What Your Check Engine Light is Really Trying to Tell You

You’re cruising down 9400 South in Sandy, windows down, playlist perfect—and then it happens. That little orange engine icon lights up. Cue the internal panic: "Has that always been on? Is something about to break?" Suddenly, you’re Googling "Why is my check engine light on?" while wondering if it’s safe to keep driving.

Welcome to the mystery that is your check engine light. At Gary Beardsley Automotive, we’ve seen just about every reason for that glowing icon. Think of us as your car’s translator—we turn confusing dashboard warnings into clear, no-nonsense info you can actually use.

What It Could Mean: A Simple Breakdown

Cars don’t speak human, but we do. Here’s what that light could be trying to say:

Loose Gas Cap: "You forgot to tighten me. Again."

• One of the most common causes.

• Helps maintain pressure in the fuel system.

• A loose or damaged cap can trigger the light.

• Tighten it, drive a bit, and the light may shut off on its own.

Oxygen Sensor Failure: "Something’s off in the air-fuel mix."

• Measures unburned oxygen in the exhaust.

• Helps optimize your fuel-to-air ratio.

• If faulty, it can reduce gas mileage and increase emissions.

Catalytic Converter Trouble: "I’m not cleaning up after you anymore."

• Converts harmful gases into less harmful emissions.

• Failure can cause sluggish driving, bad smells, and costly repairs.

• Common in older or high-mileage vehicles.

Mass Airflow Sensor Issues: "I’m flying blind on airflow."

• Monitors air entering the engine.

• A bad sensor can cause rough idling or stalling.

• Sometimes caused by a dirty air filter.

Worn Spark Plugs or Coils: "I’m missing the spark—literally."

• Spark plugs ignite the fuel-air mix.

• Faulty ones can cause misfires, rough driving, or engine shaking.

• A blinking check engine light often points here.

EVAP System Leak: "I smell gas—and that’s not great."

• Keeps fuel vapors from escaping into the air.

• A small leak (like a cracked hose) can trigger the light.

• It may not affect drivability, but it can cause emissions failures.

How Serious Is It? Here’s a Quick Guide

Solid Light: Your car’s trying to tell you something. It’s not an emergency, but don’t wait too long.

Blinking Light: Stop driving and get it checked ASAP. This usually means a misfire or serious issue.

Not sure? Snap a photo and bring it by—we’ll figure it out fast.

How We Handle It at Gary Beardsley Automotive

We’re right here in Sandy, and we help drivers from Draper, Midvale, South Jordan, Murray, and Salt Lake City get to the bottom of their check engine light problems.

Our diagnostic tools read the error codes behind the light, and our experienced team explains what’s going on in plain English. No confusing jargon, no unnecessary repairs—just honest answers and practical solutions.

Check out our Auto Diagnostics or Engine Repair pages to learn more.

Customer Shoutout

"I stopped by after my check engine light came on out of nowhere. They got me in the same day, explained everything clearly, and had it fixed faster than expected. Super honest team—didn’t try to upsell me. Definitely coming back." — Jessica M., Draper

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It

• Fuel economy can suffer.

• Engine damage might follow.

• You could fail emissions testing.

• A small issue can turn into a major repair.

It’s a lot like ignoring a weird toothache—eventually, you’re dealing with a root canal. Get ahead of it.

Local Drivers: This Is for You

Whether you’re navigating Corner Canyon’s hills or crawling down 700 East in traffic, that check engine light won’t fix itself. But we can.

Check Engine Light FAQ

Can I still drive with the light on? Yes, if it’s solid. No, if it’s blinking. Either way, it should get checked soon.

Can I clear the code myself? You can, but it’s like silencing an alarm without fixing the problem. It’ll come back.

Will my car pass emissions with the check engine light on? Most likely not. In Utah, that light is usually an automatic fail.

Can cold weather trigger it? Yep. Cold temps can mess with sensors, gas caps, and batteries. Still, best to have it checked.

Let’s Make It Easy

Whether your check engine light is subtle or screaming for help, don’t wait. Call Gary Beardsley Automotive or book online today. We’ll sort it out, no drama required.