Check engine light on Niva Chevy reason

What does the Check Engine light mean?

When the Check Engine light, located on the dashboard, comes on, it means that the electronic control unit (ECU) has detected a problem with one of the vehicle's systems.

Reference. The light comes on when the engine starts and then goes off. It is at this time that the ECU tests the main systems of the car, and if it finds no problems, it turns off the emergency indicator.

If the ECU detects a malfunction, it records it in the internal memory in the form of a special error code and informs the driver with a lit “check”. In some cases, the indicator may be constantly on, in others it may go out and then light up again - it all depends on the specific type of malfunction.

A light coming on does not mean that you should necessarily stop the car and turn off the engine. Check Engine can be triggered in different cases, so you need to react to it differently :

Problems with the Check Engine light coming on can be caused by objective reasons. For example, it is triggered by the installation of a new alarm system or an almost discharged battery. In this case, you can ignore the error.
If the check light is on on the Chevrolet Niva, but the engine is running normally, you can continue driving. Such a malfunction, as a rule, is not critical. However, subsequently you need to diagnose the error using a scanner or computer and troubleshoot the problem.
If the warning light goes off simultaneously with a sharp change in the behavior of the Niva, it is recommended to immediately stop the car and turn off the engine. A sharp drop in power, tripping, the appearance of strong detonations at idle, floating speed while driving may indicate a serious engine malfunction. It is dangerous to continue driving in such a situation.

The check light came on for a Niva Chevrolet reasons

If the Check engine indicator light comes on on the dashboard of your car (or simply the “check” is on), you should at least be wary. The reasons for this can be very diverse - from a loose gas tank cap to serious problems with the engine.

What does the Check Engine Light mean?

Sometimes it can be a very minor problem - for example, a loose gas cap or a faulty catalyst. However, you should not ignore the indicator signals under any circumstances, as this can result in serious problems.

The Check indicator may light up for various reasons.

Sometimes the cause of the indicator light may be poor fuel quality. So don’t be surprised if, after refueling at an unfamiliar gas station, you see the Check Engine light flashing.

Typically the indicator is located on the car's dashboard under the engine speed indicator. It is indicated by a schematic engine or a rectangle with the inscription Check engine or simply Check. In some cases, instead of an inscription, a lightning symbol is depicted.

Is it possible to continue driving while the light is on?

The brake pads are worn out, it's time for the next maintenance, the speed is switched incorrectly, low-quality fuel is used, the on-board voltage has dropped - all this can cause the Check indicator to light up. First of all, you should check the motor. If the reason for the signal to turn on is due to engine malfunctions, it is dangerous to continue driving.

The problem is aggravated by the fact that it is impossible to independently determine the malfunction of a modern internal combustion engine by smell or color. You should contact professionals who will use a scanner to identify the malfunction, if, of course, there is one.

A burning Check light may indicate various breakdowns - it is better not to ignore it

Therefore, if after restarting the car the light does not go out, you can only drive it to the nearest car service center. There they will conduct a comprehensive diagnostic of the engine and its systems.

Operating a vehicle with the Check Engine icon illuminated leads to increased fuel consumption, unstable engine operation, and decreased traction characteristics of the vehicle. Moreover, in this case, the car owner may lose the guarantee for car repairs.

Why did the light come on and how to fix it

The main situations in which the indicator lights up and the recommended courses of action for the car owner:

