How to turn off your engine management light
Your vehicle’s engine management light (EML) is a vital one to recognise, as it’s designed to show on your dashboard if there’s a fault within your engine that could be dangerous if left unchecked.
Also known as the engine warning light or check engine light, the EML can be a useful indicator that helps you know when to take your car to your local autocentre. Below, we explore what you should do when you see the EML lit so you can be confident you know how to get it to disappear.
How do you turn the engine management light off?
Generally speaking, your reaction to seeing the EML come on shouldn’t be to try and turn it off – or at least that shouldn’t be your direct course of action. It’s rare for it to come on without good cause, so it’s not to be ignored.
The light will turn off when the problem that triggered it has been resolved, so your main plan of action should be to identify and resolve the issue.
When it first comes on
Your EML should show briefly when you turn on your car’s engine, but it usually flickers out after a few seconds. If that doesn’t happen and the light continues to show, that means there’s a fault.
In some cases, it may be a small issue that doesn’t require the help of a mechanic. For example, the EML can show if your oil dipstick is loose, so it’s always worth taking a moment to make sure it’s properly in place and see if that solves the problem.
If the light continues to show, then the best thing you can do in order to turn that light off again is to take your car to a mechanic at an autocentre. With the equipment and facilities there, the mechanic will be able to run an engine diagnostic scan that allows them to identify the problem – as there are lots of reasons that could cause the EML to show.
Some people worry that the problem will turn out to be something simple that they could have fixed themselves – but there’s no need to do so. Mechanics are happy to help with any issue, big or small, and in the case of EMLs showing, it really is better to be safe than sorry. Don’t just wait for your next car service.
Important! If your EML is flashing or lit up red instead of a steady amber light, that’s a signal that the problem is severe. In these circumstances, you should pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so (or don’t start driving if you’ve just got into your car) and call for roadside assistance. Driving with a serious fault can put everyone around you at risk.
When a fault has been found and fixed
If the problem that triggered your vehicle’s EML has been resolved, the light should go off automatically. Your mechanic will check that the light has gone out before returning the vehicle to you, as if it stays on it may mean that the problem they fixed wasn’t what triggered it – or it wasn’t the only problem.
But what about if you spot the light again after you’ve driven your car home, for example? Well, park your car somewhere safe, turn the engine off and wait for a few minutes. Then turn the engine on again. If the light shows and doesn’t turn off again, that’s a good sign that it’s a genuine warning and not just a hangover from the old issue – so you’ll need to speak to a mechanic again.
In some cases, the EML can turn on, go out and then come back on again. Usually, this means that the sensor picking up the issue is only spotting it at certain times. Regardless, you should get it checked out by a qualified mechanic who can fix the problem and set your mind at rest.
You may see advice online suggesting that you can reset the EML yourself at home. It’s vitally important that you don’t try to do this for two key reasons. This is because:
- Without getting a mechanic to check your engine, you can’t be certain that there isn’t a fault that could be a danger to you or other road users
- Resetting the EML while there is a fault in your vehicle could cause further damage and make repairs more costly.
It’s also the case that a lit EML will be classed as a major fault on your MOT, and not addressing the problem ahead of time makes it more likely that your vehicle will fail inspection.
At the end of the day, the message is clear: if your engine management light stays on, take your car to a trusted mechanic. It’s not worth the risk to continue driving as normal, with potential faults posing a risk to you, your passengers, pedestrians and other users of the road. Get it checked out, get it sorted.
UPDATED
