It is best to call a mechanic and have the sensor diagnosed and replaced if necessary. Your gas mileage will drop and the car will start stalling frequently. While it is possible to drive for months with a malfunctioning mass airflow sensor, it’s not a good idea. Have your air filter checked and replaced on a yearly basis. When a mass airflow sensor starts to fail, the car will stall, it will idle poorly, the emissions will go up, and your gas mileage will go down.Īn air filter that has never been replaced or improperly installed can sometimes be the culprit when it comes to a faulty mass airflow sensor. Faulty mass airflow sensor: This part directs the computer in your vehicle to add the correct amount of fuel based on the air that is coming through the engine.A damaged converter should be replaced immediately. Before that, your gas mileage will be horrid, the car will not run smoothly, and the car will not pass an emissions test. A failing converter can be the result of a faulty oxygen sensor that has not been replaced or any other engine efficacy issue.Ī broken catalytic converter will eventually bring your car to a complete stop. In most cases, a catalytic converter will not fail if you properly maintain your car. A failing converter will negatively affect your gas mileage and when the damage becomes severe enough, your vehicle won’t go any faster when you push down harder on the gas pedal. It converts the carbon monoxide and other harmful gases into less harmful emissions. Failing catalytic converter: A catalytic converter helps reduce emissions in the exhaust gases.Your best bet is to call a mechanic and get a proper diagnosis. If you put off getting an oxygen sensor replaced, it will eventually damage your catalytic converter, which can be very costly to replace.
The OBD II code will tell the mechanic which one is giving a reading that is outside of its parameters.ĭeterioration of the precious metals inside the oxygen sensor affects the sensors’ ability to give an accurate reading. The majority of vehicles have two to four sensors. If you have a faulty sensor, it will not provide the correct data to the onboard computer. Faulty oxygen sensor: An oxygen sensor monitors the exhaust for unburned oxygen, which indicates engine efficacy and the proper air-to-fuel ratio.If the light stays on, schedule an appointment with a mechanic. Once you have fixed the issue, continue driving to see if the check engine light turns off. If it is damaged, head to your local auto parts store for a new one. If it is loose, a quick tighten could very well solve your problem. When that annoying yellow light pops on, the first thing you should do is pull over and inspect your gas cap. A loose or damaged cap can reduce your gas mileage and increase emissions from your car. Your gas cap acts as the seal for your fuel system and it helps maintain the pressure in your fuel tank. Loose or damaged gas cap: It’s hard to believe that a gas cap can prompt your check engine light to come on, but it can.While a Check Engine Light can come on for a number of reasons, in most cases it is due to one of the following issues: Service type Check Engine Light is on Inspection