Common Reasons for the Audi Check Engine Light to Illuminate 

Audi Check Engine Light

 

The check engine light is the bane of new car drivers everywhere. However, when you own an Audi, you may wonder specifically why this light has illuminated and what it is trying to tell you. You can take the best care of your Audi by learning about the most common reasons for why the check engine light comes on in these vehicles and what you should do about it as the car’s owner.

Loose Gas Cap

One of the most common reasons that an Audi check engine light would come on is simply because the gas cap is loose. If your car does not give you a warning signal of a LOOSE GAS CAP or GAS CAP, it might instead illuminate the check engine light.

When the cause of the light stems from the gas cap being loose, your car most likely will not exhibit any outward symptoms of malfunction like engine misfiring or engine stalling. Still, you should verify that the gas cap is loose and if necessary replace it with one that is specifically designed for your Audi make and model.

Oxygen Sensors

Another common reason for the Audi check engine light to come on involves faulty oxygen sensors. When the oxygen sensors in your car’s engine malfunction, they can trigger the check engine light to illuminate.

In this instance, it can be easy to assume that the light is on because of a loose gas cap. However, you should take your car into a skilled mechanic’s shop and have the codes read for why the Audi check engine light has come on suddenly. If it indicates that the oxygen sensors need to be replaced, you should allow an experienced mechanic to make the repairs for you rather than attempt it yourself.

Ignition Coils or Coil packs

When the ignition coils or coil packs in your engine malfunction, they will trigger the Audi check engine light to illumine. This malfunction will often be accompanied by notable symptoms like the engine shaking or misfiring. These symptoms should alert you to immediately stop driving the car and have it taken to an experienced mechanic’s shop.

Replacing or repairing the ignition coils or coil packs requires intricate knowledge of the Audi engine.

Catalytic Converter

Finally, a faulty catalytic converter can trigger the Audi check engine to come on suddenly and without warning. As with malfunctioning ignition coils or coil packs, a bad catalytic converter can be accompanied by symptoms like shaking or misfiring. You should take these symptoms as hints to stop driving your car and have it serviced immediately.

Repairing a catalytic converter in an Audi can be a complex job. It is crucial that you allow an experienced Audi mechanic to make this repair for you rather than attempt it on your own.

Check Engine Light

These issues are some of the most common for why the check engine light may come on while you are driving your Audi. Many times, the light will illuminate even if your car does not exhibit any symptoms.

Because your car seems to be driving fine, it can be tempting to ignore the light and assume that it will go off on its own. It is true that if the cause stems from a faulty gas cap, the light will reset itself and go off two to three days after you tighten or replace the cap. Otherwise, the light will remain illuminated until you have the codes read on your Audi and you figure out why the light came on in the first place.

Regardless of why your Audi check engine light came on in your , it is crucial that you do not ignore it. You also should resist driving your car for a prolonged period of time even if it does not exhibit any symptoms. You should allow a skilled mechanic to read the codes on the engine and make the recommended repairs immediately.

More about the Check Engine Light

If the Audi check engine light comes on or starts flashing while your car exhibits symptoms like engine misfiring or shaking, it is critical that you stop driving it immediately and instead have it towed rather than driven to a mechanic’s shop. A flashing check engine light indicates that something is seriously wrong with your engine. You should never drive your Audi while the check engine light is flashing.

The Audi check engine light tells you that something is amiss with your vehicle. You may be tempted to ignore it. However, you should have the engine codes read and the car repaired by a mechanic who is experienced in working on all types of Audi makes and models.