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[autobob]

Hi,

I bought a beautiful 2.2i cdx (2002) from a private seller. It has 59,000 on the clock - I believe to be genuine as I have the Service records and all previous MOTs and sundry bills. In fact, the guy took me and the car to a large garage outfit and had a brand new 12 month MOT passed before I bought it.

However, only two days in and the Emission warning light has come on and stays on. It most definitely was not on when I bought it. The car is driving fine I am a bit worried as I have read some previous entries on the subject here on OOF which have indicated a potentially troublesome problem to rectify. The actual emissions must have been okay when the MOT was carried out just a couple of days earlier.

Is it okay to drive the car so long as there is no obvious change in how it drives?

Can driving the car in this condition do damage to it? Will it create a bigger or other problem elsewhere on the car? Should I stop driving immediately?

Lastly, is there any way the seller could have concealed this from me as it has happened so quickly after he sold it. I can't do anything about it as it was sold "Sold as seen", but I would just like to know.

Many thanks in advance - I just know someone will have the knowledge.

Rob

[RobG]

Emission warning light

"Engine" light, yes?

Is it okay to drive the car

Yes.

Can driving the car in this condition do damage to it

Nope, as long as light doesn`t start flashing.

Will it create a bigger or other problem elsewhere on the car

Shouldn`t do if the code is an "0420"

Should I stop driving immediately

Nope

is there any way the seller could have concealed this from me

Unlikely, probably just coincidence

[autobob]

Hi RobG,

Yes, it is the Engine icon.

That is such a reassurance, thanks a lot.

I don't see the code you referred to - or any code. Does this matter? If so, how do I get to see the code?

Any ideas on how I rectify the emission light and stop it coming on - or is it, as I suspect, a garage job?

RobG, you helped me with my old 1997 Elite - which I decided to let go in the end - hence this car.

Your help and knowledge is invaluable and is very much appreciated.


Regards,

Rob

[RobG]

how do I get to see the code

Cheapo OBDII code reader.

rectify the emission light and stop it coming on

If it is an 0420 code you can try using a decent fuel (ask seller what fuel/supplier he was using).

garage job

Forget that!!!!

The DBW`s are renowned for the 0420/0430 codes as it relates to the pre-cat/s (2 on the V`s) losing some of it`s efficiency over time hence the emission light throwing a wobbler. Normal procedure on the 2.6/3.2 is to relocate the lambda`s post pre-cat. With the 2.2 the occurrence of the code is significantly less so owners tend to just accept it and re-set the light with aforementioned code reader.

[Brikhead]

The DBW`s are...

Does the 'pedal trick' work on these?

It's used to get the codes without the use of a cheapo OBDII code reader and is performed as follows:-
You'll need a pen and a piecec of paper.
Sit in car with feet full on the brake and accelerator pedals, insert key into ignition and turn to position II, don't start the car.
If it works then the fault light will be flashing out fault codes, they are four digit numbers and zero is represented by 10 flashes.
There is a slight pause in between each set of four digits and the cycle will keep repeating untill you remove feet from pedals.

[RobG]

The DBW`s are...

Does the 'pedal trick' work on these?

It's used to get the codes without the use of a cheapo OBDII code reader and is performed as follows:-
You'll need a pen and a piecec of paper.
Sit in car with feet full on the brake and accelerator pedals, insert key into ignition and turn to position II, don't start the car.
If it works then the fault light will be flashing out fault codes, they are four digit numbers and zero is represented by 10 flashes.
There is a slight pause in between each set of four digits and the cycle will keep repeating untill you remove feet from pedals.

Some of the very early 2.2`s had that facility, code reader for the rest

[autobob]

All sorted!
Many thanks to Brikhead for his suggestion but thanks in particular to RobG who yet again came up with the right answer. I bought an OBD11 code reader as suggested and erased the offending code.

I have another problem now with the CCR2006 cd unit - but I'm off to the Elecectrical/Audio section to see if I can find an answer there.

What a great forum this is.

[TheBoy]

What was the code, autobob?

[Brikhead]

What was the code, autobob?

If it is an 0420 code you can try using a decent fuel.