The Kia Forte check engine light is the most stressful of the gauge cluster’s various warning lights or idle indicator lights.
And if you own a Kia Forte, seeing that little orange or yellow symbol can be a major cause of concern.
In this blog, we’ll talk through the Kia Forte’s malfunction indicator lamp (MIL, aka the check engine light), the most common reasons why it might come on, and what it does.
Topic Summary
- What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
- Reasons for the Kia Forte Check Engine Light
- What To Do When Your Kia Forte Check Engine Light Comes On?
- How To Fix the Kia Forte Check Engine Light?
- Can I Drive with the Kia Check Engine Light On?
- FAQs on Why is My Kia Forte Check Engine Light on
- What Should I Do If My Kia Forte’s Check Engine Light Comes On?
- Is It Safe To Drive My Kia Forte with the Check Engine Light On?
- Can I Reset the Check Engine Light Myself?
- How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Check Engine Light Issue?
- What Are the Causes of a Check Engine Light To Come On for a Kia Forte?
- Conclusion
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
You might know this light as the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) or check engine light since it’s a part of your Kia Forte’s on board diagnostics system (OBD-II).
When your check engine light comes on, it means that the vehicle’s computer called the Powertrain Control Module, has detected a problem with one of the engine or emission control systems, which could be as simple as a loose gas cap or as serious as a faulty catalytic converter.
Reasons for the Kia Forte Check Engine Light
The reasons for the Kia Forte check engine light are given below:
Loose or Faulty Gas Cap
This is the most common reason why the check engine light might be on and one of the least serious.
The gas cap is designed to seal off the fuel system and maintain engine pressure, and if it’s not tight enough or if it’s cracked, the CEL might come on.
Oxygen Sensor Failure
The oxygen sensor in your Kia Forte measures how much oxygen is unburned in your exhaust and keeps just the right fuel mixture flowing.
If it malfunctions, the light may come on, reducing gas mileage and damaging the catalytic converter.
Catalytic Converter Issues
The catalytic converter helps to clean up exhaust gases by transforming gases like carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons into less harmful byproducts.
If you see the check engine light or poor engine performance and smell that rotten egg smell in the summer, there is a good chance the catalytic converter is going bad.
Check your engine codes and get it fixed. You might also be seeing excessive emissions.
Mass Airflow Sensor Problems
The mass airflow sensor measures exactly how much air is entering the combustion area so the computer can inject fuel accordingly.
If the sensor fails, the check engine light could come on, and you could get rough idling, weak acceleration, or stalling.
Spark Plug or Ignition Coil Issues
Spark plugs and ignition coils can both help your engine to fire up and keep running. Without them, the engine might misfire and trigger the check engine light. You may notice a drop in performance, as well as a drop in fuel economy.
What To Do When Your Kia Forte Check Engine Light Comes On?
When the engine light comes on, the first thing to do is check for things that are clearly wrong with the car, like a loose gas cap.
If the gas cap is loose, then tightening it can turn off your engine light after you’ve driven for a while.
Get a Diagnostic Scan
If the light remains on, have your Kia Forte scanned using an OBD-II diagnostic tool. Some auto parts stores scan your car for free, and nearly any mechanic can do it for you. That diagnostic code will provide a bit of information about the problem.
Don’t Ignore the Light
So just as you check the engine light on your car (your car might be fine, but that light can also signal something that, left untreated, could lead to a costly, unnecessary repair), it is inadvisable to leave molecules unchecked when they’re having an effect on physiology that includes ones we care about.
Seek Professional Help
However, if the diagnostic shows a severe problem or you are not sure of what to do, take your Kia Forte to a certified mechanic to figure out the problem and fix it correctly.
How To Fix the Kia Forte Check Engine Light?
Should your check engine light come on for your Kia Forte, here is how to fix it:
1. Check the Gas Cap
Make sure the gas cap is on. If you have a light on that says Check Engine, the gas cap was left off at the last fill-up, or it is damaged and is letting gas vapors escape.
