Check engine light on: Codes, Causes & Fixes
A steady check engine light means the engine computer has stored a fault that affects emissions or engine management. In most cases you can keep driving normally for now, but have the code read soon – many auto parts stores and any OBD-II scanner can do this. If the light came on right after refueling, check that the gas cap is tight; loose caps are a classic trigger for EVAP codes.
558Codes
2.7Average severity
12%High or critical
18%DIY-friendly
Severity distribution
Most viewed
P0135
Powertrain
The heater inside the upstream oxygen sensor on bank 1 isn't working or its circuit is faulty.
Low
P0174
Powertrain
The cylinder bank without cylinder 1 is running lean even with the maximum fuel correction…
Moderate
P0300
Powertrain
The engine computer sees misfires that jump between cylinders or hit several cylinders at once.
High
P0420
Powertrain
The bank 1 catalytic converter no longer stores enough oxygen to clean the exhaust properly.
Low
P0430
Powertrain
The bank 2 converter on a V6, V8 or split-exhaust engine isn't cleaning the exhaust well enough.
Low
P0101
Powertrain
The MAF sensor's airflow reading doesn't match what the engine computer expects…
Low
All codes (331)
P0234
Powertrain
Boost rose above the safe limit the engine computer allows, so it may cut power to protect…
High
P0235
Powertrain
The engine computer found an electrical fault in the boost pressure sensor's wiring…
Moderate
P0236
Powertrain
The boost sensor's signal is electrically OK, but its readings don't make sense compared…
Moderate
P0237
Powertrain
The boost sensor signal has dropped near zero volts, reading less pressure than the atmosphere…
Moderate
P0238
Powertrain
The boost sensor signal is stuck near 5 volts, so the computer sees impossibly high boost…
Moderate
P0243
Powertrain
The engine computer found a fault in the electrical circuit of the solenoid that controls…
Moderate
P0263
Powertrain
Cylinder 1 is producing noticeably more or less power than the others, beyond what fuel trim…
Moderate
P0266
Powertrain
The engine computer can't even out cylinder 2 with fuel corrections; its balance rate is past…
Moderate
P0269
Powertrain
Cylinder 3 isn't pulling its weight, or is pulling too hard, and the fuel correction for it…
Moderate
P0272
Powertrain
The ECU can't balance cylinder 4 against the rest anymore; its fuel correction is outside…
Moderate
P0275
Powertrain
The fuel correction for cylinder 5 is past its limit. Only engines with five or more cylinders…
Moderate
P0299
Powertrain
The turbo or supercharger isn't building the boost pressure the engine computer is asking for.
Moderate
P0300
Powertrain
The engine computer sees misfires that jump between cylinders or hit several cylinders at once.
High
P0301
Powertrain
Cylinder 1 is repeatedly failing to fire. The cause is almost always its coil, plug, injector…
Moderate
P0302
Powertrain
Cylinder 2 keeps misfiring. On inline engines it's a middle cylinder, so rule out coolant…
Moderate
P0303
Powertrain
Cylinder 3 is misfiring. Check whether it misses at idle or under load before you blame…
Moderate
P0304
Powertrain
Cylinder 4 is misfiring. Its end or rear position makes water, oil and intake leaks common…
Moderate
P0305
Powertrain
Cylinder 5 is misfiring. First job: work out which bank it sits on, because that decides what…
Moderate
P0306
Powertrain
Cylinder 6 is misfiring. On an inline-six it's the hot rear cylinder; on GM and Hemi V8s it can…
Moderate
P0307
Powertrain
Cylinder 7 is misfiring. On GM and Hemi V8s it's a cylinder-deactivation cylinder, so check…
Moderate
P0308
Powertrain
Cylinder 8 is misfiring. It's a rear V8 cylinder against the firewall, so its plug is often…
Moderate
P0320
Powertrain
The computer lost the engine speed (rpm) signal. The engine can stall suddenly or refuse…
High
P0321
Powertrain
The rpm signal is there but erratic: extra or missing pulses the computer can't trust. Expect…
Moderate
P0335
Powertrain
The engine computer lost the crankshaft position signal. Expect stalling or a crank-no-start.
High
P0336
Powertrain
Crank signal present but implausible: damaged teeth, a slipped balancer ring or debris confuse…
Moderate
P0337
Powertrain
The crank sensor signal line is stuck near 0 volts, usually a wire shorted to ground. Often…
High
P0338
Powertrain
The crank signal line sits at 5 or 12 volts and stops switching: open ground, open wire…
High
P0339
Powertrain
The crank signal drops out for moments at a time. Classic sign: stalls when hot, restarts once…
High
P0340
Powertrain
The computer lost the camshaft signal on bank 1. Expect long cranking, less power…
Moderate
P0341
Powertrain
The bank 1 cam signal lands at the wrong crank angle, often from a stretched chain or a sticky…
Moderate