Engine Malfunction Light - Page 2

ashley101 · 20th August 2014, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by klarzy

the only thing that has set mine off was the temp sensor on the MAF... perhaps your MAF is good but the temp probe not so or a bad connection.... try unplugging it and cleaning it...

Okay, so unplug and clean the MAF connector? Or is there a separate part for the temp probe? I guess there'll be photos of that if I do a search, right?

Would this explain why the light was sometimes 'Check Engine' and sometimes 'Engine Malfunction'?

klarzy · 20th August 2014, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashley101

Okay, so unplug and clean the MAF connector? Or is there a separate part for the temp probe? I guess there'll be photos of that if I do a search, right?

Would this explain why the light was sometimes 'Check Engine' and sometimes 'Engine Malfunction'?

the one plug (3 or 4 pin) does both... the temp probe is on the side of the MAF...

ashley101 · 20th August 2014, 20:46

Right, so clean the actual temp probe and not just the connector?

klarzy · 20th August 2014, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashley101

Right, so physically clean the temp probe?

no, just the contacts in the plug male and female...

ashley101 · 20th August 2014, 20:47

Okay, I'll go and have a go. Thanks

ashley101 · 21st August 2014, 17:22

I cleaned it the connector today and went for a drive. No light!! I'm not holding my breath quite yet, but I'll let you all know how it goes.

I'm a little bit confused to be honest though: neither the male nor female contacts were dirty/dusty at all... But I still cleaned them as best as I could. A mystery!

ashley101 · 22nd August 2014, 17:16

I've just taken it out and the light's back. I drove it around a lot this morning without the light - but the engine icon with an exclamation mark has returned as soon as I've just turned the ignition. It's flashed up again several times on a short journey. Any thoughts? The car drives fine, so should I be particularly concerned? I obviously need to get to the bottom of it in any case! Thanks.

ashley101 · 15th March 2015, 14:59

As an update to this thread: I think I've solved the issue.

I changed the fuel filter yesterday and found that it was very loose in its holder. The new filter is now tightly secured, and I also took the opportunity to clean the contacts on the filter's electrical connection. I haven't had the 'Check Engine' message since, which is fantastic as it was annoying at best and worrying at worst.

Something worth trying for people in a similar situation.

ashley101 · 16th March 2015, 14:57

Forget that last post. Took the car out again this morning and 'Check Engine' with exclamation mark back up after about 15 mins, first starting after car had been turned off for a few mins and then restarted. As usual it could be cancelled manually or disappeared itself after ca. 15/20 secs before coming up again a few mins later. The driving was all in town so pretty slow and start/stop.

I'd appreciate ideas on what to do next. Is it worth replacing the fuel filter housing or am I chasing a dead end? And could a T4 trace the problem with any certainty? I'm thinking about attending the upcoming nano meet, or even making a special trip down to Phil in Olney.

Disappointing and frustrating to say the least.

wesley · 16th March 2015, 17:08

i would check the wiring to the fuel pressure sensor - the bit that the fuel filter is attached to. sometimes it is too tight and over time works the contacts loose cuasing the intermitint fault. if the wires seem tight its worth easing them to alow a little bit of slack and make sure the plug is pushed fully in to the socket.

16th March 2015, 14:57	#19
ashley101 Avid contributor 2002 Conn SE 75 Tourer (Manual) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Worcester Posts: 134 Thanks: 76 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Forget that last post. Took the car out again this morning and 'Check Engine' with exclamation mark back up after about 15 mins, first starting after car had been turned off for a few mins and then restarted. As usual it could be cancelled manually or disappeared itself after ca. 15/20 secs before coming up again a few mins later. The driving was all in town so pretty slow and start/stop. I'd appreciate ideas on what to do next. Is it worth replacing the fuel filter housing or am I chasing a dead end? And could a T4 trace the problem with any certainty? I'm thinking about attending the upcoming nano meet, or even making a special trip down to Phil in Olney. Disappointing and frustrating to say the least. Last edited by ashley101; 16th March 2015 at 15:01..

20th August 2014, 20:46	#13
ashley101 Avid contributor 2002 Conn SE 75 Tourer (Manual) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Worcester Posts: 134 Thanks: 76 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Right, so clean the actual temp probe and not just the connector?

20th August 2014, 20:47	#15
ashley101 Avid contributor 2002 Conn SE 75 Tourer (Manual) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Worcester Posts: 134 Thanks: 76 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Okay, I'll go and have a go. Thanks

21st August 2014, 17:22	#16
ashley101 Avid contributor 2002 Conn SE 75 Tourer (Manual) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Worcester Posts: 134 Thanks: 76 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	I cleaned it the connector today and went for a drive. No light!! I'm not holding my breath quite yet, but I'll let you all know how it goes. I'm a little bit confused to be honest though: neither the male nor female contacts were dirty/dusty at all... But I still cleaned them as best as I could. A mystery!

22nd August 2014, 17:16	#17
ashley101 Avid contributor 2002 Conn SE 75 Tourer (Manual) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Worcester Posts: 134 Thanks: 76 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	I've just taken it out and the light's back. I drove it around a lot this morning without the light - but the engine icon with an exclamation mark has returned as soon as I've just turned the ignition. It's flashed up again several times on a short journey. Any thoughts? The car drives fine, so should I be particularly concerned? I obviously need to get to the bottom of it in any case! Thanks.

15th March 2015, 14:59	#18
ashley101 Avid contributor 2002 Conn SE 75 Tourer (Manual) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Worcester Posts: 134 Thanks: 76 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	As an update to this thread: I think I've solved the issue. I changed the fuel filter yesterday and found that it was very loose in its holder. The new filter is now tightly secured, and I also took the opportunity to clean the contacts on the filter's electrical connection. I haven't had the 'Check Engine' message since, which is fantastic as it was annoying at best and worrying at worst. Something worth trying for people in a similar situation.

16th March 2015, 17:08	#20
wesley Loves to post 75 saloon Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nuneaton Posts: 401 Thanks: 292 Thanked 61 Times in 58 Posts	i would check the wiring to the fuel pressure sensor - the bit that the fuel filter is attached to. sometimes it is too tight and over time works the contacts loose cuasing the intermitint fault. if the wires seem tight its worth easing them to alow a little bit of slack and make sure the plug is pushed fully in to the socket.