Q: After engine replacement, Service Engine light on

asked by on August 23, 2016

Unfortunately, I had to have my car’s engine replaced. When I picked up my car, the service engine light was on, so I returned to the auto repair shop and they replaced the oxygen sensor. For a couple of days the light went off, but now it is on again and won’t go off. What needs to be done to fix this warning light problem?

Check Engine Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The malfunction indicator lamp illuminates at the sign of an error in a number of the vehicles systems. The trouble code must be read every time to see if the same or a new code has popped up, then the technician can follow through with the diagnosis. The issue may or may not be related to the engine swap. It is possible that you have a faulty control units, but this is uncommon. If you would like to have this scoped out, a certified pro from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to thoroughly diagnose the Check Engine Light and have this addressed appropriately.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

When should the airbag system be serviced?
The airbag system in your vehicle does not need routine maintenance. The system was designed to always be operational. To determine when the airbag system in your vehicle needs to be serviced. Looks for indications on the dashboard that there...
Second time on same wheel 4 or more of 6 lug nuts snapped off while driving
The problem may not be the hub or studs, but the rim (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-rims-work-and-why-they-matter). Look at the inside of the rim-centering hub to see if it has damage where it has not been seated properly or is unable to be seated....
Throttle body error codes. Car still accelerates.
The codes should have cleared when the battery was disconnected. I would suggest driving the car as normal for a bit to see if they come back on. Chances are if the car is running normally, they have been cleared...
Two instrument panel lights are not working - the fuel warning light and the seatbelt warning light.
If a sensor has failed for the seatbelt light, then the light will come on. If the low fuel warning light does not come on, it indicates that either the vehicle was not driven long enough to make the light...
What parts will I need for a timing chain replacement and how many of each. Is my engine interference or non interference?
Hello - your engine does use a timing chain, and that engine is not an interference (valve-to-piston) engine. However, having said that - if the chain breaks, especially at anything above an idle, the broken chain can jam the crankshaft...
Red lined engine by accident and now the engine idle is higher than normal. Smell something burning like rubber.
Hi there. The engine revving up higher than normal could be caused by the idle air control valve (IAC). The valve could have gotten stuck when the engine was throttled rapidly when first started. Check the IAC and see if...
hey i popped my tire and the wheel is pretty messed up how much you'll think it is to replace/fix
Hi there. It really depends on what type of wheel you have. If it's a steel wheel with a hub cap that covers it, the cost for the wheel and tire should range between $200 to $300 total. However, if...
98 buick runs perfect when first starting then begins to thunk when it gets warm.
If you are experiencing slow acceleration when the engine is under load, there are a variety of causes that would be considered. Fuel injectors can become clogged over time as the tiny passages become clogged. When an injector is clogged...
I had to jump start my car
Hi Luis. Thanks for contacting us today. When you need to jump-start your car it is because the battery does not have enough cranking amps to engage the starter. This can be due to a dead battery, or the alternator...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Rock Climber
If If you’re a rock climber, you want a vehicle that gets you where you need to go, even if the terrain gets rough. You may be living out of your vehicle at times, so you also want a rig...
How to Install a Camshaft
Over Over the years, engines (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-a-modern-engine-works) have evolved in so many ways. Most of the changes or improvements that have been done revolve around creating better performance and fuel economy, without making the engine larger. One of the biggest changes...
How to Do a Compression Test
A compression test diagnoses many engine problems. If a compression test is below the manufacturer's specifications, there's an internal engine issue.