If the Check engine lights up and goes out immediately when starting the car, there is no damage to the engine. The cause of the fire is most likely harmless - the fuel tank cap is lost or not screwed in properly. Just wrap it tightly and check if the warning disappears.
If the indicator lights up while driving, you should stop and check the wires. You may find a cable hanging loose under the hood or an open battery terminal. This applies to all attachments - wires, hoses, etc.
If the light flashes while driving, you should stop and check the sounds made by the engine, pay attention to the oil level, and inspect the sides of the engine. If no visually obvious violations are detected, it is recommended to drive to the nearest car service center and carry out diagnostics.
If the engine is running normally and the Check light is constantly flashing, there is most likely an ignition failure. You should check the spark plugs and coil, pay attention to the quality of the fuel. To do this, it is better to contact the nearest auto diagnostic center.
If the indicator is constantly on, you need to stop, unscrew the spark plugs and check the gap. Gaps that exceed 1.3 may cause the light bulb to burn out.
In addition, when the “check” is on, the ignition is usually checked. Any car service center has special testers that allow you to determine the wear of wiring insulation.
A faulty fuel pump can also cause the light to come on. You should stop and listen to the sounds the fuel pump makes. A smooth hum without clicks or pauses is considered normal. If extraneous sounds appear, the pump should be dismantled, washed inside and the filter cleaned.
Serious engine malfunctions can be indicated by the coolant temperature. If it is above 85–90 degrees, and the Check engine lights up while driving, the engine is definitely faulty. In this case, it is advisable to call a tow truck or drive at low speed to the nearest car service center.

Source: https://automotocity.com/avtovaz/zagorelsja-chek-na-niva-shevrole-prichiny.html

Why did the light come on and how to fix it

There are many reasons for the Check Engine light to come on . The most common reasons for a light bulb to go off include the following problems.

Refueling with low-quality fuel

Most often, the indicator light comes on after filling the gas tank with low-quality gasoline . In this case, you can correct the situation by adding high-quality fuel to the tank. You can also completely drain the gasoline, clean the fuel system, and then refuel with high-quality fuel at a reliable gas station.

Refueling with 92 gasoline

The recommended gasoline for the Chevrolet Niva engine has an octane number of 95 , but the Chevy Niva engine is capable of “digesting” 92-octane gasoline. In this case, the Check Engine warning light may be triggered, since due to insufficient octane number of gasoline, the level of fuel detonation in the engine cylinders increases. Switching to 95 gasoline helps solve the problem.

Low battery

The light may light up if the on-board network voltage is low , that is, the battery is almost discharged. If the car engine starts, then the activation of the indicator does not have any negative consequences. You just need to charge the battery, after which the problem will disappear.

Insufficient engine oil level

Lack of oil causes engine oil starvation . The low level should also be indicated by the oil pressure warning light located on the instrument panel. But sometimes it doesn’t work, and the problem only manifests itself in the Check Engine light coming on. You need to check the oil level, and it is also worth inspecting the engine compartment for leaks. If the level is insufficient, add engine oil to the filler neck.

Engine overheating

It may be due to a malfunction of the radiator cooling fan, a coolant leak, or other reasons. This malfunction is easily diagnosed, since the engine temperature is displayed on the Chevy Niva dashboard. To solve the problem, you need to stop and let the engine cool. Then you should diagnose and eliminate the malfunction that caused the light bulb to blink.

Contamination of fuel injectors with tar deposits

For this reason, the pressure in the fuel line decreases . It manifests itself in complications when starting the engine, increased fuel consumption, failures during acceleration, and unstable operation of the engine at idle due to misfires in the engine cylinders. To correct the situation, you need to clean the fuel injectors.

What to do if the check engine light comes on due to a malfunction in the fuel supply system

In case of problems associated with the flow of fuel into the cylinders, it is recommended to check the condition of the spray nozzles. Their holes must be cleaned, washed, and, if necessary, completely replaced with new devices.

A decrease in pressure in the fuel system is caused by malfunctions:

Gasoline pump (in carburetor, injection engines).
Fuel filter
Injection pump pump (in diesel).

If the check light is caused by a failed catalytic converter, drivers simply remove it from the exhaust system and then disconnect the corresponding sensor (oxygen).

Resetting or Resetting the Check Engine Light

The indicator indicates that the ECU has detected an error and written its code to the internal memory . Therefore, even after the fault has been eliminated, the indicator remains on, since the error was not diagnosed and reset.

