Emissions Control Light

4.2 V8 32v Naturally Aspirated - 414 bhp
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edge
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Emissions Control Light

Post by edge » Sun Nov 23, 2014 1:05 pm

So the car was resting up for the week while I was away.

Drove home yesterday from the airport and it felt a little rough, I put it down to the fact it was freezing and sitting out for the week, but didn't notice if a warning light was on.

Today it's the same and spotted that the warning light was flashing. I turned the car on and off and the warning is now constant. I'll check in a bit to see if the warning goes off and comes back on again.

Any suggestions other than a trip to the stealers? Assume it's ok to drive her up to them also?

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sweegie
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Re: Emissions Control Light

Post by sweegie » Mon Nov 24, 2014 10:16 am

Could be plugs or coil packs - without a means to scan the car, this is just guessing though. If the MIL light is flashing, that's bad and is likely doing damage to the catalytic converters. Steady on, you're usualy ok to contunue.

I take it you haven't invested in VCDS yet?
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edge
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Re: Emissions Control Light

Post by edge » Mon Nov 24, 2014 11:35 am

I realised how open this topic was just after I posted it..............

It’s been steady since, it only flashed on start-up and then I switched it off and on. I’ll be getting her scanned at lunch today to see what’s what.

I should just get a VCDS and save me the pain :)

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Re: Emissions Control Light

Post by adsgreen » Mon Nov 24, 2014 1:08 pm

Even a cheap 30quid obd scanner from halfords would give some insight.

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Re: Emissions Control Light

Post by adsgreen » Mon Nov 24, 2014 1:09 pm

If had to guess I'd say water in the plugs/connections causing a misfire. Worth getting some wd40 to clear them out.

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edge
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Re: Emissions Control Light

Post by edge » Mon Nov 24, 2014 3:11 pm

had to move it to 4pm for the scan... is there a cheaper reader than getting a VCDS?

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Re: Emissions Control Light

Post by adsgreen » Mon Nov 24, 2014 5:51 pm

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-fault-rea ... 0644533100

It will only give you the 4 digit standard ODB code but it will at least give you a clue. You should be also able to clear the fault memory.

VCDS will allow you get detailed logs and real time monitoring way over and above what base ODB2 can achieve.

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Re: Emissions Control Light

Post by Rick_RS4 » Mon Nov 24, 2014 8:55 pm

adsgreen wrote:If had to guess I'd say water in the plugs/connections causing a misfire. Worth getting some wd40 to clear them out.

id say this too, or condensation

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edge
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Re: Emissions Control Light

Post by edge » Tue Nov 25, 2014 5:10 pm

Coil pack.... quick replcement and job done

Think I need to get me a code reader, maybe not VCDS, but something cheap and cheerful that works!

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Re: Emissions Control Light

Post by adsgreen » Tue Nov 25, 2014 5:51 pm

sweegie wrote: If the MIL light is flashing, that's bad and is likely doing damage to the catalytic converters.
Also it can overheat the cat which can cause a fire as essentially un-burnt fuel is being shoved down the exhaust and combusting in the cat.

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