What Causes Engine Light On After Oil Change?

The check engine light is a signal from the car’s engine computer that something is wrong. This indicator is also known as the malfunction indicator lamp. Whenever the car’s engine check light illuminates it really feels like you are feeling an ache in your head since it is an indicator that something is wrong in your car and you need to get some part of your car fixed.

The light can be on due to some minor errors in your exteriors or small components that don’t matter that much, but it can also be an indicator of a major issue in your car’s engine. The check engine light can be orange, yellow, or in any color depending on the manufacturer. If the light begins flashing, however, it indicates a more serious problem, such as a misfire that can quickly overheat the catalytic converter. These emissions devices operate at high temperatures to cut emissions but can pose a fire hazard if faulty.

Why Does Your Engine Light On After Oil Change?

After you change the oil are you seeing the engine light turned on? Let’s find out what are the reasons that are causing your engine light on.

1. You Need To Replace The Oxygen Sensor

The oxygen sensor is a device that helps your car to burn fuel efficiently. If it is damaged you will not be getting the information you needed and that would cause you to waste a lot of money on your gas bill

If due to the oxygen sensor, the check engine light is on you will have to investigate which one is the faulty one. There are generally two and four-car sensors. The system that your mechanic will be having will find out the one that is needed to be fixed.

Replacing an oxygen sensor quickly is ideal. It’s also the cheapest solution for you. Without doing so, you risk your catalytic convertor breaking down, potentially costing you a lot more.

2. The Catalytic Converter Goes Out

If your catalytic converter has broken down, you will see your check engine light is turned on. If you are unable to accelerate as fast as you used to you will know that it’s failing.

If the catalytic converter goes out, you’ll also see the check engine light come on. This part reduces exhaust gases by turning harmful fumes into less pollutant air. If it’s failing, you’ll know because you won’t be able to accelerate as fast as you used to.

These are expensive parts to replace. The best way to keep them in good working order is to keep your car well maintained.

3. Loose Or Cracked Gas Cap

Cracked or loose gas caps might not seem like a culprit, but they can wreak major havoc on your fuel economy. In fact, something as simple as a loose gas cap can throw an entire system off. Although this isn’t particularly threatening to your car’s health, it can cost you quite a bit of money in gas and make it harder for you to determine if something major is going on with your car.

4. Spark Plugs Are Failing

The spark needed in the combustion chamber to start your car is created by the spark plugs. If the plugs were misfiring, they are failing.

Spark plugs can fail over time like any part of your car, it is recommended to replace them every 100,000 miles. Your car will be in a better position and you won’t be disturbed by the check engine light.

5. Airflow Sensors

If you notice poorer gas mileage, emitting more emissions then your airflow sensors are damaged. Similar to an oxygen sensor these car parts let you know if you have the right amount of fuel streaming through the engine based on airflow.

What Do You Do If Your Check Engine Light Is On?

For Different models let us understand what you can do to fix this problem:

Chevrolet And GMC Models Without A VIC

The Chevrolet and GMC Models without VIC ( vehicle information center) follow these two steps to reset the oil change light, the following instructions cover the model year 2005:

  1. Close all the doors and slip behind the wheel. Insert the key into the ignition and turn the key to the accessory position. At this point, the instrument panel will illuminate.
  2. Now, press the pedal of the accelerator to the floor within the first five seconds of turning the key. Keep your sight on the oil light as it should flash before turning off. You may now release the pedal and turn off the ignition and remove the key.
  3. If the light fails to turn off, repeat the process.

Chevrolet And GMC Models With A VIC

For the models of Chevrolet and GMC Models with a VIC, replace the sensors which are not that hard but parts can be really expensive. Replacing your air filter regularly will help to keep your airflow sensors in proper working order.

  1. Turn on the ignition key to the accessory position, with the oil message displayed, locate the enter button on the driver information center.
  2. Then press and hold the button for a second. The panel will acknowledge your reset allowing you to move the key to the off position.
  3. Start the vehicle, the oil change light will stay off until it is time to change the oil again.

Jeep Wrangler

How do you reset an oil change light for some jeep products are as follows:

  1. The key is to be inserted in the ignition and turn that on without starting the engine.
  2. Depress the gas pedal slowly three successive times in 10 seconds.
  3. The system would have been reset at this position. You can verify that by turning off the ignition and on again. If you light is still on then repeat the process again and again.

Conclusion

In conclusion, now you know why does the engine light turns on after you change the oil. In this article, we have discussed a lot of different types of models of cars and how to reset the engine oil light for these car models.

If you are having any difficulties yet, you can comment in the comment box down below.

Leave a Comment