The easiest way to reset the error is to disconnect the battery terminal , thereby de-energizing the on-board network. In this case, the light will go out.

For this it is necessary:

turn off the engine;
open the hood;
disconnect the positive terminal of the battery;
wait a couple of minutes and then reconnect the terminal.

This method will not solve the problem that caused the indicator to light up . If the problem is not resolved, then there is a high probability that after some time the lamp will light up again. Therefore, it is better to diagnose the error code using a scanner and software installed on a computer, laptop or regular smartphone. This can be done at any service station; the procedure will cost from 500 to 1000 rubles. But you can do it on your own.

The Chevrolet Niva, like other modern cars, is equipped with an OBD2 diagnostic connector (16 pin). The connector is located next to the ignition switch and is partially covered by the steering column cover. By connecting a diagnostic scanner connected to a laptop or mobile phone to the connector, you can read all the errors recorded by the electronic control unit.

Important! After the error is read and decrypted, the control indicator should go out.

What does the Check Engine light mean?

To start the engine, the driver turns on the ignition. If the check engine light is flashing at the same time, this should not cause concern, since it will soon go out. But a burning signal while the engine is running indicates problems with its operation.

If a malfunction occurs in the operation of the power unit, an error is recorded in the memory of the control unit in the form of a coded signal. In this case, the check engine light appears on the dashboard. If the car does not have diagnostics in automatic mode, you need to connect a scanning device to a special connector. The scanner reads the code and provides a detailed explanation of the error.

If the check engine light comes on: 5 most common reasons for the “Check engine” light to turn on

Many of us have probably encountered such a problem as turning on the engine icon (“Check engine”), the appearance of which on the car dashboard scares drivers. Today we invite you to familiarize yourself with the 5 (five) most common reasons why the check engine light comes on on the dashboard.

The appearance of the engine indicator icon on the dashboard usually occurs without warning. The reason for the appearance of this “Check Engine” cannot be immediately understood. Even if the car has auto diagnostics (for example, in cars such as BMW, Audi, Porshe, Mercedes-Benz, VW), which scans all car systems for errors and their presence, displaying decryption information on the instrument panel, such reasons for the appearance The engine checks will not be deciphered.

For most drivers, the appearance of this warning icon on the instrument panel means the need to urgently go to a car repair shop for diagnosis and to eliminate the reason why the “Check Engine” warning icon appeared. But in fact, in most cases, when the “Check” indication appears, you can independently diagnose the cause of the engine failure, and in some cases it is even possible to eliminate this cause yourself without a trip to a car service center, which will certainly save you money.

What to do if the engine warning light comes on?

If you have already checked the condition of the tank cap and did not find a breakdown, then you should proceed to the following steps:

You may need to replace your oxygen indicator. If the sensor has deteriorated, then too much carbon dioxide may accumulate in the car, fuel may not be used rationally, which leads to excessive consumption, and the engine may constantly malfunction, providing data to the warning lamp;
replacement of a catalyzed part of a vehicle. This part is needed to ensure that car exhaust does not cause so much harm to the environment. If there is a breakdown in this system, the engine may also malfunction and the part will need to be cleaned or replaced;
reinstallation of the oxygen supply indicator to the fuel tank. The part is necessary for equal mixing of gasoline with air and a better combustion process, and if the air stops supplying, the tank may clog, the gasoline will thicken, and the engine will malfunction. Timely diagnostics of this system can protect you from possible repairs and costs;
Spark plugs are one of the main causes of engine lights. Timely diagnostics and replacement of spark plugs can keep your car running for a long time and the lamp itself will stop giving a red signal. The candles are changed after a certain period of time and the operation must be carried out regularly, since a failure in this system can adversely affect all others.

Having determined the main reasons for the engine warning light to come on, you can safely drive your car, knowing that timely and, most importantly, regular vehicle diagnostics will help prevent this problem. You can solve the problem of engine failure yourself, however, it is best to seek help from professionals, especially if the indicator flashes quite often.

