Engine Light ???

[COINERS]

Hi
Just recently bought my first car. Been reading this forum for a while now finally getting around to posting.
Just curious if someone could tell me what the little engine light means on the dash. It has a ! In the middle of it.
No one seems to know what it means and I don’t have a car manual or any thing like that. Ill posts a pic if I can figure this out.
Thanks guys
Mossy

[ElDubya]

It means something has gone wrong in your engine, be it a sensor or something, and you really shouldn't drive it until you figure out what the problem is.

[EDIT : And as if you would take photo's of your dash while you are driving]

[COINERS]

My mate took the photo while I was driving. He was the one that suggested that I post on here.
I had been to a number of mechanics. No ones know one can find out what it means. Even when the hook it up to the comps.
The guy I got the car for told me he was driving around with that light on for like 5 years.
Any way thanks for your help ElDubya I appreciate it

[s0sage]

is it constnat or does it ocme on once in a while?

does it come on after a certain length of time? does it come on accelerating?

tell us the details of why it comes on and when

[COINERS]

I tried to keep track of it when it happens. But it just seems to happen randomly.
It pops up every 20 – 30 mins. But it’s been know to turn off then turn back on after about 2 mins.
Thanks for your help guys. As I sad no one can give me a decent answer and these have been the best so far.

[ultimate_vn]

get ya computer checked and 02 probe

[s0sage]

have you checked your fault codes? or had them checked for you?
the engine light coming on is your cars way of alerting the driver that there is an issue somewhere in the engine bay .. wether it be a faulty sensor or something more serious.


try disconnecting the negative terminal of your car for about 10minutes. if its a 'ghost' then perhaps this might help the situation.

(disconnecting the battery acts to reset the computer in the car)

[Cheap6]

The light on means that the computer(ECM) that controls the fuel and ignition systems has recieved a reading from one of the sensors that doesn't match what it has been programmed to expect. The light turns on and off because the fault causing it only happens occasionally. Perhaps the value only just falls outside that programmed to turn the light on and is within the parameters most of the time. It also means that a fault code indicating what triggered the light to come on has been stored in the computer.

When the light next comes on, stop and check the fault codes. Actually, check the fault codes anyway. It is only matter of connecting a couple of terminals in an electrical connector together with a paper clip or short length of wire. How to do so will be on (an)other thread(s). I don't know which of the terminals in the connector to connect off the top of my head. Sorry. Maybe someone else will post back here for you. Post back the code and we'll sort it from there.

[COINERS]

thanks guys. ill do that next time im free. but as i work 6 days a week, 10 hours a day. time is the problem.
ill post back my findings.
thanks heaps

[PhatVN]

funny thing is.. it could be as simple as an electrical problem.. such as the light goes on when its not ment to :P.. if its been on for 5 years.. and ure car is running fine .. then stuff it imo

[Techo]

To check the codes you have to short out the 2 R/H sockets on your ALDL connector. The connector is located up under the passanger side kick panel under the glovebox.
Here's a diagram:

[COINERS]

oh sweeet. thanks techo

[Toby]

Has your machine duel fuel ? If so I have seen this before in gas conversions that just don't come up to scratch, It seem's to confuse the EMS and when you have your fault codes checked, Well then it confusers the mechanics.
may I say that only a HOLDEN could run for five years with a fault warning and still deliver driving pleasure If you are duel fueled and your concerned about the EMS indicator then have the gas system checked right down to the capacity of the delivery lines feeding your convertor, if your not duel fueled then check out the advice already given you by the others right down to a simple bad earth in the dash indicator. Good motoring

[michaelw]

You can get or very easily make a cable to read the ecu while you are driving. If you have a laptop you could log the faults as they occur. Take a look atthe sticky thread about diagnostic cables. You dont even need the plug a few paper clips, properly connected will do the trick.

Mike

[COINERS]

nah not duel fuel.

thanks guys. ill check it all out 2nite if i got time and let ya all know what happeend

mossy