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Why is the check engine light still illuminated after oil change? There are pretty many issues that could trigger the check engine light after oil change. Probably, you thought the oil in your engine was low, while in the real sense, something else was actually the problem.
Your check engine light is still illuminated after an oil change because some other component in your car is in bad shape. It could be spark plugs, O2 sensors, or filters. There are many things that can trigger the check engine icon to illuminate.
Until you fix the actual issue that triggered the illumination of the check engine icon, it’d remain active even after oil changes.
Check Engine Light After Oil Change: Possible Reasons
Your car is due for an oil change and the check engine light came on; you went for an oil change, and after that, the check engine light hasn’t gone off yet?
Here’s what you need to know:
If you didn’t install the oil filter after the oil change, or the oil dipstick is not probably seated, the check engine light would still be active. In rare cases, you may need to reset the oil change meter counter (this should be done by the mechanic that changed your oil).
However, notwithstanding, the check engine light indicates that one or more components connected to your car’s engine are failing. Probably, there’s something else that needs to be fixed in your car, and that’s why the check engine hasn’t gone off.
To turn off the illumination, you have to fix whatever caused the light to come on, in the first place. That said, it is important to mention the possible issues that would cause the check engine light to come on.
Hereunder are the possible reasons why your check engine light is still active even after an oil change.
1. Dipstick Not Properly Reinstalled
If you did the oil change by yourself, it’s possible you forgot to sit the dipstick properly. So, check again, and ensure the dipstick is well seated, and that could cause the check engine light to go off.
2. Oil Reservoir Cap Concerns
After filling in new oil, you have to turn the reservoir’s cap in a clockwise direction. If the oil cap is fitted backward, or it is broken, that could be the reason why the check engine light is still showing.
3. The Reservoir is Overfull
While running with low oil is not good for an engine, it is also not good to run with an overfilled oil reservoir.
Actually, while refilling new oil, you should use the dipstick to know when the oil reaches the recommended level. If the oil reservoir is overfilled, you need to remove the excesses.
4. Something Else Is Wrong
When you check and the oil in your reservoir is well-gauged, the dipstick is well fitted, and there’s nothing wrong with the oil cap, yet the check engine light is still on.
That could be a sign that something else needs to be fixed. Troubleshoot your vehicle, read the error codes, and fix the faulty components.
What More?
If your check engine light is still illuminated after oil change, the issues explained above are the most definite causes. Actually, it is not advisable to exceed your oil change intervals or drive with low oil in the engine.
So, if you defaulted – drove with low oil or exceeded your oil change intervals – it is safe to assume that some other components of your car had been damaged before you went for the oil change.
Well, most repairs related to defaulting on oil change intervals aren’t too expensive to fix.