Electronic injection is a crucial technology for the efficient operation of modern vehicles, as it improves performance and reduces fuel consumption.
When the injection light on the dash comes on, it’s a sign that something may be wrong with the system. That’s why it’s important to correct it as soon as possible.
Find out in this article what this light means, the most common problems with electronic fuel injection and tips for preventing faults.
What Is Electronic Car Injection?
Electronic injection is a system that controls the mixture of fuel and air in the engine, ensuring efficient combustion.
Unlike the old carburettors, electronic injection systems are controlled by an electronic control centre that automatically adjusts the fuel supply.
What Is Electronic Injection System For?
This system serves to precisely control the amount of fuel and air entering the engine, optimizing combustion.
It also allows automatic adjustments according to driving conditions, which results in better engine performance and less environmental impact.
How Does Electronic Injection Work?
Electronic injection controls the exact amount of fuel that is injected into the engine, allowing for more efficient and complete combustion. As a result, the vehicle makes better use of the fuel’s energy, improving performance and reducing consumption.
In addition, this precision helps to reduce the emission of polluting gases, which contributes to a more environmentally friendly and reliable operation of the engine.
What’s The Difference Between Carburetors And Electronic Injection?
The carburetor is a mechanical system that mixes air and fuel with manual actuators without much precision.
In electronic injection, sensors are responsible for dosing the amount of fuel to be injected, as well as controlling the air pressure.
Because it is more efficient, economical and less polluting, electronic fuel injection replaces carburettors in most modern vehicles.
What Are The Main Components Of The Electronic Injection System?
This system has a series of sensors, actuators and an electronic control center. The main components include:
- Fuel tank: where the fuel is stored;
- Fuel pump: responsible for pumping the fuel from the tank to the fuel injection system;
- Injection pump: meters and pressurises the fuel for injection;
- Fuel injectors: spray the fuel from the injection pump to the cylinders;
- Fuel filter: filters blockage particles from the injection system.
What Are The Different Types Of Injectors?
There are different types of electronic injection, the main ones being:
Single Point Injection
This is the simplest and oldest system, developed to replace carburetors.
It has one or two injector nozzles, which are located on the throttle body, for the engine’s air intake.
Compared to carburetors, this system offers better fuel control, is less expensive and easier to repair.
Multipoint Fuel Injection
In this system, each cylinder has its own injector nozzle positioned on the inlet port.
Among the main benefits of this system are greater precision in controlling the amount of fuel, an ideal mixture of fuel and air and the almost total elimination of condensation or accumulation of fuel in the intake manifold.
Sequential Fuel Injection
This system, also known as sequential or timing port injection, is an advanced type of multipoint injection.
Although the basic multipoint system uses multiple injectors, in this one the fuel is injected synchronously with the opening of the intake valves, keeping it on hold for up to 150 milliseconds when the engine is idling.
This sequence allows the system to respond quickly to sudden changes in acceleration, as the fuel is released at just the right moment, optimizing performance and efficiency.
Direct Injection System
It is very common in diesel engines. In its process, fuel is injected into the combustion chamber after passing through the valves.
In this system, fuel measurement is more precise than in other types of fuel injection.
Indirect Injection
In indirect injection engines, there is a main combustion chamber and a pre-chamber, which connects to the main one.
In this system, the fuel is only injected into the pre-chamber and not into the main combustion chamber.
What Are The Most Common Problems With The Electronic Injection System?
The most common problems with the electronic injection system include:
- Decreased engine performance;
- Difficulties starting the vehicle;
- Oil dilution or odours in the fuel;
- Engine having difficulty reaching full RPM.
These problems, as well as impacting on performance, increase fuel consumption.
What Does The Injection Light On The Dashboard Mean?
The ECU (Engine Control Unit) acts as the vehicle’s brain, managing all the components and ensuring that the injectors deliver and spray the fuel precisely, in the right quantity and at the right time, to guarantee the ideal mixture of air and fuel.
When the ECU detects an anomaly in the injectors’ performance, it triggers the light on the dashboard to alert the driver. When this light comes on, the engine’s performance tends to decrease.
To identify the exact cause, you can use an OBD2 scanner, which allows you to check whether the problem is in fact in the fuel injector.
Although the check light doesn’t automatically indicate a fault with the injector, it could be one of the causes
Can I Still Drive With The Injection Light On?
When the injection light comes on, it’s possible to continue driving in cases where the vehicle has no visible faults, such as loss of power. However, the ideal is to take the car to a mechanic, as ignoring the problem can make the situation worse.
In some cases, the light can be a warning of faults affecting the engine.
How Do You Diagnose Electronic Injection Problems?
The injection system is diagnosed by specialized mechanics using a scanner that connects to the ECU.
This equipment checks the sensor readings, identifies faults and makes corrections possible, such as remapping the electronic injection.
How To Remap An Electronic Injection?
Electronic injection remapping, also known as ECU reprogramming, is the process of adjusting the software settings that control the engine’s electronic injection system to optimize its performance.
This procedure can improve the engine’s efficiency, power and response, but it should be carried out by a professional, as improper reprogramming can damage the engine.
What Are The Tips For Preventing Problems With The Electronic Injection System?
To prevent problems with your car’s electronic injection system, you should:
- Carry out preventive maintenance on components such as spark plugs, filters and injector nozzles;
- Clean the system regularly;
- Consult a mechanic as soon as the electronic injection light comes on;
- Avoid driving with an empty tank, as this can clog up the system with impurities accumulated at the bottom of the tank.
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