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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To risk using my car with engine management light on

66 replies

Damonlufc88 · 23/03/2019 09:12

Got the orange light last night as I was just pulling home from work at 9pm. Its been a little loud and juddering for a couple of days now. MOT and service is booked for Tuesday anyway. My ASD son has his swimming class today 11 miles away, do l risk the car as have no plans to use it until I take it the garage Tuesday.

OP posts:
sonjadog · 23/03/2019 09:13

I wouldn’t.

Tartanwarrior · 23/03/2019 09:14

Nope- don't risk it for a swimming lesson

Sirzy · 23/03/2019 09:14

As you know it isn’t driving right then I wouldn’t risk it.

Worst case scenario would be being broken down with your son in the car and the problems that would cause!

domton · 23/03/2019 09:15

I would if you have cover, if it's been dodgy for a few days can't were 11 miles killing it. I'm a bit blase about these things though.

Duchessgummybuns · 23/03/2019 09:16

Sounds like you might need a new coil set, which means you’re likely to stall. But there could be other more serious reasons. I would get it looked at.

Cwtches123 · 23/03/2019 09:18

No, you could do serious and costly damage! Not worth if for a swimming lesson.

GetsIt · 23/03/2019 09:20

On a slightly more positive (and probably unhelpful) note my mk4 golf used to fling the engine management light at me for the most random things..... Brake light bulbs for example!

Original poster
Damonlufc88 · 23/03/2019 09:21

It's been booked in for MOT and service for Tuesday since before this anyway and today is all I'll need it for really. He won't be able to go swimming next week as its a supervised session where parents join in and my youngest has a party next week, he hasn't been invited to many so I'm taking him there and wife is working next weekend.

OP posts:
SisyphusDad · 23/03/2019 09:26

GetsIt
Had the same problem with the brake light bulb. The reason is that the engine management system reduces the fuel flow when you brake and for some reason it can't cope with a blown bulb. Confused

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 23/03/2019 09:26

We do but we know what's wrong with it and it does eventually sort itself. It's a dodgy fuel injector that does unstick itself in the end. We've been driving it like that for a couple years now.

Deadbydaylight · 23/03/2019 09:26

Drive it then. You want to and you don't want to listen to us. Just don't complain if your engine explodes and you need to spend a few grand on a new one or a new car.

Streamside · 23/03/2019 09:29

I broke down recently and it was horrendous to see the management light flash quickly then the shop light.I had seconds to try and pull my car into a safe area and it's not something I'd want to happen if I'd a child with me.

Meandmetoo · 23/03/2019 09:31

I would do that short distance if I knew it was definitely coil pack, sounds like it but it could be crank shaft sensor too (I have also driven with a dodgy one of those too for a few days)

Depends on the age of the car and how you feel generally about risk.

Original poster
Damonlufc88 · 23/03/2019 09:31

DEADBYDAYLIGHT chill out. I don't want to drive it. I want feedback off others that's all.

OP posts:
bloodywhitecat · 23/03/2019 09:31

It could be something as simple as a dodgy sensor or it could be something major but you have no way of knowing until it is hooked up to a fault reader. I wouldn't be making unnecessary trips in it if it were mine.

hazell42 · 23/03/2019 09:34

Mine has been on for 2 and a half years because it is I overdue for a service and i cant afford a service.
Is it driving ok?

Shelbybear · 23/03/2019 09:37

I wouldn't I'd take it straight to the garage.

However, my husband had an engine management light that used to come on sometimes and go off. Garage couldn't find anything wrong with the car and it never broke down.

You say it's been making a noise though too. I wouldn't risk it for a journey 11 miles away with a child.

Elloello · 23/03/2019 09:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Deadbydaylight · 23/03/2019 09:40

You're the one that, despite everyone saying don't do it, is still making excuses for why you should.

If you want to take the risk, know the possible consequences. You could at worst case blow up the engine. Meaning new car/engine. If you can afford that then go to the all important swimming lessons. If you can't don't go.

LateEaster · 23/03/2019 09:41

It's only a swimming lesson. No!!

Deadbydaylight · 23/03/2019 09:41

For what it's worth, check your oil level. At the very least if you're going to drive it, make sure it has enough oil. It probably doesn't if its due a service. Which could also cause engine failure.

obviouslymarvellous · 23/03/2019 09:44

I would drive it - I had a Touran that used to do this all the time. There was nothing wrong with it just a faulty sensor. If it is running ok then drive it. How would son be if car broke down I only ask as I have dd with sen. Also the routine will be broken if you don't go will he mind? Also my dh drove his car some 500 miles the other week and engine light came on... it was a faulty sensor again. If it sounds ok then it's up to you

Whatdoyouknowwhenyouknownowt · 23/03/2019 09:45

If it's orange, not flashing, ok to drive a bit. Orange & flashing, not so good, red is don't drive & get immediate attention.

I would say if it's booked in for a service, that's all the garage will be expecting to do. Running diagnostics needs booking in separately, I would think. If you have the AA, they can run a scan. As can anyone with the appropriate software.

Singlenotsingle · 23/03/2019 09:46

Have you got breakdown cover? If so, I'd go for it. EM lights go on for all sorts of silly reasons, and often they go straight off again.

AlpacaLypse · 23/03/2019 09:48

It's making funny noises 'a little loud and juddering for a couple of days now'.

I wouldn't take it anywhere other than to the garage.