Engine warning light.......any ideas ??

[Dave7]

I have a 65 plate Astra, petrol auto. Very low mileage (less than 10K).
It gets a regular service as required.
Today a warning light came on. Its a sort of oblong and the colour is orange.
Mr Google seems to indicate it could be emissions/catalytic convertor.
I feel a trip to my local garage coming on but just wonder if this is familiar to anyone ?
If so, does it sound expensive

 

[BoldonLad]

Not the same model of car, but, with a 66 plate Captur diesel, low mileage (14k), I had similar thing. Dealer advice was, provided light doesn't show red, ok to drive car. I took it into dealer and they reset something (don't know what), been OK since. Good luck.

 

[fossyant]

Invest in an ODBC II reader, and Torque app - it will tell you what's wrong, and allow you to reset it. If it keeps lighting, then that's a definate fault. Cost less than £25.

 

[Dave7]

Invest in an ODBC II reader, and Torque app - it will tell you what's wrong, and allow you to reset it. If it keeps lighting, then that's a definate fault. Cost less than £25.

Fossyant......thanks but that is a foreign language to me. You are speaking to Mr Bean here

 

[All uphill]

Our secondhand Volvo did this immediately after we bought it; a run up the motorway at 4k revs in fourth gear for 20 miles, turn off then restart fixed it.

We've since covered 50k miles in it without the problem reappearing.

I think it was a result of the car being unused for a few months.

 

[a.twiddler]

Does it do a lot of slow traffic miles or short trips so it doesn't warm up? Sometimes a good thrash can clear sooty deposits on the sensors and perform a miracle cure. An "Italian tune up" as they used to call it.

 

[fossyant]

Fossyant......thanks but that is a foreign language to me. You are speaking to Mr Bean here

You can buy a doodah that plugs into your port on the car to read errors. It's the best way not to get fleased by the Dealer who will charge a fair amount just to read the codes.

Your other option is to 'drive' the car 3 times - i.e. pop out, stop, turn engine off, then drive again. If the fault isn't repeated in 3 drives, it usually clears. It literally could be anything, either serious or not.

Do you have a friendly garage who will read it for you without charging a fortune.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Yes. first port of call is the motorway for 2 or 3 junctions. Let your inner Boy Racer out!

 

[Dave7]

You can buy a doodah that plugs into your port on the car to read errors. It's the best way not to get fleased by the Dealer who will charge a fair amount just to read the codes.

Your other option is to 'drive' the car 3 times - i.e. pop out, stop, turn engine off, then drive again. If the fault isn't repeated in 3 drives, it usually clears. It literally could be anything, either serious or not.

Do you have a friendly garage who will read it for you without charging a fortune.

Thanks.
I have a friendly garage that does my servicing etc so hopefully they can help.

 

[Dave7]

Does it do a lot of slow traffic miles or short trips so it doesn't warm up? Sometimes a good thrash can clear sooty deposits on the sensors and perform a miracle cure. An "Italian tune up" as they used to call it.

Yes, mainly short low speed journeys. I will give it a blast then. Thanks.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Time for a new car

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Time for a new car to take the dash fuse out.

😊

 

[JB052]

If its mainly short, low speed journeys, I would also take a look inside the breather (where you add oil if needed) cap and see if there is any sign of oil/water emulsion starting to build up restricting the engines breathing. As other have indicated a good brisk run (my garage calls it an Italian Tune Up) would also be beneficial.

 

[Jody]

Thanks.
I have a friendly garage that does my servicing etc so hopefully they can help.

Could be almost anything. Get it read if your garage is helpful and see where you go.

Ask them for the error codes that have been stored

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Et voila.