Having a Muffler delete on your car will likely trigger the engine light, especially a newer model car. However, the engine lights will not come on for a resonator delete unless the modification significantly affects the exhaust system. Although, the check engine light can be corrected with OBD2 devices. 

In a newer muffler of any car brand, a muffler delete will cause the engine light to trigger but not necessarily trigger a trouble code. This is because the muffler delete causes major changes to the exhaust system, ultimately triggering the engine light. 

For the resonator delete, not all would trigger the engine light, and this is because many resonator delete does not have dire consequences on the exhaust system. If the resonator delete removes the active exhaust valve, the engine light will come on.

The OBD2 device serves as a tool that can easily clear engine light triggers caused by exhaust modification. Check out this very user-friendly OBD2 Diagnostic Tool from Amazon, it does help to clear “codes”.

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Does Muffler Delete Trigger The Engine Light?

Yes, a muffler delete will most likely trigger the engine light of a newer model vehicle; this is because the muffler delete has a significant effect on the car’s exhaust system.  

The muffler delete is a process that involves the removal of the muffler from the exhaust system, the muffler is then replaced with a muffler delete pipe, and then the exhaust tip is welded. As a result of the muffler removal, the exhaust flow of the car is enhanced significantly. 

The exhaust system in the car is an important part of the car, and any significant change or problem that happens to it could trigger the engine light. An issue like a lick in the exhaust pipe can trigger the sensor monitors, and this is because the engine is not receiving the right amount of oxygen it is supposed to receive. 

We know that the exhaust system’s problems can trigger the engine light, but it is also applicable to muffler delete. Muffler delete can bring a major change to the exhaust system, easily triggering the engine light. 

When the muffler is removed, there is a change in the level of exhaust flow when it triggers the sensor monitor, which will signify to the owner that there is a change in the engine system through the engine light.

Does Muffler Delete Throw Code?

Having a muffler delete done on a car may trigger a throw code depending on the model of the car you are having the modification done. This is because muffler delete will affect the exhaust flow of the vehicle. 

For newer models of cars, a muffler delete may cause a throw code. The modification changes the vehicle’s exhaust flow level and may trigger one of the sensors located in the exhaust system. 

For older models of cars, a muffler delete will not throw code in older models and may further not trigger engine lights.  

Are There Sensors In A Muffler?

There are no sensors in a muffler, although, in recent cars, sensors can be found just before the mufflers but not directly on the mufflers. 

Most modern models of cars come with a sensor for their exhaust system, the major type of sensor used for an exhaust system is the O2 or oxygen sensor. These sensors help monitor and measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases. 

For the engine to function properly, it needs to mix oxygen and fuel properly; the oxygen sensor helps the engine measure the appropriate oxygen that will be mixed with fuel. The oxygen sensor also allows the vehicle to enhance fuel economy. It makes sure the engine does not consume excess fuel than usual by monitoring the mixture of oxygen with fuel. 

The amount of sensor and where the sensor will be placed in the exhaust system depends on the car’s engine. More contemporary models of cars usually come with two oxygen sensors, and they are located in the exhaust manifold and closer to the muffler but not directly in the muffler. 

Cars with bigger engines with two exhaust pipes will require up to 4 oxygen sensors. The two sensors are usually called the upstream and downstream sensors. 

Although an O2 sensor can be found close to the muffler, they are not directly in the muffler but will pick up any significant change that happens to the muffler that may affect the engine system. 

Will A Resonator Delete Cause Check Engine Light?

A resonator delete will not trigger the check engine light unless other significant exhaust changes are done with it. This is because the resonator is just a sound tuning device and does not bring significant changes to the exhaust system when removed.  

The resonator delete is an upgrade that does not cause a major change in the exhaust system; it does not affect the check engine light. The upgrade helps change the movement of pulses created by the car’s movement through the exhaust system. 

Removing the resonator helps your car optimise the pulses created in the vehicle and increases power production. The resonator delete is seen as a tuning system and is a great way to improve your car’s sound but does not affect the airflow. 

Although, when doing a resonator delete, people may also cut out an active part of the exhaust system, like the exhaust valve. Doing this will trigger the check light of the vehicle. 

Also, depending on the model of the car and the type of exhaust system that your vehicle may be using, resonator delete may cause back-pressure changes which could trigger the check engine light. The resonator is located between the muffler and catalytic converter and the muffler. If the resonator delete is not done properly, it could affect the catalytic converter, triggering the engine light. 

RELATED ARTICLE: Muffler Delete Vs Straight Pipe: Horsepower, Mileage & Damages

Will A Resonator Delete Throw A Code? 

In many cases, a resonator delete does not throw a code, but in some rare cases, when the delete affects the catalytic converter, it will throw code. 

The resonator delete does not significantly affect the exhaust system, and it mainly affects the car’s sound. However, due to the location of the resonator delete, which is close to the catalytic converter, removal of the resonator could affect the catalytic converter, especially when the removal of the resonator is not done properly.  

