Malfunction Indicator Light

Check to make sure the fuel filler cap is installed and closed tightly and that the vehicle has at least 3 gallons 11 4 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.

Malfunction indicator light. The malfunction indicator light mil is also known as the check engine light. Commonly wired to an electric sensor on the vehicle s engine or chassis the malfunction indicator lamp is triggered when the contacts inside of the sensor are forced together to create a closed circuit. The malfunction indicator lamp should come on when you crank the car and should go out within a few seconds after conducting a self test. Found on the instrument panel of most automobiles it usually bears the legend engine check engine service engine soon maintenance required emmiss maint or a pictogram of an engine and when illuminated it is typically an amber or red color.

If the light comes on and stays steady it means there s a problem with the emissions system. The purpose of this warning light is to indicate a detected problem with the car and alert the driver about the issue. A check engine light or malfunction indicator lamp mil is a tell tale that a computerized engine management system uses to indicate a malfunction. If it stays on or comes on while driving it means there s a code in the computer that needs to be checked.

A malfunction indicator lamp serves notice that the vehicle should be checked and diagnosed by a mechanic. The malfunction indicator light may also come on steady if the fuel filler cap is loose or missing or if the vehicle runs out of fuel. The obd2 system illuminates the light when there is a problem with the car s engine transmission or emission control system. A malfunction indicator light comes on because a detector elsewhere in the item has noticed a malfunction in whatever it is monitoring.

However it does not indicate a single fault and this lamp may go on as a result of many different faults.