Diagnosis/Excess of pollution light on

[DPJ]

Cheers for the quick reply Dave, and thanks for the offer to reset the errors, that's much appreciated !, but i think that the lights are only going to come back on until whatever the problem is gets nuked.

So, say i was to clean the MAF, or get someone who knows how to, and put it back on the car. If that had solved the problem then will the dash-light reset itself automatically after a few restarts ? i.e. i won't have to go back to the garage to get them to reset the light ?

Best Regards,
Andy

Yes, if the problem no longer exists, the CEL (Check engine Light) will go out after a couple of restarts. The fault code will still be there until it's cleared. It's worth getting it cleared because you can then differentiate between old and new errors.

PM me if you need me to reset for you - or whatever.

 

[andy15star]

Cheers Dave, that's really kind of you. I'll bear that in mind.

I think (correct me if i'm wrong!) the best way of going about this is:

1) Take it to garage
2) Ask them to clean the MAF for me (restart car a few times to see if it fixes it)
3) If dash-light still stays on then get them to change the MAF (ask them to exchange my MAF for a reconditioned one, and get it cheaper - will a SEAT dealer do that/have them in stock ?)
4) If problem still there (God forbid!) then i either ignore the dash-light and run the risk of more problems cropping up and being masked by the already-on orange light !! OR, get them to do the Lambda Probe now !!

Does that all sound sensible ??

ALTERNATIVELY : Buy myself the cable and shareware version of VAG software and keep a check on the codes. If it's only ever the same 3 codes then do nothing at all !! - they're not serious problems anyway. But keep a check each week or so to make sure any more errors don't come up.

Bloody expensive stuff this lark !!

Regards,
Andy

 

[DPJ]

Cheers Dave, that's really kind of you. I'll bear that in mind.

I think (correct me if i'm wrong!) the best way of going about this is:

1) Take it to garage
2) Ask them to clean the MAF for me (restart car a few times to see if it fixes it)
3) If dash-light still stays on then get them to change the MAF (ask them to exchange my MAF for a reconditioned one, and get it cheaper - will a SEAT dealer do that/have them in stock ?)
4) If problem still there (God forbid!) then i either ignore the dash-light and run the risk of more problems cropping up and being masked by the already-on orange light !! OR, get them to do the Lambda Probe now !!

Does that all sound sensible ??

ALTERNATIVELY : Buy myself the cable and shareware version of VAG software and keep a check on the codes. If it's only ever the same 3 codes then do nothing at all !! - they're not serious problems anyway. But keep a check each week or so to make sure any more errors don't come up.

Bloody expensive stuff this lark !!

Regards,
Andy

I don't think you'll find a garage that will clean your MAF.

Yes, you need to do something, running lean long term is not good for your engine, cat etc.

 

[andy15star]

Ah, right. So is the general consensus to get the MAF checked out first BEFORE the garage replaced the Lambda Probe ??. Will a SEAT dealer be able to check the MAF out to make sure whether or not it's that before going onto anything else ?

Regards,
Andrew

 

[andy15star]

Just a further point i forgot to mention in my last post. I am probably going to get the VAG cable anyway. I see lots on ebay, some say OBD 2 II, or KKL etc !! - which one would work for my Cupra 52 reg ??

I'm looking at ebay item http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=220233116414&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=012

or http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=310046928499&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=021

Which one of these will work ??

Best Regards,
Andrew

 

[andy15star]

Hello again,

Well i've kinda decided to buy the VAG cable/software and keep a check on those errors. If you remember from earlier on in my post that i was getting these 3 error readings:

16486 P0102 035
MASS AIR FLOW (MAF) SENSOR -G70-
SIGNAL TOO LOW
SPORADIC

17544 P1136 035
LONG TERM FUEL TRIM ADD. FUEL, BANK1
SYSTEM TOO LEAN

16891 P0507 035
IDLE SPEED CONTROL
RPM ABOVE SPECIFIED VALUE
SPORADIC

Well, i've heard a few people saying get them checked out, however, the mechanic at the garage said that he wouldn't unduly worry about them and if they were the only 3 errors then he would be happy to keep on driving the car without worrying too much.

He said the mpg may "slightly" alter, but with it saying running too lean, that is a minute amount of difference to normal, nothing to worry about.

Is this right ?. I mean i know there will be people on here erring on the cautious side and telling me to get it checked out and that it will knacker the CAT if i leave it. But quite a few have also confirmed what the SEAT mechanic said, not to worry because those 3 errors the VAG test kicked up are fine to leave alone.

That's why i decided to get the VAG cable/software. That way i can check it every week or so and see if those are the only 3 errors. If no more errors crop up then leave it. If more errors work their way in then get it sorted.

Does this seem a sensible approach ??

I'm too worried about the garage ripping me off, charging me £197 for the lambda probe, then finding the light comes on again, having them do another VAG test and telling me it's the MAF sensor, then the light coming on again.... and so on !!....

I just cannot afford all the expense when i'm thinking of getting a newer Leon Cupra.