Also, doing a resonator delete may change the back-pressure of the exhaust system when it may trigger the oxygen sensors and hence trigger warning codes. 

Will Removing Resonators Affect Emission? 

Having a resonator delete done on your vehicle will not affect the emission; this is because the resonator only helps improve the vehicle’s sound and does not have anything to do with the vehicle’s emission. 

The resonator is a tool in the exhaust system that helps with the car sound. It gives the car the desired sound that you hear from the car. When the resonator is removed, it only affects the car’s sound and does not further affect its emission. 

With a resonator delete on your car, you can easily pass an emission test. 

Will Muffler Delete Affect Emission? 

A muffler delete will not affect the emission of any vehicle, and this is because removing a muffler does not affect any smog equipment in the car.  

The muffler acts as a silencer for the vehicle. The exhaust gases from the car pass through the muffler from the combustion system, and the muffler helps reduce the noise that the passing gases may cause. It also reduces vibration caused by the exhaust flow. 

Removing the muffler is very easy and only requires the removal of the mufflers. The muffler is located at the tip of the exhaust pipes. The removal will affect any other part of the exhaust system but may also increase the airflow of the exhaust system. 

Exhaust Problems That Will Trigger The Engine Light 

Many check engine lights are not always triggered by the upgrade done to the exhaust system. Some are because of problems that may have occurred due to a bad exhaust system or bad installation or removal of various exhaust parts. 

You must know the various exhaust problems that can trigger the check engine. Here are some of the major problems in the exhaust system that can trigger the check engine light. 

Bad Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter is an important aspect of the exhaust system, and it helps turn hazardous gases into less harmful gas or emission. A catalytic converter comprises rare materials, making it quite expensive to replace.  

A bad catalytic converter will trigger the O2 sensors present in it, resulting in an activated engine light. A faulty catalytic converter is a problem that does not frequently occur except there is an initial problem with the exhaust system that further damages the catalytic converter or in the process of removing or replacing anything part of the exhaust system, the converter is then damaged in the process.  

A damaged catalytic converter has the following symptoms on a vehicle: 

• Slow engine performance 
• Dark exhaust emission 
• A strong sulphur smell from the exhaust 
• Decreased acceleration 
• Increased heat at the under the car 

Once you start noticing these symptoms in your car, it is most likely a bad catalytic converter. 

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Exhaust Leak 

A leaking exhaust is a common exhaust problem that could trigger the engine lights of a vehicle. It may be caused by many factors such as rust, issues that occur from bad repair or replacement of exhaust parts, cracks from exhaust parts hitting objects while driving. 

The like in an exhaust system can easily trigger the oxygen sensors, and this is because your engine will be experiencing a huge difference in the exhaust flow than it used to have. Every vehicle has to have a particular level of exhaust flow. Once the vehicle can no longer reach this level, it could affect the vehicle’s performance in general and trigger the sensors. 

Also, a leaking exhaust will increase the number of hazardous fumes that the car releases into the air. This means with a leaking exhaust, and your car will not be able to pass the emission test. 

A leaking exhaust is one problem that should not be managed. It can damage many other parts of the exhaust system and make the engine slow down and slow down the other part of the car’s performance. 

Some other factors can trigger the engine light, which might not necessarily be related to the exhaust system; some of those factors include the following: 

Bad Gas Cap

The gas cap is an underestimated piece of the car that people believe can not affect the vehicle or trigger an engine light. This is not true. The gas cap has the function of preventing the fuel from splashing out of the vehicle; however, it performs more than this function. In many cars, fuel splashing out of the vehicle is highly unlikely. 

The gas cap has more functions than you think, which is why it can easily trigger the engine light. It prevents dust and dirt from entering the fuel tank, harming the engine system. Also, the gas cap creates a form of vacuum seal for the tank, which is responsible for the hissing sound whenever you open the cap. Your engine can get fuel vapor and use it with the cap because the gas cap secures it. 

Your gas cap takes part in an active role in the car, and once it gets damaged, it will trigger the check engine light. 

Damaged Mass Air Flow Sensor

The Mass Air Flow sensor is used to track the level of air that moves through the intake pipe and also measures the level of air that will be appropriate to be mixed with fuel so that the engine runs smoothly. 

The sensor is located right between the intake manifold and the air filter. The sensor will trigger the engine light once the airflow into the intake has exceeded the required level or goes below the required level the engine needs to run. 

Having this knowledge, you can see that it might not necessarily be the exhaust upgrade that might trigger the engine light. Other factors could also trigger the light. It is important that when having an exhaust upgrade, you give a professional will have it done without damaging other important parts of the exhaust system that may trigger the check engine light.   

RELATED ARTICLE: Exhaust Vs. Muffler In Detail: Horsepower, Sound & Cost

Final Thoughts 

Having a muffler and resonator delete done to a car is a big deal and, if not done properly, may affect other parts of the exhaust system. This is why care has to be taken when performing this modification.