Ignorance is bliss

[Dunetune]

Hello all, as someone that knows nothing mechanically I would appreciate any help with a warning light that came up on our dashboard yesterday. I hope you can see the picture attached (my IT skills are not great either), but if not the coil illuminated yellow and started flashing. The van was being driven slowly at the time, as we were in a safari park. The van was then parked up and on starting the van for the journey home the light didn't come on at all. So do I need to get the van to the garage for a diagnostic or do I have to wait for the light to come on again?
Thanking in advance. Andy

 

[Morvan Freevan]

I believe the orange coil warning light coming on/flashing while driving is indicative of an engine management fault, possibly EGR based (depending on the mileage) but can also be turbo, fuel system or other sensor errors/faults. It is often accompanied by limp mode. Best to get the ODB scanned for the fault codes and rectify as appropriate. It is not always serious but can be. Don't ignore it.

 

[Dunetune]

Thanks very much. I'll book the van in to be checked and hope for the best that it's not on the serious side


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[Hawthorn37]

Other historic posts on this indicate EGR or DPF faults have been the cause.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Other historic posts on this indicate EGR or DPF faults have been the cause.

If this might be the case then I'd recommend a 30+ minute drive at motorway speeds using manual and holding revs above 3k for extended periods when safe to do so, after filling from empty with Shell V-Power. It has excellent cleaning chemicals and has been known to clear a few EGR and particularly DPF issues over the years.

I recommend using every 4th tank as a minimum. It also gives greater mpg and extends engine life.

 

[LRGS253]

I had the same on mine and performed a forced regeneration to clear the DPF (you can do this with a Carista OBD reader). Automatic regeneration does not happen if fuel is less than 1/4 tank. I run around low on fuel for a while on short journeys and this is what caused mine to clog. Has been absolutely fine since and now make sure fuel tank is over 1/4 tank.

 

[Dunetune]

Hi all,
Thanks so much for your replies, some great information there. Yeah I am guilty of using the van on mainly short runs bar the odd road trip (i'm trying to keep the mileage relatively low). So again excuse my ignorance but should I take it to the garage to get diagnosed first or do as suggested and try the Shell v power etc to see if that helps? As mentioned the warning light isn't coming on currently. Many thanks


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[Hawthorn37]

I think that it’s useful to find out what the actual fault is, which the garage should determine from plugging in an ODB2.

The regime of burning off carbon via ‘hot runs’ can help, also add a diesel cleaner additive (like Wynns) before the hot run plus every other tank full. In my experience however it just kicks the can down the road for a while, it doesn’t fix the issue.

I’d see what you’re facing first.

 

[Dunetune]

Thanks Hawthorn, that all makes sense and I appreciate the advice about the additive. I'll book it in and hope for the best! Have a good Christmas all.


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[flying banana]

Ah. That save the environment by caning it down the motorway for no other reason. I'm sure the environment is loving it. But on a serious note, that will probably fix it

 

[sidepod]

Short journeys kill modern diesels. Sad but true.

 

[sidepod]

Pretty much sums it up.

 

[colintfcolintf]

I often think it’s a pity there isn’t a button on the dash to enable a regen when you want it. 2 out of the past 3 long 2-4 hour journeys it’s done a regen just upon arrival at destination. Pity I couldn’t have forced it enroute while at at 70 on motorway / dual carriageway.

 

[Dunetune]

Again excuse the ignorance but how do you know that the vehicle has done a regen? My van is a 2018, so how often do I need to do a long run to avoid issues? The most it ever gets is a about a 20 mile run to work with the odd exception of like a road trip to Europe in the Summer.


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[colintfcolintf]

The clue I get is tickover is higher than normal so with my T6 for example when in “D” and I lift off the throttle while going down hill for example I can see higher tickover than normal. Others will be able to give a better detailed description.

 

[sidepod]

Again excuse the ignorance but how do you know that the vehicle has done a regen? My van is a 2018, so how often do I need to do a long run to avoid issues? The most it ever gets is a about a 20 mile run to work with the odd exception of like a road trip to Europe in the Summer.


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Start saving for the big bill.

 

[Dunetune]

Great, that's cheered me up on Christmas day!


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[andy172]

I’d second the get an OBD reader to read the codes - could save you a lot of money. I got this light a while ago and it came up as an exhaust gas sensor on the reader, I did some research and it turned out that the squirrels/foxes had been eating the cables under the van. It’s happened again the other day as it happens but went away again so probably a loose connection. I managed to fix it with a lighter and a £5 box of shrink wrap cable protectors. Hopefully it’s this!

 

[Dunetune]

Thanks Andy, It's a great feeling when you manage to solve it yourself. A colleague has recommended a Carista OBD reader (it's on sale at the moment for £32), does anyone have any experience of it? As I keep mentioning I'm pretty clueless with motors so is still worth getting one myself?


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