What does the service engine soon light mean?

The purpose of the “service engine soon” light is to warn the operator that sensors in the vehicle have detected a malfunction. When we first see this little light on our dash we get a little worried at the potential cost of the repair.

What to do if your air flow sensor is dirty?

If a sensor is dirty, your mechanic may suggest cleaning it (cleaning the airflow sensor is a delicate procedure) as a temporary solution; sometimes it could help. When replacing the mass air flow sensor, make sure the air filter is installed properly.

What happens when a mass air flow sensor goes bad?

This causes the engine computer to miscalculate the amount of injected fuel. As a result, a bad mass air flow sensor causes various driveability problems, including a no-start, stalling, lack of power and poor acceleration. In addition, a faulty mass air flow sensor might cause the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light to come on.

The purpose of the “service engine soon” light is to warn the operator that sensors in the vehicle have detected a malfunction. When we first see this little light on our dash we get a little worried at the potential cost of the repair.

Or, you can at least do some of the investigative work yourself by getting a code-scanning device. A code scanner or OBD II (On Board Diagnostics II) scanner ranges from $10 on eBay to $200+ for a really good one at your local auto parts store. The savings can be tremendous after a couple of “service engine soon” light incidents.

Can a restricted air filter cause engine problems?

It keeps the undesirables (dirt and debris) out while letting power-producing air in. A restricted air filter can cause many problems, including an illuminated check engine light. Engine airflow performance. Besides keeping contaminants out, an air filter must allow unrestricted airflow into the engine.

Why is it important to change your air filter?

Besides keeping contaminants out, an air filter must allow unrestricted airflow into the engine. This is why air filter replacement is so important. An air filter that isn’t changed on a regular basis will become contaminated with dirt and debris.

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Ruth Doyle