MOT Help.

[chrissa1]

My Subaru Impreza Estate 2.0 has the "Check Engine" light that comes on when I'm driving. Now I know there is nothing wrong with the engine and it's just a "diagnostic tweak" that needs £35 to be paid to re-set it after I had a new catalytic thing fitted last year.

As I can't really afford this extra, is it a reason to make it fail its MOT.

[RATTER15]

As long as it passes the emission tests I imagine it wouldn't be a problem.

[chrissa1]

Yes Ratter, everything is ticketyboo in that department.

[ChuckFickens]

As above....

also, how old is it?

[chrissa1]

2001.

[ChuckFickens]

OK, it's a new style one then, the only way to reset it is either through the dealer or buy the tool to do it yourself.

The older ones had a reset procedure you could do yourself.

[chrissa1]

I've got used to it now and it doesn't bother me Chuck. Just wondered if they would fail the car because of it. Thanks.

[Hopkirk]

Can't you take it back to whoever fitted the new cat, and say 'oi, you forgot to reset the light'?

[NOX]

If it's the old type, this will reset your ecu and turn off your management light.

ECU Reset

Ensure engine is at normal operating temperature, turn engine off
Locate the two ECU connectors, located under the steering column and consist of a black plastic male and female connector, and a green male female connector
With the ignition OFF connect black to black and green to green.
Turn on ignition, do not start the engine, depress the accelerator pedal to full throttle, then return it to the half-throttle position and hold for a few seconds, and then release
Engine Check lamp turns on
Start engine and then drive for at least one minute, keeping road speed above 11 Km/h.
ECU is now re-set.
At this point the check engine light should start to flash the all clear signal (steady 1/2 second interval flashes). If the check engine light does not flash, or indicates some other sequence, there is a fault present in the system, and should be professionally checked for necessary repairs.
Stop the car and turn off the engine.
Disconnect the black and green connectors.

[sherrardk]

I had my car MOTd at the beginning of the month and it passed with an air bag warning light on.

[AlBags]

Check Engine, Airbag .. and as before ABS lights are ABOUT to be included in MOT's .. as are tow bars and electrics.
Latest of interest would be front brake pad wear .. min thickness.
They are not supposed to remove them to check tho .. so some are using a piece of wire to gauge it.

[chrissa1]

The garage that fitted the thing didn't have the correct software programme to do this and neither did my local HiQ place and they are a nationwide company.

Nox that sounds way too complicated for me to do but thanks.
Sherrardk, that's comforting to know.

[AlBags]

I would say it has thrown up a MIL because emissions have gone out of limits because of the tweak.

[chrissa1]

Mother In law????????????????

[AlBags]

Yes .. something like that : )

Malfunction Indicator Light (or Engine Check Light!)

[chrissa1]

Of Course!! Will this make it fail its MOT though?

[vivandorron]

Hi chrissa....There is a good chance that your car will pass the MOT. My 9yr old Seat Leon has passed on the last two occasions, despite the fact that a section of the exhaust is held in position by what amounts to thick wire. (A welding rod). However, the official Government rules specify that 'exhausts must be secure and complete'. Guess therefore that my exhaust is secure and (apart from a broken bracket) is complete pipework.

A full list of items for testing are listed on the UK Government site:-

http://www.direct.gov...ehicle/Mot/DG_4022109

Ron.

[AlBags]

No ... Not at the moment. However, it may well soon.

Best ask a local garage to put on an exhaust analyzer to check tho .. before the test .. particularly to make sure you are not driving about on a weak mixture, as this can damage the valves/valve seats.
It only takes a few minutes.
If it IS on because of emissions, it may fail on that on the test.

[chrissa1]

Cheers all.