2003 MG ZTT 190 2.5 V6 Tourer - Check Engine Message Light

Gazza91 · 28th March 2021, 17:11

Hi
My car has not been run for some months. I have bought a new battery and the car started first time. After a while the Check Engine message came up, the MOT has run out so I can’t take the car for a drive to see if the message clears.Is there something I can check to clear the message, l’m aware now that this message is a MOT failure. Or is there any recommendations for a mechanic in the South East London area,I live near to Crystal Palace

Many thanks
Gary 😊

Yorkshire GOC · 28th March 2021, 17:27

First step is to put a diagnostic code reader on the car to see why the light has triggered and a code reader can also be used to clear the light - and then take it from there. Do you have a code reader ?

Gazza91 · 28th March 2021, 17:49

Hi
Unfortunately I don’t have a code reader

ZedTeeTee · 28th March 2021, 19:41

Make sure when you changed the battery, you didn't disturb any connectors - there is one (of a couple in that area) on the top of the throttle housing (if memory serves) that if disconnected will throw an engine warning light.

Sorry if it's a bit vague, been a long time since I had my 190 but I had a very similar experience, sorted the loose connection and engine light went out.

Gazza91 · 28th March 2021, 22:18

Thanks for the information, I’ll try it in the morning 😊

Ducati750cc · 29th March 2021, 07:52

As Yorkshire says you really need to read the codes to pinpoint the area to look at, otherwise you are just guessing.

Simple generic code readers are quite cheap and will allow you to read most engine codes, extinguish the light and one or two other things which can be handy when understood, such as freeze frame and live data.

The sequence when using is to read and note down all codes shown then erase the light, run the car again and see if it comes on, if so read and note the codes again.

You do it this way because the first read could be misleading due to testing by disconnecting components previously and introducing a fault, the second reading will be the correct fault code/codes in most cases.

Many readers will give you the code and a description, say P0101 MAF, if no description then simply Google it.

A word of caution in interpreting codes, the code does not, in many cases, necessarily point to a component being faulty, but some can be taken as read, it is pointing to the fact that the ECU is seeing values outside the expected parameters for whatever reason, so messages such as implausible, values too high/low and so on, can be caused by something as simple as a poor connection, this is where live data can be handy.

Don't forget that other components can trigger a code, such as a lambda sensor showing up as faulty due to such as an air leak into the exhaust upstream of the sensor, a favourite on rear sensors, so sometimes a bit of detective work is also needed.

You may also see current codes, those that triggered the light and pending codes, pending codes are where the ECU sees a quick transient signal, such as a slightly poor connection on a terminal when the car hits a deep pothole, that is out of spec, it remembers these for a certain amount of time, usually x number of engine starts and if it doesn't re-occur forgets them, handy to keep a note of though for future reference if it is a developing problem.

When you said " so I can’t take the car for a drive to see if the message clears.", sadly in most cases this won't happen and if it did you would have no idea what the code was should it occur again.

Live data is a view of data you can watch when the engine is running, temp, fuel trim, and so on.

Freeze frame, if the reader has the function, is a snapshot of the engine condition (sensor info) that caused the light to come on and should be read in conjunction with the code at the same time, it can be overwritten or lost if the battery is disconnected and be unreadable by a simple home code reader.

Gazza91 · 29th March 2021, 19:47

Thanks for the information,I’ll check eBay for a code reader 😊

Gazza91 · 31st March 2021, 19:38

Hi
I’ve borrowed a code reader and a code P0303 cylinder 3 misfire detected. I have recently changed the front 3 spark plugs and I think the coil pack for number 3 cylinder. I will attempt the back 3 soon. I cleared the code and will be getting the MOT tomorrow. Hopefully all will be ok
Thanks again for your help

Gary

vitesse · 31st March 2021, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazza91

Hi
I’ve borrowed a code reader and a code P0303 cylinder 3 misfire detected. I have recently changed the front 3 spark plugs and I think the coil pack for number 3 cylinder. I will attempt the back 3 soon. I cleared the code and will be getting the MOT tomorrow. Hopefully all will be ok
Thanks again for your help

Gary

Coil 3 might not be where you think it should be. Rover's sequence is rather unusual to say the least. The coil nearest the front end is no.3, no.1 in the middle and 5 at the end.
And get yourself what is much more than a code reader, the free programme Toaf, use the search menu above, to find out more.

