Engine management light on...

theshootist · 01-28-2013, 02:19 AM

I was enjoying a good drive back from some shooting this Saturday, Forester on top form and burbling for Britain, when I noticed that the engine warning light was on permanently and the cruise light flashing. There was no change to the way the engine runs.

I am hoping that its just a fault with one of the emissions sensors and not something more drastic. The is the second time in over 50k miles that I've had this light come on. The last time I had valve wear and a big bill!

Looks the car will be on enforced rest till I can get it looked at. Fingers crossed.

crewzer · 01-28-2013, 03:56 AM

Quote:

...I noticed that the engine warning light was on permanently and the cruise light flashing.

Here in the U.S., that warning light combination means the on board diagnostic system (OBD) has stored one or more error codes. OBD readers are fairly inexpensive (~US$20), and the code translations can be found on-line. Alternately, most of our chain auto parts stores will read the code(s) at no charge.

Don't know how this works in the UK.

Best of luck!
Jim / crewzer

orienteer · 01-28-2013, 04:02 AM

Yup, need to read the code. Can be something as simple as the fuel cap not being replaced properly. Dealer will charge a lot to read it I expect, I have an OBD device, where in London are you?

theshootist · 01-28-2013, 04:32 AM

Thanks gents. I am in the city, although I left the car with a friend in essex when the light came on this weekend.

Are these readers cheap to buy here? Are there different makes/models?

Edit - ah I see loads on ebay.. can anyone recommend one?

Gigsy · 01-28-2013, 05:03 AM

Got a laptop? If so, get a VAGCom cable (all pretty much the same) and download a copy of ROMRaider / LearningView.

Scc28 · 01-28-2013, 05:27 AM

youre running deact arnt you? il put money on its the p0420 code which is cat operating beyond or out of limit. i sometimes get it on mine but i just read it and clear it with the psi3. we all bought an american code reafer last year which was pretty good value for money and could be used as a digital gauge too, its in the garage somewhere il have a look!!

Pindie · 01-28-2013, 05:42 AM

Is that the Ultra gauge Simon? If so I had one with my Foz and it's an excellent bit of kit.

theshootist · 01-28-2013, 05:51 AM

Yes I have a lap to. Thanks for the pointer. Hopefully its just the fuel cap or something!!

theshootist · 01-28-2013, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scc28

youre running deact arnt you? il put money on its the p0420 code which is cat operating beyond or out of limit. i sometimes get it on mine but i just read it and clear it with the psi3. we all bought an american code reafer last year which was pretty good value for money and could be used as a digital gauge too, its in the garage somewhere il have a look!!

Yes its a full decat at the moment. I know that one of the sensors was removed and a fix put in place as part of the new exhaust system.

I am very cautious about driving with any warning lights on, I guess I need to be able to read these codes, should have got one of these readers ages ago. (

Can't find a 'kick myself' smilie)

This one looks good.

joey_turbo · 01-28-2013, 06:15 AM

Where in Essex? I've got a PSi3 data monitor I could use to read a code. I'm not far from Lakeside in Thurrock.

Tumble · 01-28-2013, 06:31 AM

freeSSM is a good diagnostic program when used with laptop and vagcom cable

theshootist · 01-28-2013, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joey_turbo

Where in Essex? I've got a PSi3 data monitor I could use to read a code. I'm not far from Lakeside in Thurrock.

That's very generous, thank you. Its near Abridge. I have ordered the necessary kit now (sounds like a good investment!) and will hopefully have it by the weekend. If its just the cat error as Simon suggests I will be very happy!

Scc28 · 01-28-2013, 09:39 AM

thats the one james!! couldnt for the life of me remember its name!! i left the sensor in because as far as i know it still adjusts the fueling when running closed loop? (i stand to be corrected!)

mines occassionally throws it when the engine hasnt reached operating temp when ive just been pootling around town!! since the full decat and remap ive had to clear it once, so its no biggy in my book

Gigsy · 01-28-2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tumble

freeSSM is a good diagnostic program when used with laptop and vagcom cable

Need to have the right cable for FreeSSM - not all the VagCom ones on eBay will work with it IIRC.

Pindie · 01-28-2013, 12:03 PM

The UG is an ace bit of kit. Is has several pages of differing readings, dials etc.

I had to order mine from the USA and it took a week to arrive. It gave me an average MPG which I thought was nice.

