Engine Management Light

[myths63]

Hi,
Have done a quick search but can anybody explain what could cause the Amber Engine Management Light to flash whilst driving first thing in the morning, only lasts 30 odd seconds & the car doesnt seem to run as smooth, it then just sorts itself and is fine for days if not weeks!!!

Its an '04 Freelander 1.8.....has been serviced totally by myself (plugs/oils etc) but it has been doing this before/after service....someone mentioned on here that no faults show up if i was to hook her up to a scanner so dont want to waste money doing that!!!!

Thanks in advance

 

[Nodge68]

The ECU should store a MIL event. I suspect is a misfire that the ECU is detecting. Does is still do it if the low fuel level light is on?
Rather than paying for someone to read, buy a basic reader off ebay for around £20

 

[td4van]

Flashing means its a catalyst damaging misfire.

The ecu should have codes stored for this.

I would check the coil packs and spark plugs

 

[WLJayne]

I'm having exactly the same problem, I suspect it's my crappy plugs!

 

[myths63]

Hi,
Plugs were just changed yesterday but it was doing it before i changed them & still did it first thing this morning......just back from a long run & she drove fine.

As i said it only does it now & again & lasts for about a minute.......the fuel tank was below a quarter full this morning, will try & get a scanner hooked up & check the codes......could be anything from fuel related to the ECU.......WHY IS NOTHING SIMPLE!!!!!

Ian

 

[Nodge68]

I'm having exactly the same problem, I suspect it's my crappy plugs!

What plugs are in there? I use standard OE plugs which have always been up to the job.

 

[Nodge68]

Hi,
Plugs were just changed yesterday but it was doing it before i changed them & still did it first thing this morning......just back from a long run & she drove fine.

As i said it only does it now & again & lasts for about a minute.......the fuel tank was below a quarter full this morning, will try & get a scanner hooked up & check the codes......could be anything from fuel related to the ECU.......WHY IS NOTHING SIMPLE!!!!!

Ian

It's probaly a coil pack causing the misfire. If the low fuel light is on the ECU will disable misfire detection, hence the question

 

[myths63]

Hi,
Was going to look into getting new coil packs.....is it worthwhile buying 2nd hand?

The plugs the motor factor tried to sell me was the platinum tip ones that cost approx £10 each.....ended up with basic Denso ones that seem just as good.....

Ian

 

[Nodge68]

Hi,
Was going to look into getting new coil packs.....is it worthwhile buying 2nd hand?

The plugs the motor factor tried to sell me was the platinum tip ones that cost approx £10 each.....ended up with basic Denso ones that seem just as good.....

Ian

Try cleaning the coil pack and leads first. If the Denso plugs are platinum then they will be ok then they will be good for 60K miles, if not they will be dead in 20K