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The check engine light is an important warning light on your dashboard. It illuminates in response to a problem that affects engine performance. Sensors are connected to important components in your car, and they warn the computer of any issue they detect. The computer then activates the light. Why is your check engine light on? Blocked Catalytic Converter The catalytic converter is a vital part for the exhaust system. As time passes, a buildup can happen in the catalytic converter. Some reasons for a clogged catalytic converter can be unburned fuel or wear and tear. Sensors will help identify these issues, and the engine light can come on. We can see if there is a blockage that needs to get cleared so that your vehicle’s engine can work efficiently again. more Worn Spark Plugs The spark plugs help to ignite the fuel for your car. As your vehicle runs over time, spark plugs will wear out and can be damaged by other issues as well. Damaged plugs won't correctly ignite the mixture of fuel and air, causing wasted fuel and can also cause misfires or stalling of your vehicle's engine. Continued misfiring or stalling can damage the car. Our technicians will examine the spark plugs and replace any that are damaged. We use genuine OEM Kia parts so you can get assurance if your Kia needs a spark plug replacement. Damaged Oxygen Sensor How do you know if the oxygen sensor in your Kia is failing? Oxygen sensors monitor the amount of air for the exhaust system. This information then gets processed and adjustments get made to the mixture of air and fuel if it's necessary. Some of the signs that you might have a faulty oxygen sensor in addition to the check engine light can be engine misfiring, rough idling, and vehicle stalling. You may also notice the fuel economy of your car change. Check Engine Light On? Visit Your Kia Dealership in Temple Hills, MD Today If your engine light comes on, contact us right away at DARCARS Kia of Temple Hills. We have state-of-the-art tools and OEM parts to help fix your Kia and get it back on the road. Be sure to check out the many other services that we offer by clicking over to our Kia Service Department. From Kia oil changes to Kia tire replacements and transmission repair, we have a selection of services for all types of needs.

One moment you're driving peacefully, and the next, your car starts to jerk and vibrate. Popping or backfiring noises are coming from your exhaust. Your car may be experiencing engine misfiring. There are several different causes for this strange behavior, and all of them mean you need a Kia auto repair. As your Kia dealer in Temple Hills, MD, we can fix the problem for you. 3 Signs of Engine Misfiring That Mean You Need Auto Repair Air/Fuel Problems One of the main reasons for misfiring is a dirty air filter. The air filter is responsible for trapping dirt and other debris and preventing it from entering your engine. Over time, this filter will get clogged with dirt, which will severely restrict the amount of air reaching your engine. Your engine requires enormous amounts of air for combustion to occur, and without air, problems will develop. more A lack of air in the combustion chamber means that the air/fuel mix will be wrong. There will be too much fuel, which means much of the fuel will be wasted. This wasted fuel is dumped out of the engine into the exhaust. Some of the unburnt fuel will touch the hot exhaust on the way out, and this will cause popping or backfiring. The unburnt fuel will also coat the spark plugs in carbon which will cause them to misfire. Electrical Problems Your engine is monitored and controlled by the Power-train Control Module (PCM). This is one of several computers in your car, and it's responsible for your engine and transmission. A host of sensors are connected to the PCM to monitor all the essential components in your engine and transmission. These sensors and the PCM all depend on power supplied to them by your alternator. The PCM is also responsible for spark timing and fuel delivery. This system is very complex and depends on numerous wire connections and circuits. A failure in one or more of these circuits, for example, the timing of the spark plugs, or the amount of fuel transferred to the combustion chamber, can easily cause a misfire. Our technicians can test for electrical problems or damaged wiring and repair the problem. Mechanical Problems Wear and tear on engine components can also cause misfiring. One of the most common causes of this is a problem with one of the cylinders. When combustion takes place, each cylinder goes through a four-step movement. The top of the cylinder must close tightly, and the piston rises to compress the air/fuel mix. If a mechanical failure prevents the top of a cylinder from closing completely, this will reduce the compression in that cylinder. This lack of compression will cause a misfire. A cylinder misfire can also cause a cylinder full of hot fuel to be dumped into the catalytic converter and cause serious damage to the converter. Get a Professional Car Engine Inspection at Our Service Center If you experience misfiring, call us at DARCARS Kia of Temple Hills and we'll repair the problem. You can also book your appointment online, where you can easily choose a time to come see the certified Kia service experts at our dealership.