Engine Diagnostics Light

[dunjamon]

Hi All,

As I was driving to work this morning the "Engine Diagnostics" indicator came on in my car. Does anyone know what this is down to? I've looked around on-line and found references made to the brake light switch, engine coil, lambda sensor...but the car itself appears to be driving fine. I'm a little worried as I drive a good 50-60 miles to and from work everyday.

Is there anyway of knowing for sure without going to SEAT? And is it gonna cost me a lot if I do go to SEAT?

Thanks

almost forgot...I have a 1.4i SE.

 

[RachIbiza]

You can get any garage to do a diagnostics to check what the fault is, you dont have to go thru Seat. Or use vag-com! it could be a number of things!

 

[dunjamon]

It's due a service soon anyway...but my main concern is the amount of motorway driving I do, I don't want it to cut out or anything.

 

[RUM4MO]

This might just have been a "one off" event, if that was the case, then the engine light will go out after 6 or 7 engine starts without any faults being present. I'd check your brake lights/switch to make sure they are still working - just to be safe. I think that other lights come on when its brake switch or lights though. If it comes on again and goes off again, then you should get it scanned as it could be a Lambda probe or just a spurious "bank 2 camshaft timing" problem, if it is a "bank 2 camshaft timing" problem then that is strange because your engine only has one bank of cylinders - but my wife's Polo 1.4 SE gets that code logged in winter!?! Now the way forward might be to buy yourself a Gendan VAG code reader for £40, I bought one just to have in the car - it only reads ENGINE + AUTO TRANS + SRS + ABS faults - but that might be enough for you. I've had the first lambda probe fail on my wife's car, firstly now and again but a few weeks later always - ie a "hard" fail. Mainly I'd expect you to "feel" a coil failure as the engine would end up firing only on four cylinders - and yes my wife's Polo 1.4 SE has also had that problem - I replaced the duff coil.

 

[dunjamon]

I've checked all the usual stuff, like lights, engine fluids, etc., and all these seem to be in check.

 

[Ric 2001]

Where you from? I've got VAG.com If you live close to me I could save you £45.

 

[dunjamon]

I live in Ashton-under-Lyne...near Stockport.

I'm free Saturday morning, so will most likely take it into a garage anyway.

 

[Ric 2001]

Fair enough live in Oldha, but could have saved you a few quid.

 

[dunjamon]

Thanks for the offer bud, but I've got a hectic weekend and only really have Saturday Morning free. I know a couple of garages round me who are decent so will try them out...doubt I'll go to SEAT though.

 

[dunjamon]

So I went to the garage; turns out the lambda probe 1 was the fault. The guy's reset it and said he'll get me a quote. How much should these cost with fitting? He was good enough not to charge me for the test too.

 

[RUM4MO]

£139 I think, plus labour - it is just a 0.5 hour job to remove the connection, slacken off the heat shield enough to get in from the back with a spanner and remove it and screw the new one in then plug it back it - then re-clear the fault code(s). You should make sure they fit either a genuine VAG one or a NGK after market one specifically wired up for that engine - same price and same item if you get either of the above as its NGK that VAG use.

 

[dunjamon]

Cheers bud...didn't wanna get ripped off.