Engine Malfunction (Diesel only) Lamp

[Raistlin]

I had the above named warning lamp appearing this morning but it disappeared after about 3 minutes and didn't return next time I switched the engine on.

Can anybody tell me what the problem is likely to be please?

It's the orange coloured engine pictogram with the exclamation mark.

Thanks

[Ti Rich]

Paul

You have a fault code reader don't you - you tell us?

[Raistlin]

No I don't Rich - my car is too early a model to give out OBC fault codes

[Ti Rich]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

No I don't Rich - my car is too early a model to give out OBC fault codes

Ah! - what does it do then? and, more importantly, what was happening when the light came on?

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

I had the above named warning lamp appearing this morning but it disappeared after about 3 minutes and didn't return next time I switched the engine on.

Can anybody tell me what the problem is likely to be please?

It's the orange coloured engine pictogram with the exclamation mark.

Thanks

I've had that happen a couple of times when I almost stalled the car for some reason - misfire probably - it clears itself next time you cycle ignition system. Prob nothing to worry about.

[Raistlin]

That's encouraging Christopher.

Mine came on a few seconds after the first start of the morning and went out of its own accord a few minutes later.

Started the engine several times since with no repetition of the warning coming on

Originally Posted by Ti Rich

Ah! - what does it do then? and, more importantly, what was happening when the light came on?

On a diesel engine of this model year it gives you all the operation parameters (temps, pressures, speeds etc.)

On a petrol engine of the same year or a diesel engine of MY 2004, it gives you fault codes and reset capabilities I understand.

As far as what was happening post warning - the car was sitting in the garage waiting for me to put it into reverse gear Rich. Basically just sitting idling.

[Keith]

The Mil light is normally triggered by an emisions related fault temporary or otherwise

You could still try a standard OBD scanner on it, you may get a P something or other out of it

[Roverron]

Originally Posted by Keith

The Mil light is normally triggered by an emisions related fault temporary or otherwise

You could still try a standard OBD scanner on it, you may get a P something or other out of it

The MIL will come on with many malfunctions, not just emissions related ones.
EG low fuel pressure - try disconnecting the plug from the sensor in the top of the fuel filter. Or unplug the rail pressure sensor.

There are fault codes logged its just that you can't access them on pre 2004 cars without a manufacturer specific code reader - Sykes Pickavant, Snap On etc and the famous Testbook.

On some cars there are two warnng lights, the MIL which is strictly speaking, just for emissions related faults and the engine warning light which is for the others.
However in most cases the one light does 'double duty' and its down to the fault code to 'hint' at the fault.

Ron

[Raistlin]

Well - it only appeared once and only for a few minutes so maybe I'm lucky

One question though, the driver's handbook suggests that there will be reduced power.

Am I right in thinking that this 'reduced power' would not be apparent after the fault light disappeared please?

VeeKay certainly doesn't SEEM to be any less eager than normal

[Roverron]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

Well - it only appeared once and only for a few minutes so maybe I'm lucky

One question though, the driver's handbook suggests that there will be reduced power.

Am I right in thinking that this 'reduced power' would not be apparent after the fault light disappeared please?

VeeKay certainly doesn't SEEM to be any less eager than normal

I've never noticed reduced power on either my 45s or 75. I suppose it depends what caused it but I suspect its unlikely.

Ron