12 replies to this topic

[stevedude2]

Hi all

The engine warning light on my MX-5 came on whilst I was driving on Sunday. I booked it in to be looked at tomorrow along with a problem with my screenwash (leak), but yesterday after undoing the petrol cap and putting it back on the light went out.

The car is an 05 plate, and to hook it up and get an error code from the ECU is £70 per hour.

Question - would you still spend the money to diagnose the possible engine fault, or would you leave it for now and see if it comes back? The car is running perfectly well and I haven't noticed anything amiss.

Any advice would be appreciated

[straekseims]

i got an mx 5 mate but its the eunos import £70 for a diagnostics thats dearer than mazda themselves they charge £40 for diagnostics usually. If you can get the error code, try ringing MX5parts.com down in portsmouth they will tell u what the fault is, or just give em a bell and tell em what happened and u will probly get the answer for free,

just one thing tho m8 when u fill it with petrol do u fill it to the brim or just till the pump cuts off??

coz if u brim it u have an overflow pipe and if its blocked u can get fuel build up in the boot (dangerous) which also give off a strong smell or petrol from the boot

hope this helps m8

[stevedude2]

No idea but I'd get rid sharpish. I'll give you a tenner for it

Hehe

[stevedude2]

i got an mx 5 mate but its the eunos import £70 for a diagnostics thats dearer than mazda themselves they charge £40 for diagnostics usually. If you can get the error code, try ringing MX5parts.com down in portsmouth they will tell u what the fault is, or just give em a bell and tell em what happened and u will probly get the answer for free,

just one thing tho m8 when u fill it with petrol do u fill it to the brim or just till the pump cuts off??

coz if u brim it u have an overflow pipe and if its blocked u can get fuel build up in the boot (dangerous) which also give off a strong smell or petrol from the boot

hope this helps m8

Hi there

I'm taking it to a Mazda dealer and they quoted £70. Maybe if I shopped round I could get it cheaper. MX-5parts is a good shout. I think they do self-diagnosis kits for around a tenner so that could be an idea

When I fill it up with petrol I wait until it cuts off.

I guess as long as the light is off and it's running well I can relax a bit. Buys me some time to get a cheaper diagnosis

[lincs1]

my m8 had the same problem with the engine warning light coming on but it went off when he did 100 mph on a motorway.


but on the other hand its best to get it checked out as the ECU is the brain for the whole car, it could be all or nothing but best get it checked

[sharpy2005]

Hi Steve,

You will more than likely find out that it is a faulty lambda sensor in your exhaust which is causing the management light to come on. Totally harmless (other than the car will use more petrol than it normally should) but it will fail the MOT when the time comes, due to the emissions test.

Hope that helps!

[tara10825]

Diagnostic ODB2 fault reader on eBay, also, Diagnostic Tools Equipment, Garage Equipment Tools, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 04-Mar-09 18:34:16 GMT)

Install software on laptop and plug in and go you done. Hope this helps

[stevedude2]

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

I took it in to Mazda today. I rang up in advance yesterday to tell them to fix the screenwash but leave the engine management for now. Due to some sort of communication breakdown they hooked it up anyway and got a error code for a harmeless sensor somewhere (might well be the one you suggest Sharpy), but seeing as the light is now off I'm going to leave it and get it sorted if it comes back.

They looked at the screenwash but couldn't find anything wrong. I assured them that there had to be a leak somewhere, so they looked again and still didn't see anything. I'll just keep an eye on it and see what happens.

All in all they had the car for the day and didn 't charge me anything for the time they spent on it, which was cool

[stevedude2]

Diagnostic ODB2 fault reader on eBay, also, Diagnostic Tools Equipment, Garage Equipment Tools, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 04-Mar-09 18:34:16 GMT)

Install software on laptop and plug in and go you done. Hope this helps

That looks ideal. Might have to get one of those - Cheers!

[spa]

I'll send you a duff bulb for 50p. That'll sort it

[cardie]

just check most important things liek coolant level engine oil and temperature etc if it seems to be running fnie then it most probably is

[straekseims]

also disconnect the battery if the warning light appears again , for around 60 secs as this reboots the ecu and will clear any faults if it comes back within 5 mins get it to a garage if its gone you just saved yourself a diagnostics charge, as some garages like to do a diagnostic check and find an old fault coz all they will do is....

disconnect the barrery for a few mins and come walking out of the workshop claming they have repaired it,, and charge you for aload of stuff u probly didnt need

also if its the lamba sensor you will get a strong smell of petrol from the exhaust usually

(you dont even wanna know what kind of bollocks i went through with mine 6 months ago. Lets just say over 600 miles in total and near 1k spent to have my car still running rich. In the end took it to a garage in my villege and they chucked it through the MOT for £50 how sick was i:bigeyes01:)