2.0TDI yellow "Exhaust" warning light

[JMH]

Hi All
I've just joined the forum looking for help as the yellow "exhaust" warning lamp has just lit on my 2005 2.0TDI Sport 32,000 miles, has just lit up. The manual suggests that it may be the lambda sensor. Any suggestions as to what to look for before trying the dealers would be greatly appreciated. Typical that is went out of warranty on 12.7.08 ie just less than a month ago!!!

 

[Jochen]

Hello,
The light will come on if any faults are detected by the e.c.u which could effect the emmissions, so it could be a simple temp sender fault e.t.c. there are so many items that could bring that light on, you would need to get it plugged in at either a dealer or a specialist that has diagnostic equipment to read the fault code(s) from the e.c.u.
Best regards,
Jochen.

 

[JMH]

Hi Jochen
Many thanks for the quick reply. I was thinking the worst case so something less expensive than the lambda probe sounds a lot more acceptable. Out of interest, approx how long is a lambda probe expected to last? My SEAT dealer is about 20 miles away but we have a VW dealer in my local town - would their diagnostic equipment work on my engine? I guess it should do. Is there a member local to me who has VAGCOM?
John

 

[CrispDust]

Have vag com but i m very busy all this week/end and hols next!
Any Seat/audi/skoda/VW dealer can read your codes. Skoda probably cheapest!

 

[JMH]

Thanks CrispDust
Pity that you're too busy but I'll take your suggestion and try DM Keith (the local Skoda dealer) tomorrow and see what response I get.
John

 

[cherryone]

Thats a spooky, a thread appearing with the exact same fault as my 2.0Tdi got over the weekend, will be interested what the diagnosis is JMH as mine was out of warranty back in March and has covered 56k . Mind you did a thorough under bonnet/engine check to make sure all levels were ok and no leaks had appreared (don't know why though given the nature of the fault light). Fortunately it's not affecting the cars behaviour, as its running smoothly as usual and still returning 45mpg plus !

 

[JMH]

It's very worrying but, as others already said, it could be a lot of things - hopefully simple and cheap. I don't hold the main dealers in much regard so after a lot of searching on this forum and Google I ordered a code reader off eBay last night for £30. My logic was that the dealers would charge at least this much just for plugging in their diagnostic kit. It should arrive tomorrow so I'll let you know what the fault was.

Until I'd done the research I didn't realise how standard the OBD port and readers are and that they are a requirement for modern cars. Apparently the "U480 OBD2 reader" displays the fault code and can re-set the warning light.

I tried a couple of different ideas for re-setting the ECU/warning light - disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes / switching on the ignition for 30 seconds x 6 etc but the warning light is still lit - maybe the solutions were for older models?

 

[revo carl]

hi,

Has yours got a DPF (particular filter)? if so it's probably blocked (common fault) and it will need to be re-generated by your dealer as clearing the light will not solve the problem!

hope this helps!

 

[JMH]

I think the DPFs are a much more recent fitment thankfully. I just connected the scanner which showed P2108 and a Google search indicated "Throttle Actuator Control Module Performance" as the problem. I cleared the code and re-started the engine and the warning light hasn't re-lit so I'll monitor it and keep my fingers crossed. Has anyone else had a problem with this error code and/or does anyone know what it means? John

 

[JMH]

I spoke too soon - as soon as I set off the warning light came back on again. Can anyone tell me what a Throttle Actuator Control Module is and where it's located, so that I can check it? John

 

[JMH]

I phoned the Skoda garage in Wakefield today and they want £78.67 for plugging in their diagnostics for a "preliminary"!!! I don't suppose you have any free time this holiday weekend CrispDust? Please.

 

[dubstar_71]

I think the DPFs are a much more recent fitment thankfully. I just connected the scanner which showed P2108 and a Google search indicated "Throttle Actuator Control Module Performance" as the problem. I cleared the code and re-started the engine and the warning light hasn't re-lit so I'll monitor it and keep my fingers crossed. Has anyone else had a problem with this error code and/or does anyone know what it means? John

might be the acc pedal sensor going/being intermittant. if you had a full version of vag-com you could check it. see the live readings/etc...... i do but im in north wales near prestatyn, happy to do it for you but its about 1hr 30 from there i guess....

 

[JMH]

Thanks for the reply dubstar 71 and your generous offer. I'll have a look and see if I can locate the sensor. Everything about the car is normal and I haven't noticed any change in performance or economy so I'm hoping it's something small ) John

 

[CrispDust]

Sorry I'v been on hols and at work for 6 days now!

 

[MWG]

hello everyone

I have the same warning light on my car, its an 05 plate Altea 2.0 TDI with just over 30K on the clock. Seat assistance sent out a guy from AA, he read the code and cleared it and its taken a couple of days to come back. Rung Motorvogue Seat in Northampton and he said they wont be able to take a look till the end of the week and it should be ok to drive until then

JMH have you managed to get it fixed?

 

[realneal00_0]

Hi. I had the same problem with my cupra. sometimes the light would flash and be intermittent then it would come back on for a while and simply go off again. the first time i took it to the dealer and sod's law was that the intermittent fault wasn't on so they couldn't find anything wrong with it.
it then started to come on and stayed on. i thought my economy was going down but it may have been a psychological thing since reading the handbook does remind you that it could damage your exhaust and that you should go to a dealer.
the dealer picked up the car and said the error was with the warning light itself. i wasn't sure i believed them but they changed the light connection or something equally inexpensive and the light (fingers crossed) hasn't come back on yet.
bugger about your warranty running out just before.

 

[MWG]

Mine turned out to be a fault with the intake flap motor (can't remember the name of it exactly)

got it fixed by Motorvogue, took about an hour and fortunately i got a 1 year warranty when i bought the car (only had it 6 months) which covered the work, including labour it was over £400

Bit annoyed that it got the fault in the first place but am happy that its fixed