Tighten the gas cap, then drive a few miles with the light on. It should go off fairly quickly if it doesn’t, go to the dealer.
The Check Engine light should be checked out right away. Also, it should be inspected immediately after replacing the fuel cap. Most likely, it will go off when driving a few miles.
2. Scan for Error Codes
Next, check the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that the OBD-II scanner has grabbed from the car’s brain. Typically, a four digit code starts with the letter P, indicating a powertrain problem. The auto parts store usually will scan for free.
3. Address the Specific Issue
Based on the code, address the problem:
- Replace faulty oxygen sensors.
- Clean or replace the mass airflow sensor.
- Replace spark plugs or ignition coils if they’re causing a misfire.
- Repair or replace the catalytic converter if it’s malfunctioning.
4. Reset the Light
With the problem resolved, reset the check engine light with the OBD-II scanner. If the light comes back on, you’ve got a new problem to investigate – take it to a certified mechanic.
If you take these steps as soon as possible, you will prevent much more serious problems and help your little Kia Forte keep going.
Can I Drive with the Kia Check Engine Light On?
Yes, you can drive with the check engine light on, as long as it is a solid light. Usually, if it is solid, it is something minor, such as the gas cap is loose, and you can go for a little while.
However, if it is solid and you believe it is a minor fix, get it resolved quickly so as not to cause any damage.
A flashing light indicates a serious failure, such as an engine misfire. That will cause serious damage to your engine or catalytic converter and should be addressed immediately.
Pull over to the side of the road and tow this vehicle to a mechanic for diagnosis and repair. Continuing to drive your car will result in more and more expensive repairs and could lead to dangerous driving conditions.
FAQs on Why is My Kia Forte Check Engine Light on
What Should I Do If My Kia Forte’s Check Engine Light Comes On?
If your Kia Forte check engine light comes on, the first thing to do is look for an obvious problem, such as a loose gas cap or low oil level. If the gas cap is tight, replace it, and the light will likely turn off after several minutes. If not, and the check engine light remains illuminated, then arrange a diagnostic scan with a mechanic, or you can purchase an OBD-II scanner and read the error code yourself. Then, decide if you’re comfortable addressing it yourself or if you’d prefer it to be handled by a professional mechanic.
Is It Safe To Drive My Kia Forte with the Check Engine Light On?
Depending on the situation is a difficult word to paraphrase nicely, and I can, unfortunately, empathize with how challenging the task can be. It depends on how bad of a situation it is. For example, if the engine does not ignite right, you MUST stop driving and tow somewhere with this mechanic now!
Can I Reset the Check Engine Light Myself?
Yes, using an OBD-II scanner, you can officially reset that check engine light. But let’s be clear: setting the check engine light with a scan tool won’t necessarily fix your problem. Let’s say your P0171 code is your problem above. You can reset the check engine light, and the next time you drive the car, you’ll trip that same issue yet again. The check engine light is the result of an issue, and you should address the cause of the issue before resetting your check engine light.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Check Engine Light Issue?
The ultimate cost depends on what triggered the warning. It could range from a free procedure, like tightening a gas cap, to something much pricier, like replacing an oxygen sensor or catalytic converter or paying for some alternative fuel repair. A diagnostic scan at a mechanic should spit out the exact figure.
What Are the Causes of a Check Engine Light To Come On for a Kia Forte?
The most common causes are a loose or damaged gas cap, a faulty oxygen sensor, problems with the catalytic converter, problems with the mass airflow sensor, and spark plugs or ignition coils failing. These components control how well the engine performs and manage carbon monoxide and other harmful emissions.
Conclusion
Perhaps much like the check engine light that appears on the dash of your Kia Forte to reveal that “something mildly, but not urgently, wrong under the hood requires your expert attention.”
Therefore, it becomes especially important to know what to do if your check engine light comes on.
Understanding what common issues cause the check engine light to activate and knowing how to react to the dashboard warning will enable you to save money and prevent your Kia Forte from needing an unnecessary trip to the mechanic.
If you have your check engine light on, get it checked out immediately because I want you to drive a healthy car.