Do you encounter an illuminated exhaust system light Isuzu vehicle problem?
You may have been driving your vehicle for a while now, when all of a sudden, you notice the amber-colored engine symbol on your dashboard suddenly glows. This can cause you to wonder what exactly it means and what you need to do – or if you should stop driving.
Now, every image you see on your dashboard comes with an important purpose. So, when something is illuminated, it means that there is a potential problem that you must not ignore. In the case of the check engine light, this gets illuminated when there are numerous issues with your vehicle such as the exhaust system, to name a few.
Find out what exactly you should do when you see the exhaust system light turn on and whether you should be concerned or not. Let’s get started.
Exhaust System Light Isuzu – Common Causes
There are a few reasons why you may have your exhaust system light turned on. These are among the most common ones that you need to keep in mind.
1. Faulty emissions system
The emissions control is responsible for monitoring how much carbon monoxide is emitted by your vehicle while it runs. If you are keen on environmental-friendly practices, then it is something you should pay attention to, since the more emissions, the more carbon footprint there is.
The oxygen sensor in your vehicle senses if your engine is burning more or less fuel. Thus, this can cause the check engine light to turn on, which means your vehicle may be running too lean or too rich, or whether there is an issue with your sensor at all.
2. Clogged DPF
Your vehicle’s DPF measures how quickly gas travels through your exhaust. When gas moves through your system, this passes through the DPF that is responsible for removing harmful particulates from your exhaust. It oxidizes particles and turns them into fine ash, which prevents the release of too many harmful components into the air. When this particular process fails, or if you have a blocked filter, then the exhaust system light may turn on.
3. Malfunctioning mass airflow sensor
Your engine control unit or ECU calculates the amount of fuel required to be added to your combustion chambers, depending on the data received from your mass airflow sensor. It obtains information from your air filter, so when there is a clog or poor installation issues to the air filter, your sensor may sustain some damages. Therefore, your exhaust system light may turn on.
4. Ignition system issues
Your ignition system burns the fuel then starts your engine. But when there are issues with this system, as well as some other faulty components including your spark plugs, coil cylinders and glow plugs, the exhaust system light may switch on. These problems are also called misfires, and you may need to get these parts replaced when frequent issues arise.
After your ECU has prompted the engine of these problems, the check engine light turns on. This happens once your ECU has identified some issues with the engine, which means you need to take action.
What To Do Next
Now that you are aware of the common causes behind the exhaust system light turning on, you may be wondering what needs to be done next.
First, you need to observe. Make sure that no other symbols that are lit on your dashboard are indicating further issues such as overheating and low oil pressure. If you notice there are additional concerns, you need to pull over and turn the engine off. Then, you will have to get roadside assistance to help you take your vehicle to a service shop.
Next, inspect your gas cap. It is possible that the cap is loose or broken. When you have a broken gas cap or rubber seal, this can also cause the light to illuminate.
Another thing you need to do is to minimize the pressure on your engine. If you notice that your vehicle is not running at a normal rate or the performance has reduced, you should slow down and make it a priority to get your vehicle serviced sooner than later.
If you wish to reset your emission warning light, this is something you can consider when the light stays on even after getting your vehicle checked by a specialist and having all the problems solved.
The best and quickest way to reset the light is by driving your vehicle and just allow the light to switch off naturally on its own. But if you still see the light stays on after three days, you need to turn your vehicle on and off thrice consecutively.
You may also need to remove and reconnect your battery to reset the light. Disconnect your positive power cable, keep it off for about 20 minutes, then put the key in the on position in your ignition. Afterwards, reconnect your positive battery cable, put the key in your ignition and allow a few minutes to pass, then the light should be off.
However, if the issue persists, you will have to take your vehicle once again to a specialist. Then, the mechanic will run some diagnostics and determine the actual cause of the problem and check for other issues with your vehicle.
If you are not detecting any serious issues with your vehicle’s performance even with the exhaust system light on, you should be able to drive your vehicle without any problem. But if there are noticeable problems, pull over and have your vehicle diagnosed by an expert right away. A glowing exhaust system light is not something to be taken lightly.
Read More: Why Does My Dual Exhaust Only Smoke On One Side?
Wrap Up
When you have your exhaust system light turned on, it is because of exhaust-related issues with your vehicle. You may have some damages to your sensors, catalytic converter, or exhaust manifold. So, these components need to be checked, along with the other possible triggers to this light.
Some symptoms also come with an exhaust system light turned on such as a burning smell coming from your engine, reduced acceleration and power, as well as less fuel efficiency. Thus, make it a point to have your vehicle checked by a specialist to make sure there are no further issues that can jeopardize the performance and lifespan of your Isuzu vehicle.