Nissan Check Engine Light Guide
Why Is My Nissan Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) On?
Many of us have experienced it before. You’re on your regular commute when suddenly an orange colored light pops up on the dashboard of your Nissan. This light is known as the Malfunction Indicator Light or Check Engine Light and illuminates when there is an issue with your vehicle. This can be unsettling and you may wonder how serious the problem is. A variety of factors can cause a Malfunction Indicator Light, from minor issues requiring light maintenance to a serious problem which could cause severe damage to your vehicle.
The first step to take once you see the dreaded Check Engine Light is to assess the situation. Check your dashboard gauges and lights for signs of overheating or low oil pressure. Should you notice a problem in either of these areas, you should pull over and shut of your engine immediately when it is safe to do so. A flashing or blinking Malfunction Indicator Light is generally a sign of a serious problem which could cause damage to your vehicle or put your safety in jeopardy should you continue to drive. Again, the best practice in this situation would be to pull over as soon as safely possible and seek assistance.
If you see the Check Engine Light come on but it does not flash, there are a few areas to investigate before scheduling a service appointment. First, take a look and make sure your gas cap is properly tightened. Occasionally, a loose gas cap can trigger a fault in the emissions system which could cause the Malfunction Indicator Light to come on. If you have run out of gas, this could cause a Malfunction Indicator Light to appear. From there, if the light continues to stay on you should reduce your speed and unhook a trailer if towing. Schedule a service appointment at your Nissan dealership to have the problem professionally diagnosed.
A wide variety of parts can cause a Check Engine Light to pop up but not flash indicating a severe problem. Components such as the O2 sensor, catalytic converter, mass air flow sensor, or spark plug wires are common causes of a Malfunction Indicator Light. It’s best to let the factory-trained Nissan technicians diagnose your vehicle to pinpoint the exact cause of the light.
How Do I Reset My Nissan Check Engine Light?
It’s never a good idea to ignore a Check Engine Light, but if you’ve identified the problem to be a minor issue such as a loose gas cap, the light may go off once the cap is tightened. After a few driving trips, the light should turn off if no potential emission control system malfunction exists. Similarly, other faults once corrected will cause the light to turn off after driving for a short distance. Several Nissan vehicles will require a diagnostic scan tool to reset the light if the problem is more severe. We recommend having an authorized Nissan technician perform this procedure.
