View Full Version : Engine management light - aargh
The little orange light with a picture of an engine on it came on last week, so off I went on the 45-minute drive to my friendly dealer to get them to look at it. The computer apparently said "something went wrong at some point" but that was all, so they cancelled the idiot light and sent me on my way.
4 days later, it's come on again! Everything seems to be running OK, and I wasn't driving hard when it happened. All 4 cylinders are firing, so it can't be the coils. I'm sure the ever-helpful dealer would happily do the same again, but I can't afford to spend up to 2 hours during working time going to the garage if it's going to happen every week. (Being in Oxford, I have to go to one of the neighbouring counties for a Seat garage.)
Any suggestions? Anyone tried asking a VW dealer to plug their kit into a Seat? There's one of them in town, and presumably it's essentially the same computer. Or is there any way of clearing the error using the magic hidden functionality of the c/c unit? Perhaps I should just put some sticky tape over the light so I don't see it.
LEO LION R
17-07-2003, 13:53
I can almost remeber something like this being discussed last year, on older models there was a chance of this happening with a dodgy wire or collar with the steering wheel that caused it.
This could be it, or i could be totally wrong - again :(
Good luck
:cheers:
...bit of a cop out by the sounds of things.
My EML came on a few weeks after I got the car, garage said an intermittent air pump fault had been recorded so they replaced the relay and cleaned up the connections.
No problems thus far.
The error codes must have suggested something needed attention...
A
I had the same just over a month ago, the fault was logged as a knock sensor and tank breather system fault, every couple of weeks it would come on, once sitting at traffic lights! It turned out that I had a slight misfire on at 1200rpm on one of the cylinders, coilpack was at fault. I didn't even notice the misfire either, so you may have the same issue. It's been fine since by the way!
Hi guys,
I have the engine managment system gage on, and I wondered if there is any way I can reset the ECU myself ?
Any suggestions ?
Thanks,
Itay.
:jog:
Remove the + connector cable that connects to the battery and leave off or ten mins. Re-connect and turn your ignition lights on for 5/10 mins, you know the lights i mean the ones just before the car fires up. After 5/10mins start car and the lights should have gone. My engine light came on it was the maf, but you need vag com or similar to be sure.
castlehill
19-07-2003, 12:45
My Scooby used to do this it, it turned out to be faulty knock sensor.
Thanks for the advice folks. The nice people in Newbury were happy to order some bits for me (a divert valve servo I think? and another air-related thingy) so I'll let you know what happens. Sounds like they're not 100% sure what the problem is yet, but they're prepared to have a go and it's under warranty so I'm happy for now.
I might of got it first time, if its air releated, they might mean the (maf) mass air flow meter.:D . Theres a first.
mark sheerin
11-08-2003, 08:02
Right then....My Management light came on today..
been having a minor murmur at tick over for about a month...
Driving to work this morning at 6am and it was misty...
not gunning it due to visibility and the light came on about 2 miles
before work.
The engine seemed to be operating fine..
I don't want to drive the car again before I have it diagnosed in case its a major fault..which I doubt so I think I will get the attention of the AA through the 0500222222 number.
The last time I had a problem they had a lap top on board with VAG.COM..although they couldn't use it then as all dashborad power had failed so the serial port was dead.
I may try a reset myself this morning and see if that puts the light out..will then watch for its reappearance...
really can't be bothered with the hassle today..
LEO LION R
11-08-2003, 08:12
yeah, i know what you mean, but no day is a good day for that sort of hassle and time.
BTW not all AA vans have the laptops yet, the one that came out to me 2 weeks ago for the emission light didn't and all he could do was say drive it to the dealers myself, if it isn't misfiring then it'll be fine and they cant tow you there unless there is a missfire or something more sinister than an amber light :(
cr4p init ?
:cheers:
mark sheerin
11-08-2003, 08:29
Surely you can't be made to drive your car if you have an engine warning light on..
I don't feel happy about driving it home tonight like that.
I'll try a reset and see it it comes on again...
It may have been the damp this morning..something still needs sorting though...
maybe they didn't replace all my coilpacks when it originally failed..they put four on the work sheet though:confused:
LEO LION R
11-08-2003, 08:36
exactly, but if its an amber light and they cant fix it and is driveable then they are not able to tow it anywhere.
I had a conversation with my dealer about the coil packs, he says even the new ones havent fixed the problem, maybe not as many of them failing but they do still fail :(
Good luck getting it sorted.
I've just had good news this morning, mine should be back on the road in 2 days as the parts have all arrived now - including a special tool required for the R ?
:cheers:
Well, Huzzey's in Newbury replaced the dump valve and the secondary air valve last Thursday, and I got them to do an oil change service too. So far the light has stayed off, and I did a few miles over the weekend. It also seems less hesitant when cold (not that it gets very cold at the moment), and my current tank of Optimax is taking me further than ever before - 300 miles up and still 1/4 tank to go! So I'm pleased at the moment - we'll see if it stays off over the next week or two. Please with Huzzey's too - they're always very helpful.
Shame I didn't check exactly what they were going to do before hand - perhaps I could have asked them to fit a Forge DV instead of the standard one. Maybe next time - from what I've read on here it's likely to happen again!