What are your thoughts on this approach ??

Could it be better to get the SEAT garage to check the MAF for me first (as i do think that is what it causing it). Will the SEAT garage be able to check the MAF BEFORE replacing it ?

Regards,
Andy

 

[Sootyastra]

cant you clear the codes by dissconecting the battery for 20 mins or something along those lines,it should clear the light off the dash but im unsure wether it will clear the codes??

 

[andy15star]

Mmm. Not sure about that ??. Would disconnecting the positive of the battery for 20 mins work Guys ?, or would that mean i'd need to reprogram stuff ? (not the radio, as it's my own radio and doesn't need a keycode)

Anyway, i just got the cable today (OBD II), and the shareware version of 409.1. The thing is, it will tell me the codes but i cannot reset the light !!! - Help !!!

When i go to clear "all DTC" it says words to the effect of "You need a professional grade interface to do this" !.

I still however get the same 3 codes, which aren't serious to the car anyway.

Regards,
Andy

 

[Hairy]

Should work ok with e-bay cable (does with mine). I just open the software, click on 'Select' under select control module, then select 'Fault Codes', any faults are then listed, finaly click on 'Clear Codes' to erase them.

 

[ChrisJ]

Fit a new mass air flow meter, i reckon this will cure the problem.

 

[andy15star]

Cheers Chris for that!. Would a SEAT garage have an exchange MAF unit in stock do u reckon ?. I know these are around £70, as opposed to a brand new unit which would be over £200 !!!!

(Also Hairy, so am i clicking the wrong button when i press the "Clear all DTC" ??)

Regards,
Andy

 

[ChrisJ]

I have just fitted an exchange unit, there is absoulutely no need to buy a new one. I bought mine from GSF car parts it was also a genuine original equipment BOSCH item. SEAT will get it next day for you however they will be more expensive, whichever way you decide to go make sure you ask for a BOSCH unit.

Chris.

 

[andy15star]

So do u think a SEAT dealer will be able to get me a secondhand (exchange) BOSCH unit ? Are they pretty much readily available to them ?

Regards,
Andrew

 

[ChrisJ]

Im not sure how a SEAT dealer would work it, they may just charge you for a new one which is on exchange but not actually tell you. Its like a starter motor or alternator, they are always exchange.

 

[andy15star]

So i guess i'll have to specifically tell them i want an exchange unit, not to get a brand new one. Also, get them to ring me with the price BEFORE they do anything with the car.

Regards,
Andy

 

[andy15star]

Well just tried the car this morning and it seems a bit rough on start up. Revs going from 750 to about 1000, a bit erratic and chugging a little. Took it for a drive, seems fine, no loss of power, drives quite normally. Got it back on the drive out of gear, revs steady at 1000 now (still a little high, but steady). Not chugging once warmed up. Is this kind of thing pointing more towards the MAF or the Lambda Probe ??. Tough one, i know !

Regards,
Andy

 

[Mr Roboto]

Hello,

I have a Cupra (not R), and 10 minutes ago the Engine symbol came on (amber) and won't go off. It doesn't flash, it is just on and amber. I have turned the car off and back on again a few times and it' still on.

I have looked in the manual and it says it is the "Diagnosis/Excess of Pollution*" light.

I am at work tomorrow so i really need to know if the car is safe to drive and can i damage it by driving like this ?

What exactly does this light mean ?

Best Regards,
Andrew

I got one of these in my glove box great bit of kit.

http://www.talktomycar.co.uk/products/codereaders/mj009.htm

 

[andy15star]

That looks like an excellent piece of kit !

Actually we "think" we have diagnosed the problem. I took the car up to my mate this morning, he has his own garage and has had someone come in recently with a very similar problem on his Audi TT

Anyway, he took the plastics off the top of the engine and it seems to be a faulty vaccuum pipe (just to the right of the dip stick). You can actually hear it sucking air if you slightly push it.

So he's got a trade account with VW, he's going to pop down in the morning and get the pipe and fit it. He's 99% sure this will solve the problems the VAG test kicked out "MAF Sensor too low). He reckons about £30 for the pipes and advises to get the pipe next to it done too as it should only be about £10 for that pipe. He reckons the MAF reading errors are almost certainly due to this.

Failing that he has a MAF sensor in good order from a TT which he says is exactly the same, so he will lend me that to try if it's not the vaccuum pipe.

Fingers Crossed !!!

Andy

 

[Exocet]

I have just fitted an exchange unit, there is absoulutely no need to buy a new one. I bought mine from GSF car parts it was also a genuine original equipment BOSCH item. SEAT will get it next day for you however they will be more expensive, whichever way you decide to go make sure you ask for a BOSCH unit.

Chris.

Do you have a part number to that Bosch part mate? I cant find it on GSF

 

[andy15star]

Sorry m8, i never got the part number because the problem turned out to be a vacuum pipe, not the MAF. But i'm sure someone on here will know. Might be worth your while starting a new post, you might get a few more readers from a new post.

Regards,
Andy