Check engine light on: understand and fix it by brand

When the orange check engine light appears on your vehicle's dashboard, it can be a source of stress. Whether you drive a Renault, Citroën, Peugeot, or Volkswagen, this warning indicates a malfunction that should not be ignored.

The check engine light is often linked to issues with the engine, exhaust system, or emissions. Here is a detailed guide on the possible causes and solutions for each brand.

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    Check engine light meaning by brand

    Renault: "Check Injection and Emissions" warning light

    On Renault vehicles such as the Clio, Mégane, Captur, or Scénic, the check engine light typically turns on due to issues with the exhaust system or engine management. The most common causes include injection and emissions control issues:

    • Clogged EGR valve, especially on diesel models
    • Faulty oxygen sensor (lambda sensor), affecting air-fuel mixture management
    • Dirty or faulty fuel injectors, leading to improper combustion
    • Issue with the air pressure sensor, impacting engine performance

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    Citroën: "Engine fault: repair needed" message

    Citroën models like the C3, C4, C5, or Berlingo may display the check engine light along with the "engine fault" message for several reasons. Here are the most common:

    • Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF), especially in city-driven diesel models
    • Faulty catalytic converter, responsible for reducing polluting emissions
    • Turbocharger issues, affecting overall engine performance
    • Defective sensors in the engine management system, leading to improper combustion

    Peugeot: "Emission control system failure" on C4, 207, 308, etc. – what does this mean?

    On Peugeot models such as the 208, 308, 508, or 3008, the appearance of the check engine light is often related to malfunctions in the emissions control and engine management system:

    • Clogged EGR valve, leading to reduced engine performance
    • Faulty injectors, causing inefficient fuel combustion
    • DPF malfunction, particularly in diesel models after frequent short trips
    • Oxygen sensor (lambda sensor) failure, affecting emission levels

    Volkswagen: EPC light – the check engine warning for VW

    Volkswagen vehicles such as the Golf, Passat, Tiguan, or Polo may see their EPC warning light turn on for various reasons:

    • Faulty catalytic converter, leading to increased emissions
    • Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF), reducing emission system efficiency
    • Defective air intake sensors or mass airflow sensor, affecting engine performance

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