Regards & good luck

28th March 2021, 17:11	#1
Gazza91 Newbie MGZT-T+ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: London Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	2003 MG ZTT 190 2.5 V6 Tourer - Check Engine Message Light Hi My car has not been run for some months. I have bought a new battery and the car started first time. After a while the Check Engine message came up, the MOT has run out so I can’t take the car for a drive to see if the message clears.Is there something I can check to clear the message, l’m aware now that this message is a MOT failure. Or is there any recommendations for a mechanic in the South East London area,I live near to Crystal Palace Many thanks Gary 😊

28th March 2021, 17:27	#2
Yorkshire GOC I really should get out more....... Rover 75 connoisseur se v6 auto Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hull Posts: 2,063 Thanks: 1,842 Thanked 623 Times in 469 Posts	First step is to put a diagnostic code reader on the car to see why the light has triggered and a code reader can also be used to clear the light - and then take it from there. Do you have a code reader ? __________________ She came off the Longbridge Line on 20-05-2003 The Silver Machine was the 13th of 160 Rover 75's to come off the production line that day and is the 100th of 527 Starlight Silver Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto saloons listed in the build records produced world wide.

29th March 2021, 07:52	#6
Ducati750cc Loves to post Rover75 tourer Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Ashton Posts: 428 Thanks: 121 Thanked 206 Times in 145 Posts	As Yorkshire says you really need to read the codes to pinpoint the area to look at, otherwise you are just guessing. Simple generic code readers are quite cheap and will allow you to read most engine codes, extinguish the light and one or two other things which can be handy when understood, such as freeze frame and live data. The sequence when using is to read and note down all codes shown then erase the light, run the car again and see if it comes on, if so read and note the codes again. You do it this way because the first read could be misleading due to testing by disconnecting components previously and introducing a fault, the second reading will be the correct fault code/codes in most cases. Many readers will give you the code and a description, say P0101 MAF, if no description then simply Google it. A word of caution in interpreting codes, the code does not, in many cases, necessarily point to a component being faulty, but some can be taken as read, it is pointing to the fact that the ECU is seeing values outside the expected parameters for whatever reason, so messages such as implausible, values too high/low and so on, can be caused by something as simple as a poor connection, this is where live data can be handy. Don't forget that other components can trigger a code, such as a lambda sensor showing up as faulty due to such as an air leak into the exhaust upstream of the sensor, a favourite on rear sensors, so sometimes a bit of detective work is also needed. You may also see current codes, those that triggered the light and pending codes, pending codes are where the ECU sees a quick transient signal, such as a slightly poor connection on a terminal when the car hits a deep pothole, that is out of spec, it remembers these for a certain amount of time, usually x number of engine starts and if it doesn't re-occur forgets them, handy to keep a note of though for future reference if it is a developing problem. When you said " so I can’t take the car for a drive to see if the message clears.", sadly in most cases this won't happen and if it did you would have no idea what the code was should it occur again. Live data is a view of data you can watch when the engine is running, temp, fuel trim, and so on. Freeze frame, if the reader has the function, is a snapshot of the engine condition (sensor info) that caused the light to come on and should be read in conjunction with the code at the same time, it can be overwritten or lost if the battery is disconnected and be unreadable by a simple home code reader. __________________ Common sense isn't a gift, it's a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn't have it.

28th March 2021, 17:49	#3
Gazza91 Newbie MGZT-T+ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: London Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Unfortunately I don’t have a code reader

28th March 2021, 19:41	#4
ZedTeeTee This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Stanley Posts: 3,334 Thanks: 240 Thanked 303 Times in 172 Posts	Make sure when you changed the battery, you didn't disturb any connectors - there is one (of a couple in that area) on the top of the throttle housing (if memory serves) that if disconnected will throw an engine warning light. Sorry if it's a bit vague, been a long time since I had my 190 but I had a very similar experience, sorted the loose connection and engine light went out.

28th March 2021, 22:18	#5
Gazza91 Newbie MGZT-T+ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: London Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the information, I’ll try it in the morning 😊

29th March 2021, 19:47	#7
Gazza91 Newbie MGZT-T+ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: London Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the information,I’ll check eBay for a code reader 😊

31st March 2021, 19:38	#8
Gazza91 Newbie MGZT-T+ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: London Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi I’ve borrowed a code reader and a code P0303 cylinder 3 misfire detected. I have recently changed the front 3 spark plugs and I think the coil pack for number 3 cylinder. I will attempt the back 3 soon. I cleared the code and will be getting the MOT tomorrow. Hopefully all will be ok Thanks again for your help Gary