Replace the oxygen sensor (lambda probe)

The oxygen sensor in your car is part of the exhaust system that monitors how much oxygen is not burned in the engine combustion chamber. This sensor helps control the vehicle's fuel consumption. A malfunction of the oxygen sensor (lambda probe) means that the car computer does not receive the correct data and can significantly increase fuel consumption, and at the same time reduce engine power. Most cars have 2 to 4 oxygen sensors. If you have a home car error scanner, then by connecting it to the car you can easily find out which sensor needs to be replaced.

For what reason does the oxygen sensor in a car become unusable: - Over time, the sensor becomes covered with a layer of used and regular motor oil (oil soot), which reduces the accuracy of reading sensor readings for regulating the gasoline mixture and distributing optimal fuel consumption. A malfunction of the oxygen sensor in a car leads not only to increased fuel consumption, but also to an increased content of harmful CO2 substances in the exhaust.

What needs to be done: -If you do not change a faulty car oxygen sensor, this may lead to failure of the car catalyst (it may burst), which will result in expensive repairs for you. The cost of new catalysts is very high due to the precious alloys they contain. Some cars have several of these catalysts at once and their cost can reach up to 90 thousand rubles. So gentlemen, don’t delay replacing the oxygen sensor. Although replacing the sensor itself and its cost are decent, it is still not commensurate with the cost of the exhaust gas catalyst system itself. You can save money on replacing this sensor by doing it yourself. Many car manuals have detailed instructions on how to replace the oxygen sensor yourself. If you know where the oxygen sensor is located, then it will not be difficult for you to disconnect the faulty lambda probe and replace it with a new one. Remember that you cannot delay replacing this important element!

Check engine light is yellow

On most cars, such as VAZ, Gazelle or Mazda, the color of this indicator will be yellow or reddish. Moreover, in the absence of other signs, this may mean either a serious malfunction or an error on the on-board computer (when, over a long service life, information about minor errors that has not been reset has accumulated in the memory). In this case, a short-term reset of the negative terminal of the battery (for 15-20 seconds) is a suitable solution - this will give the system a shake-up necessary in case of a simple “glitch”. There are several other methods of possible “self-medication”. If it doesn't help, the reason is deeper. When the check engine light is on, try:

check the tank lid (if it is open, close it);
unscrew the spark plugs and check their condition;
inspect the wires for external damage;
conduct computer diagnostics for faulty sensors.

Check the fuel filler cap

Many drivers, in some cases, when the “check engine” indication appears, begin to think about serious problems with the engine; they do not even think of checking the tightness of the fuel system, which may be compromised due to a defect or an insufficiently tightened fuel tank cap. This is a very common reason for the appearance of the “Check” engine icon.

Reason for the error: - Leakage of the fuel system due to the passage of air through the filler cap of the fuel tank, as well as an increase in the fuel consumption of the vehicle, for which the vehicle’s diagnostic system will definitely display an engine error by turning on the “Check engine” indication on the vehicle’s instrument panel.

What needs to be done: -If when the “Check” indication appears, your car has not lost its power and there are no audible signs of engine damage (knocking, humming, creaking, etc. in the engine), then the first thing you need to do is check the gas tank for leaks. Your gas cap may be cracked or not tightened enough. If the gas tank cap was not tightened enough, then after tightening it all the way, you can continue driving the car for a while, and then look at the dashboard and see if the engine error disappears. To prevent the check engine light from appearing and lighting up, check the fuel filler cap regularly. Remember also that periodically this cover must be replaced with a new one!

Conclusion

The Check Engine light on the engine dashboard means that a problem has occurred that should be repaired immediately. So, before looking for a mechanical failure, it is recommended to diagnose the software and determine exactly where the problem is hidden. Only after this should you look for a mechanical problem.

