13
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT
NOTE:
A Check Engine or MIL light must be installed. If the Check
Engine light is illuminated, it will remain on until the problem is corrected
and the engine has gone through three consecutive warm up cycles, or if
the light has been cleared by a service technician with a scan tool. A warm
up cycle is a starting temperature close to ambient increasing to operating
temperature.
There are two lights on the dash to indicate engine related problems. The
operator is responsible to scan for illuminated bulbs during the course of engine
operation. The first indicator is the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). The MIL
conveys to the operator that a fault exists that is related to the engine’s control
system. When this light is illuminated a fault code has been set that requires
immediate attention or engine component damage could conceivably occur.
Please stop operation of engine as soon as safely possible. Request that a
technician inspect the fault code setting, he or she will connect a scan tool to
determine the cause of the MIL illuminating, repair the problem and clear the
codes. The MIL related codes are caused by sensor output and/or conditions that
adversely affect the operational output of the engine. Some of the components
that can cause problems are: crank sensor, cam sensor, fuel injectors,
regulators, ignition system and Manifold Air Pressure (MAP) sensor.
The second indicator is the Check Engine light. This bulb will illuminate when a
non-emissions related issue occurs. Items that can cause these codes are high
or low - oil pressure and coolant temperature and various power relays operation,
system voltage etc. The lighting of this fault indicator would indicate to the
operator that the gauges for oil pressure and coolant temperature should be
checked immediately and action taken to eliminate engine damage. There are
safeties in the calibration that will turn off the engine if the sensor output is out of
the normal range (low oil pressure when the engine is at rated speed for
instance). If the engine should turn off for no apparent reason check this lamp.
Similar to the MIL, the fault code will have to be read and cleared before
continuing vehicle operation (after repairing the root problem).
