Engine Malfunction Light

ashley101 · 20th August 2014, 20:18

Right, another problem... I have to convince myself that it'll be worth it in the end!!

You might remember the issue I had with the coolant level a week or so ago with my 2002 CDT. The level had dropped and the engine was overheating. I managed to sort that at the time, but one of the issues was the 'Check Engine' light flashing up from time to time. The light disappeared for a short while, but now it's back.

I first noticed it after I'd parked up in a supermarket, gone in to get a few things, and then come back and tried to drive away. As soon as the engine started the light was back. I cancelled it and drove off but it flashed up again at regular intervals all the way home. The car drove completely normally.

It's happened a few times since, but not consistently. When it does happen, it's mostly been when the car's stopped and/or in slow-moving traffic.

It happened again today. I'd pulled up to send a text but left the engine running, and this time the 'Check Engine' light became an 'Engine Malfunction' light (the same icon on the display but with an exclamation mark in the centre). I flicked it off and carried on driving as normal, but it appeared again at several points in the journey. Again: no changes to the driving, no loss of power etc.

A few pieces of information:

I had the car T4-ed back in April by Phil. He said at the time that the MAF was working well. I've no idea if this is related, but it came up in a few of the past posts on the Engine Malfunction light.
I've taken the electrical connection out of the fuel filter and placed it back in. This didn't make a difference. What I did notice, though, is that there's loose black insulation tape on these cables. Maybe suggesting someone's had an issue with the electrics on this before, and they're now coming loose again? I can upload a photo of this if it's useful...
I had a feel around the large foam-type pipe that goes into the radiator in the passenger's side. The jubilee clip was loose and there was a small amount of oil around it. I'll try to tighten this up and I've no idea if it's relevant, but I noticed it today so I'm including it here.
I've listened out for the two fuel pumps and they both seem to make the right noises (i.e. they're making some noise!).

As I say: no changes to the driving, just an annoying light. But I do need to get to the bottom of it!

Any thoughts?

Thanks...

klarzy · 20th August 2014, 20:26

don't suppose you clocked the error code??

ashley101 · 20th August 2014, 20:29

I'm afraid not... Is it the right time to invest in a reader?

Anon3 · 20th August 2014, 20:29

A pure guess tells me the Lambda sensor might be playing up, especially if you do mostly short, low speed trips.
If so, take it for a good thrash and see if you can burn any gunk off it.

It might improve things, but if it does, it probably needs replacing.

That's by no means definitive though and indeed, probably wrong, so see it as a bump

klarzy · 20th August 2014, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashley101

I'm afraid not... Is it the right time to invest in a reader?

when you bought the car was the right time to invest 16.00 in a reader...

ashley101 · 20th August 2014, 20:32

Fair point well made...

okenora · 20th August 2014, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anon3

A pure guess tells me the Lambda sensor might be playing up

it's a diesel though......not really much that triggers the light on a diesel. T4 and 10 seconds will narrow the fault down.....code reader won't be much help on a 2002 diesel either.

klarzy · 20th August 2014, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by okenora

it's a diesel though......not really much that triggers the light on a diesel. T4 and 10 seconds will narrow the fault down.....

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...

Anon3 · 20th August 2014, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by okenora

it's a diesel though......not really much that triggers the light on a diesel. T4 and 10 seconds will narrow the fault down.....code reader won't be much help on a 2002 diesel either.

Ah, I didn't know that. That'll teach me to read properly

Oh well, at least I tried

klarzy · 20th August 2014, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anon3

Ah, I didn't know that. That'll teach me to read properly

Oh well, at least I tried

yes , I make an idiot of myself quite often as well

20th August 2014, 20:18	#1
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	Engine Malfunction Light Right, another problem... I have to convince myself that it'll be worth it in the end!! You might remember the issue I had with the coolant level a week or so ago with my 2002 CDT. The level had dropped and the engine was overheating. I managed to sort that at the time, but one of the issues was the 'Check Engine' light flashing up from time to time. The light disappeared for a short while, but now it's back. I first noticed it after I'd parked up in a supermarket, gone in to get a few things, and then come back and tried to drive away. As soon as the engine started the light was back. I cancelled it and drove off but it flashed up again at regular intervals all the way home. The car drove completely normally. It's happened a few times since, but not consistently. When it does happen, it's mostly been when the car's stopped and/or in slow-moving traffic. It happened again today. I'd pulled up to send a text but left the engine running, and this time the 'Check Engine' light became an 'Engine Malfunction' light (the same icon on the display but with an exclamation mark in the centre). I flicked it off and carried on driving as normal, but it appeared again at several points in the journey. Again: no changes to the driving, no loss of power etc. A few pieces of information: I had the car T4-ed back in April by Phil. He said at the time that the MAF was working well. I've no idea if this is related, but it came up in a few of the past posts on the Engine Malfunction light. I've taken the electrical connection out of the fuel filter and placed it back in. This didn't make a difference. What I did notice, though, is that there's loose black insulation tape on these cables. Maybe suggesting someone's had an issue with the electrics on this before, and they're now coming loose again? I can upload a photo of this if it's useful... I had a feel around the large foam-type pipe that goes into the radiator in the passenger's side. The jubilee clip was loose and there was a small amount of oil around it. I'll try to tighten this up and I've no idea if it's relevant, but I noticed it today so I'm including it here. I've listened out for the two fuel pumps and they both seem to make the right noises (i.e. they're making some noise!). As I say: no changes to the driving, just an annoying light. But I do need to get to the bottom of it! Any thoughts? Thanks... Last edited by ashley101; 20th August 2014 at 20:31..

20th August 2014, 20:26	#2
klarzy This is my second home none but not gone Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: March, Cambs Posts: 16,437 Thanks: 894 Thanked 4,247 Times in 3,025 Posts	don't suppose you clocked the error code?? __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]….All praise Bananaswan….

20th August 2014, 20:29	#4
Anon3 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,392 Thanks: 199 Thanked 219 Times in 187 Posts	A pure guess tells me the Lambda sensor might be playing up, especially if you do mostly short, low speed trips. If so, take it for a good thrash and see if you can burn any gunk off it. It might improve things, but if it does, it probably needs replacing. That's by no means definitive though and indeed, probably wrong, so see it as a bump __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Villa, Stella, Balti. It's Brummie latin that means, er...... Vis tester available to local V6 owners

20th August 2014, 20:32	#6
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	Fair point well made...