Engine Light On Again...

[boxtops]

The engine light's come on again on my Daihatsu Sirion. It came on before its service a few weeks ago, just before service - the garage did the emissions test and it needed work on the catalytic converter otherwise it would have failed MOT.

Last time I asked, people told me not to worry if the light was on constantly, not flashing, but I don't like it - what could it be, do I need to go back to the garage?

[Iggle Piggle]

Pop into a garage and get a fault read done, (doesn't have to be a dealer, in fact I'd avoid them...) this will tell you what fault is logged in the engine computer (ECU). Probably the lambda sensor needs a clean or replacement but the fault read will tell you.

[boxtops]

OK thank you, I'll give them a ring on Monday.

[Hymie]

If your garage will do the scan and tell you what needs doing for free – then all well and good. But if they are going to charge you (at the risk of appearing to be the guy selling these), buy yourself one of these and find out what is wrong with the vehicle yourself.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/D900-Any-Car-OBD2-EOBD-CAN-BUS-Fault-Code-Reader-Scanner-diagnostic-scan-tool-/110985523772?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&;hash=item19d740b23c

If future, whenever the engine warning light illuminates – you will know whether the fault requires immediate attention or not.

I bought this model over a year ago and paid over £30 – it allows you to cancel the fault code (switching off the engine warning light); if it returns with the same fault, you can be fairly sure you have a genuine problem that requires attention.

[tonyav]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321148119497?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I bought one of these last week, very good tool.

[boxtops]

Good thought, hymie and tony, thank you.

[tonyav]

The one that I bought will tell you the fault and if you wish reset the light.

[tonyav]

Oh boxy, you could also try disconnecting the car battery for 10 mins say, when you reconnect the battery it may reset the ECU.

[boxtops]

You mean.... open the bonnet.....? and look at the thingies inside....? :-)

[ELVIS68]

Tony, do they work on all modern cars?

[tonyav]

From 2002 for petrol and 2004 for diesel, I believe, Elvis.
I think that it does tell you on the ad somewhere if I remember correctly.

[EDDIE51]

boxtops , do you mean you don't even know how to check the oil with the dipstick? Or see if there is water in the radiator tank ? What about filling the windscreen wash water ? You need to open the bonnet for that.

[tonyav]

Yes boxy, I'm afraid that you will have to open the bonnet to disconnect the battery.

[boxtops]

No seriously - I can (and do) do oil and water and washer fluid. I know where those bits are. It's only that when my battery needed replacing, it's set at a funny angle in my car, it too three of us to get it out :-)

[ELVIS68]

Cheers Tony, might buy one of those

[tonyav]

You haven't got to remove the battery, boxy. Just disconnect it.

[tonyav]

It's a handy tool, Elvis. Probably save you money to in the future.

[boxtops]

tony yes - I do realise that :-) - just the battery was an ogre last time I had anything to do with it.

[Prudie]

Don't want to worry you but my daughter has that car, R reg, inherited from my mother. When her engine light came on she went to 5 garages including the Daihatsu dealer and every one of them said the engine wouldn't 'talk' to the diagnostic machine.

[tonyav]

R reg though Prudie, old.

[boxtops]

Cheers prudie - but the garage were able to "diagnose" it last time by putting it on the machine. Mine's not (ahem) quite as old as that, perhaps it's the R reg technology which is against that vehicle...