Here's Why Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On In Your Audi A5

Here's Why Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On In Your Audi A5 Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Check Engine Light (CEL) is what the on-board diagnostic system of a car relies on to alert the driver about the problem it detects within the system. Lit-up MIL has all sorts of reasons and could mean anything from an issue as minor as a loose gas cap to a serious problem with your car's engine.

Another important thing that needs to be highlighted in this article is- the stages of MIL. If the light is steady, the computer tries to tell you that something is wrong with the system, but it is not that big of a deal. However, if the light is flashing, it is often indicative of a serious technical issue that requires immediate attention.

It has also been found that, occasionally, MIL comes on for no particular reason.

Anyway, if your Audi A5’s MIL is illuminating, you need to visit a nearby car service center to diagnose the problem and get the light turned off. And, if you’re not sure what’s causing your Audi A5 MIL to come on, read on to see what might be going on with your engine and other parts of the powertrain.

Audi A5 malfunction indicator lamp is on- 5 possible reasons Issues with the gas cap An illuminated MIL usually means your Audi A5 gas cap is not firmly fixed in place or has some technical flaws. It’s not a serious issue that is worth prioritizing. But, having a defective or loose gas cap may adversely affect your vehicle’s fuel consumption rate.

It is also worth mentioning that, the gas cap is a vital part of your car's evaporative emissions control system and is designed to prevent unwanted loss of fuel vapor from the gas tank. If it goes bad, your Audi A5 might fail an emission check.

Failing MAF sensor Having a malfunctioning mass airflow or MAF sensor can also cause your Audi A5 MIL to come on. To perform efficiently, your car engine requires a proportionate air-tofuel ratio. For a gasoline engine that ratio is approximately 15:1. MAF sensor along with other types of sensors and the engine management computer works together to make certain that the engine is getting a proportionate amount of air-fuel mixture.

A failing MAF sensor might provide inaccurate data- that may hinder the ECU's ability to keep the air-fuel ratio within the engine stable. It would make the engine run rough which would ultimately prompt the onboard computer to set off the MIL.

Worn spark plugs Of all the problems that can set off the check engine light in your Audi A5- defective spark plugs rank number one. Normal wear and tear can make your Audi A5 spark plugs fire improperly.

Irregular spark plug firing can give rise to all sorts of drivability problems in your car including engine misfire. When the onboard diagnostic system finds out that your car engine is running rough, it would trigger the MIL to alert the driver about the issue.

Broken fuel injectors Leaking fuel injectors can also set off MIL in your Audi A5. Fuel injectors are electronically controlled nozzles employed to spray atomized fuel into the individual cylinders in a specific pattern.

Worn-out fuel injectors might not be able to keep up with the fuel demand of the engine, resulting in all sorts of engine performance-related issues like stalling, misfire, and rough idle. Illuminated MIL on the dash of your Audi A5 is one of the common signs of a potential fuel injector problem.

Exhaust system problems Another common cause of MIL illumination in a car is- a malfunctioning exhaust system. The exhaust system is what removes engine emissions away from the vehicle. It is a complex system made up of several components like- exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, muffler, and resonator.

Besides, it also houses a set of oxygen sensors- that helps the ECU to keep the vehicular emissions in check. Technical flaws with any of these components can set off the MIL in your Audi A5.

Wrapping up Generally speaking, a lit-up malfunction indicator lamp on the dash of your Audi A5 could be one of many things going on with its engine. Sometimes, the cause is temporary and not a major problem to be worried about. But, oftentimes, it might be more serious, like engine misfiring. To diagnose and fix the problem, call an ASEcertified mechanic without delay.