In dire need of help!!

[Jjay19]

Hey Guys,

I am new to the forum, one of the main reasons I joined is because whenever I have a problem I refer to this forum.

I have a 2.0 Ibiza sport, I was driving home from Nottingham yesterday all was going fine, until I tried to restart the car coming out of Sedgemoor services (outside Bristol). An annoying orange light in the shape of an engine lit up, i read a few posts on forums using my iphone and many said it usually goes off if you turn off the engine for a few minutes, but the light was still on when I turned the engine on again.

I have been into a seat dealer this morning, and been charged £40 for them just to look at the car, and all they found out was that the problem is with the lambda probe. I'm not a mechanic and have limited knowldge in fixing things, but I really need this sorted as im driving back to Nottingham tomorrow night, but there are no garages open?!

What am I to do? Will it damage the car if I drive with this problem?

Any info would be great guys, or if there are any mechanics who can do it over the weekend in the Exeter area, you'd be paid well!

Cheers

 

[meltonlad]

driving to much with a faulty lambda sensor could also knacker your cat !! if you have got recovery cover then call them out you never know they may carry the sensor.

 

[Jjay19]

Thanks for your reply, I do have cover, but will they be able to fix it as the seat dealer told me that it could be an issue of an air leak, wiring or faulty sensor.

 

[meltonlad]

look at it this way .... you need to get home but if you drive it then it could fook your cat up (major cost to replace) so i would ring your breakdown company get then out and then they can be the judge if or if not you can drive it... but DONT tell them that you know what the fault is !!!!!!!! just say that you have got a warning light on. plus when they plug it into there computer ITS FREE !!!!!!!!!!

 

[ross p]

I wouldnt drive it as stated your cat can end up needing replaced, which can end up expensive!

If you have breakdown cover then use it, thats what its there for

 

[GlanzaV]

Doesn't the ECU just go into open loop mode constantly when getting incorrect/no signals from the lambda?

It will just be the same as if you're driving the car not up to temp, yes it will throw a bit more fuel in which can possibly damage the cat, but I reckon you'd need to be driving around for ages for that to happen...

 

[Jjay19]

The light came on yesterday and I have done about 40 miles since then (to get to Exeter) so i'm hoping i've not damaged the cat. I will get the AA out tomorrow to take a look and see what they can do.

 

[Scott-o]

Im agreed with glanzav, itl just use more fuel, i wouldnt worry about it too much matey and its not a massive or costly job so just get it done when you can id say!

 

[meltonlad]

did you call out the aa/rac ?? if so what did they say/do ?

 

[Jjay19]

Hey Guys,

Sorry about the delay, I managed to get it to a garage (one I have used for years) and they have told me this morning they are unable to carry out any tests because the car is fitted with a K&N induction kit, so now I am having to look for another garage which is a nightmare, I assume the aa/rac wouldn't be able to do anything as well due to the induction kit?!

Apparently its the number one sensor, although the car isnt definite!

 

[st10587]

Hey Guys,

Sorry about the delay, I managed to get it to a garage (one I have used for years) and they have told me this morning they are unable to carry out any tests because the car is fitted with a K&N induction kit, so now I am having to look for another garage which is a nightmare, I assume the aa/rac wouldn't be able to do anything as well due to the induction kit?!

Apparently its the number one sensor, although the car isnt definite!

I think your garage has spun you some BS there. Having the induction kit on should not affect them diagnosing a lambda fault

 

[Jjay19]

Ok, well I got a new sensor fitted and the light has gone out so hopefully all is fixed!

 

[knight85]

nice one! why did the garage say they couldnt touch it because of the Air Filter...thats rubbish!

 

[Jjay19]

nice one! why did the garage say they couldnt touch it because of the Air Filter...thats rubbish!

Supposedly they couldn't accurately measure the air flow through the system because it was a K&N induction kit, as opposed to the standard one

 

[RUM4MO]

Supposedly they couldn't accurately measure the air flow through the system because it was a K&N induction kit, as opposed to the standard one

I'd reckon that that was due to lack of knowledge or fear of the unknown - if a "bank 1 sensor 1" fault code was logged then it does not really matter what bells and/or whistles the car has on it - its still a faulty control sensor.