A car malfunction is unpleasant. A breakdown will occur unexpectedly if you do not take care of the car and do not heed warnings. One of them is the “Check engine” light. How to understand what the problem is, what it indicates and what to do if it lights up.

Car exhaust catalyst

An automobile catalytic converter helps the vehicle make this engine exhaust more environmentally friendly. It converts carbon monoxide and other harmful substances into harmless compounds. If your exhaust catalyst has become unusable, then you will notice it not only when the check engine icon appears, but also long before the moment when the power of your car drops by half. For example, when you press the gas pedal, your car will not have the same good acceleration dynamics as before.

What can cause a car catalyst to fail: -If you regularly service your car in accordance with the car company's maintenance regulations, then the catalyst in the car should not fail. The main reason for catalyst failure is untimely replacement of a faulty oxygen sensor, as well as irregular replacement of spark plugs after their expiration date. When the oxygen sensor or spark plugs are faulty, the conversion of carbon monoxide in the catalyst into harmless chemical elements stops, and this leads to overheating of the catalyst, which because of this can fail.

What needs to be done: -If your catalyst has become unusable, then you cannot drive a car, since the engine in the car will not work correctly, warning about this by an indication on the dashboard with the “check” engine icon. Also, your car's fuel consumption will greatly increase and there will be no engine traction. Although replacing the catalyst is an expensive repair, there is still no escape from this repair. Although today there is an alternative to replacing the catalyst with a flame arrester, this is not a 100% option. Unfortunately for many, if you are not an experienced auto mechanic, you will not be able to replace a faulty exhaust gas catalyst yourself. In any case, you will have to contact a car repair shop. Remember, friends, that timely replacement of oxygen sensors and spark plugs protects your catalyst from damage!

Replace the mass air flow sensor

The mass air flow sensor regulates the amount of air that must be added to the gasoline mixture for optimal combustion of the fuel. This sensor constantly reports data on the amount of oxygen supplied to the car's computer. A faulty mass air flow sensor increases this fuel consumption and also increases the level of CO2 in the exhaust gas, thereby reducing engine power and smoothness. Also, if the sensor is faulty, poor acceleration dynamics are observed. In cold weather, a car with a faulty sensor has difficulty starting.

Replacing spark plugs and high-voltage wires

Spark plugs in a car are the main parts; they are designed to ignite the fuel mixture. With faulty spark plugs, the spark is not supplied correctly to ignite the gasoline mixture. With faulty spark plugs, it often happens that there is no spark or the timing of the supply of this spark is incorrect, and this affects the incorrect operation of the engine. If the spark plugs are not working correctly, you may feel slight jolts when accelerating the car, especially when starting from a standstill.

What are the reasons for the failure of spark plugs: -Most spark plugs in cars produced before 1996 must be changed every 25,000 - 30,000 thousand kilometers. In newer cars, these spark plugs last for more than 150,000 thousand km. But, nevertheless, these periods of planned replacement of spark plugs can be reduced due to various factors that are naturally associated with both fuel quality and driving style.

What needs to be done: -If your spark plugs have not been changed for a long time or you feel dips in the engine’s operation that are specifically related to the ignition, then you must immediately replace them with new ones without delay. Do not try to save money by untimely replacement of spark plugs, since the cost of the spark plugs itself is not as expensive as the work itself to replace them. By replacing old spark plugs with new ones, you will improve engine performance and reduce vehicle fuel consumption. Changing the spark plugs in your car yourself is quite easy. Basically, they are all easily accessible under the hood of the car. You only need a regular spark plug wrench to remove the spark plugs from the engine. It is also advisable to monitor the condition of high-voltage wires, since over time they can become unusable and allow electricity to pass through, which is transferred to the spark plugs, which can reduce the strength of the spark. Remember that regular replacement of spark plugs in accordance with the maintenance schedule for your car protects your exhaust catalyst from breakdowns, and at the same time improves the performance of the engine itself!

This article of ours was originally published in 2013, and was further updated with new information on 02/17/2020.

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