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Original poster

Car engine management light…..

46 replies

Dancinginthemoonlight11 · 04/12/2022 11:12

Just looking for some reassurance that my car isn’t going to blow up really….

It is under Cazoo warranty and I’m awaiting a call tomorrow to book it in for a diagnostic, so in the meantime I thought I’d ask for some advice on here!

Has anyone had their engine light come on (amber) and for it to be a quick fix?? The car is 2019 with 38k miles on it, it randomly came on yesterday whilst we were on a long drive. It seems to be driving fine and no funny noises, it’s pulling away fine etc.

We haven’t had it long at all and anxiety is through the roof! My due date is a month away and just want the dreaded amber light to go away!!

OP posts:
Rockbird · 04/12/2022 11:25

Yes mine came on the morning it was going for its MOT. Can't remember what they said it was but it was something pointless like some dirt on something. They only even mentioned it because I asked them. I was prepared to get the car scrapped!

ThisMustBeMyDream · 04/12/2022 11:28

Yeah, it can come on for minor issues. Well, not exorbitant cost things anyway.
My DPs is engine management light is currently on because his speedometer stopped working. Took it for diagnostic yesterday and it is just a sensor. Told under £100 for repair.

Original poster
Dancinginthemoonlight11 · 04/12/2022 11:40

Thank you!!

Gosh all thoughts went through my head with £1000s worth of work. Doesn’t help it happened on a Saturday and Sunday most mechanics are shut!!

OP posts:

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MargaretThursday · 04/12/2022 11:45

Mine has been on almost permanently since I got it (not new to me). It goes if we do a really long motorway drive, so we just time that before the MOT.

What I do which is reassuring is check the error codes. Mine are something like 3456E and 707something. As long as neither have changed then I know it's the same thing.
Google for checking the error codes. I get them by pressing the brake and accelerator down hard and only doing 2 clicks of the key. It then comes up where the milage normally is.

Original poster
Dancinginthemoonlight11 · 04/12/2022 12:16

@MargaretThursday this is really helpful thanK you! I’m going to try and see if I can get the codes to show… I didn’t realise you could get your own code readers online

OP posts:
SpottyStripyDuvet · 04/12/2022 12:26

Mine came on the about 6 weeks ago. No noises or anything else. The garage could only fit me in a fortnight later but didn't seem concerned. It was the oxygen sensor and cost £484 to replace.

YogaLite · 04/12/2022 12:42

Mine comes on after going fast on eg dual carriageway or similar for approx half and hour and can stay on for days.
But then out of the blue would go out again until next time.

Thing is I had it investigated twice at £100 each time and they just twiddled something and returned the car saying don't worry, it's oversensitive sensor or some such.

It even gone through MOT twice when the light was thankfully out and the bloody light still behaves the same way.

alpacajuice · 04/12/2022 12:46

If you can find out the code and what it means there's a website called click mechanic.

You can put your postcode and reg no in and look to see how much they charge- they state they're cheaper than a garage but it'll give you a quick idea!

Has really helped me in the past!

Only used the company once but the mechanic was super helpful!

username8888 · 04/12/2022 12:48

It should be under warrenty still? Google it and it will tell you the likely causes.

PS i have to google how to open my bonnet to put in screenwash and I've had the car 2 years.

Tootsey11 · 04/12/2022 12:54

It can come on for the simplest of things like low brake fluid. Or as someone else said a bit of dirt.

I cannot believe someone else upthread paid over 400 quid to replace an oxygen sensor. You were robbed.

RudolphTheGreat · 04/12/2022 12:58

I wouldn't worry too much, back in the day we didn't even have these lights and you drove your car until it made a strange noise or was acting up, so it's probably something minor. Ours get triggered if dh puts the air con on full whack and sometimes I don't know how he triggers it but turning the engine off and on again sorts it right out lol.

Shade17 · 04/12/2022 13:24

Could be something trivial or very serious, the only way to find out is to run diagnostics and then for someone to correctly interpret the results.

Iluvfriends · 04/12/2022 13:32

If a diesel car could be the DPF filter. My light is on, for a 3rd time, as the DPF filter hasn't regenerated itself and is blocked.
Another trip to the garage.

mummyh2016 · 04/12/2022 13:33

We have diesel cars and 9/10 it's the DPF.

Original poster
Dancinginthemoonlight11 · 04/12/2022 13:38

Yup it’s a Diesel sigh !

Thanks everyone I’m less anxious now but fingers crossed it’s something minor 😬

We do have a good mechanic near us so if cazoo don’t hurry up with a appointment I might just pop in there as I’m not enjoying the wait haha

OP posts:
Heronatemygoldfish · 04/12/2022 13:47

I have the same thing. Came on, went off after a week, then came back on and stubbornly refuses to sod off. Vw quoted me 190 quid just to do a diagnostic!!!! Oddly enough, haven't done that... and yes, diesel.

1001Daffodils · 04/12/2022 13:47

Mine went one because one of my spark plugs had a worn connector. Not enough to affect the car starting and obviously didn't affect ordinary driving but enough to trip the computer. Cost virtually nothing to replace.

Fingers crossed yours is simple too 🤞🏻

Iluvfriends · 04/12/2022 14:42

In most cases with the diesel filter an approx 15 mile steady journey on the motorway should clear it if it is the filter. Make sure you have plenty fuel too. Unfortunately I think something is preventing mine from regenerating.

Original poster
Dancinginthemoonlight11 · 04/12/2022 14:43

DP is hoping it’s a worn spark plug….

Who knew a little bastard light could cause so much worry haha x

OP posts:
purdypuma · 04/12/2022 17:04

Engine management lights come on for all manner of reasons. Mine came on as the EGR valve had stuck causing the DPF to get clogged. 600 quid later & a new EGR valve but my cars an 11 year old diesel that doesn't do half as much motorway driving as its been used to in the past. Good luck getting it sorted.

Shade17 · 04/12/2022 17:09

Dancinginthemoonlight11 · 04/12/2022 14:43

DP is hoping it’s a worn spark plug….

Who knew a little bastard light could cause so much worry haha x

I can say with 100% certainty it’s not a spark plug issue 🤣🤣

Oakbeam · 04/12/2022 17:09

DP is hoping it’s a worn spark plug….

Diesels don’t have spark plugs.

They have glow plugs but that isn’t serious enough to trip an engine management light.

Original poster
Dancinginthemoonlight11 · 04/12/2022 18:41

Oops maybe I miss heard him 😅

So with the engine light is it when it’s flashing or red it’s the major cause for concern?? X

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 04/12/2022 18:47

Mine came on in June and was an oxygen sensor (think it cost about £150ish to replace).

it then came back on again in September, I took it to the garage and the same code came up! I was fuming, they turned the light off and had a look at the sensor which was a bit dirty. It hasent come back on so I’m guessing all is fine.

LIZS · 04/12/2022 18:49

Mine was a misfire, so various parts were cleaned. I think red is don't drive, flashing/amber refer to garage for diagnostics.