01-28-2013, 02:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
theshootist Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 164 Location: London Car Year: 2005 Car Model: Forester 2.5 XTen Transmission: Manual Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Engine management light on... I was enjoying a good drive back from some shooting this Saturday, Forester on top form and burbling for Britain, when I noticed that the engine warning light was on permanently and the cruise light flashing. There was no change to the way the engine runs. I am hoping that its just a fault with one of the emissions sensors and not something more drastic. The is the second time in over 50k miles that I've had this light come on. The last time I had valve wear and a big bill! Looks the car will be on enforced rest till I can get it looked at. Fingers crossed.

01-28-2013, 04:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
orienteer Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 831 Location: Uxbridge, London, UK Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yup, need to read the code. Can be something as simple as the fuel cap not being replaced properly. Dealer will charge a lot to read it I expect, I have an OBD device, where in London are you? __________________ 2011 Forester XC Diesel Moulton bicycles

01-28-2013, 05:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
Gigsy Forum Member Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,525 Location: Oxford, UK Car Year: 2002 Car Model: Impreza WRX Transmission: 5MT Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Got a laptop? If so, get a VAGCom cable (all pretty much the same) and download a copy of ROMRaider / LearningView. __________________ Was MY03 FXT (262bhp) MY03 WRX (271bhp) Now MY05 MCS, Z3 2.8, X3 3.0d, Vespa ET4 & BMW F700GS

01-28-2013, 05:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
Scc28 Forum Member Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,792 Location: The Dark Hills Car Year: 2005 Car Model: xt Transmission: magic wand Gallery: 53 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	youre running deact arnt you? il put money on its the p0420 code which is cat operating beyond or out of limit. i sometimes get it on mine but i just read it and clear it with the psi3. we all bought an american code reafer last year which was pretty good value for money and could be used as a digital gauge too, its in the garage somewhere il have a look!! __________________ New and Improved 341bhp/355lb 富士重工業株式会社

01-28-2013, 06:31 AM	#11 (permalink)
Tumble Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 170 Location: Southwest UK Car Year: 2004 Car Model: 2.0 XT Transmission: Manual Gallery: 5 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	freeSSM is a good diagnostic program when used with laptop and vagcom cable __________________ H&S Combi Decat, LPG

01-28-2013, 04:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
theshootist Forum Member Thread Starter Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 164 Location: London Car Year: 2005 Car Model: Forester 2.5 XTen Transmission: Manual Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks gents. I am in the city, although I left the car with a friend in essex when the light came on this weekend. Are these readers cheap to buy here? Are there different makes/models? Edit - ah I see loads on ebay.. can anyone recommend one?

01-28-2013, 05:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
Pindie Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,533 Location: Wales Car Year: 2012 Car Model: Was XT now WRX STi Transmission: Man stick Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Is that the Ultra gauge Simon? If so I had one with my Foz and it's an excellent bit of kit.

01-28-2013, 05:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
theshootist Forum Member Thread Starter Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 164 Location: London Car Year: 2005 Car Model: Forester 2.5 XTen Transmission: Manual Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yes I have a lap to. Thanks for the pointer. Hopefully its just the fuel cap or something!!

01-28-2013, 06:15 AM	#10 (permalink)
joey_turbo Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 348 Location: Essex, England Car Year: 2000 Car Model: Forester S Turbo Transmission: Manual Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Where in Essex? I've got a PSi3 data monitor I could use to read a code. I'm not far from Lakeside in Thurrock.

01-28-2013, 09:39 AM	#13 (permalink)
Scc28 Forum Member Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,792 Location: The Dark Hills Car Year: 2005 Car Model: xt Transmission: magic wand Gallery: 53 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	thats the one james!! couldnt for the life of me remember its name!! i left the sensor in because as far as i know it still adjusts the fueling when running closed loop? (i stand to be corrected!) mines occassionally throws it when the engine hasnt reached operating temp when ive just been pootling around town!! since the full decat and remap ive had to clear it once, so its no biggy in my book __________________ New and Improved 341bhp/355lb 富士重工業株式会社

01-28-2013, 12:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
Pindie Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,533 Location: Wales Car Year: 2012 Car Model: Was XT now WRX STi Transmission: Man stick Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The UG is an ace bit of kit. Is has several pages of differing readings, dials etc. I had to order mine from the USA and it took a week to arrive. It gave me an average MPG which I thought was nice.

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