Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[autobob]

The Emission light stays on ( engine icon). I bought a OBD-II code reader. It said no codes were found but I pressed the button again and it asked 'Erase?' although still not showing any code.  I erased and the Emission light went out.

It was okay for about 40 miles then the Emission light came back on and stayed on. I repeated what I did before - still no-code, then 'erase?' Light goes out. Forty or so miles later the light comes back on and stays on.

Have I got a dodgy code reader or is something else going on?

Be glad of any advice.

[Entwood]

The Emission light stays on ( engine icon). I bought a OBD-II code reader. It said no codes were found but I pressed the button again and it asked 'Erase?' although still not showing any code.  I erased and the Emission light went out.

It was okay for about 40 miles then the Emission light came back on and stayed on. I repeated what I did before - still no-code, then 'erase?' Light goes out. Forty or so miles later the light comes back on and stays on.

Have I got a dodgy code reader or is something else going on?

Be glad of any advice.

1997 model car is NOT OBDII compliant IIRC ... only OBDII cars are DBW ..

So the probability (if I'm right) is that your code reader and car are not communicating correctly... so anything can and will occur .. most of which is probably irrelevant ..

It "might" erase the code .. but you don't know which code .. and any code means a problem .. solution is to fix the problem not erase the code ..

[autobob]

Sorry Entwood - I have changed the car. My old 1997 Elite is now a 2002 2.2i CDX. Should have updated that info 

[Entwood]

OK .. .. not sure if the 2.2 is OBDII  ... I'll try and check ..

If it IS OBDII then you should be reading a code ...   

EDIT ...

According to this list it IS OBDII ... what reader are you using ?? Is it a commercial stand-alone or an ebay cheapo ??

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90479.0

[autobob]

Hi Entwood,

It's an Ebay cheapo I'm afraid - but as suggested by some other very respected guys on here. But I can see the danger in buying a cheap one. It's called a CAN OBD2  Code reader - Memoscanner u480  and cost £11.00

I've just noticed a picture on the Code Reader packaging which shows the engine icon with the words 'Service Soon' . As my newly acquired car is in fact due a service in terms of time ( i.e. it's been 12 months since the last one but only 6,000 miles ) - could this be why there is no code and and the light comes back on after erasing?

[Entwood]

Omega has no "service light" .. never has had .. ... only lights are "fault" indicators ..

[autobob]

Well, that just goes to show how little I know!!

Any other ideas or is it most likely to be a duff code reader?

Without a code, I don't suppose it can be taken any further - right?

[Entwood]

Well easiest solution is to read the codes ... I know its a long shot, but have you tried the "pedal trick" ... you may just get lucky as it sometimes works on 2.2's, otherwise it's getting it on another code reader and seeing what happens.

I don't know of anyone near you though.... 

[RobG]

The code you`re getting but not seeing is 0420

[Entwood]

The code you`re getting but not seeing is 0420

Possibly .. but mine stay out for a lot longer than 40 miles !!

[autobob]

Thanks Entwood, I will try the 'pedal test' as I have nothing to loose.

RobG, 0420 - Catalyst efficiency below threshold according to my little book.  Does this mean the catalyst will now be permanently in this condition? Can I do anything to rectify the problem other than replace the catalyst?

In a previous post on this subject, you mentioned  that poor petrol quality might be a cause. I fill up with BP standard unleaded so I'm not sure what else I could use.  Should I try an additive?

[Entwood]

0420/0430 common on the DBW cars .. there are 2 cats fitted in each downpipe - you only have the one downpipe!! (so you can only get 0420) - the sensors are before the first and between the 1st and 2nd, so they monitor the "pre-cat" as its called, as the sensors and/or the cat get tired they give false readings .. the main cat does all the work and your car will pass any emissions test.

There are several solutions ..

I wait until the code appears, then remove it and wait again .. takes about a year to come back .. but I think this is down to LPG quality in France as thats the only time it happens !! Principle is the same however ... reset as required

Decent fuel/drive it hard ... these 2 ideas are that the sensors/cats "coke up" .. decent fuel and some hard driving gets everything really hot and they "burn" clean ... seems to work for many

Move the 2nd sensor to AFTER the main cat ... involves some cutting/driling welding but will work

The one thing that WON'T work .. well not for very long .. is changing the cat to a cheaper one from fleabay .. no matter how new it is !!!

and all that presupposes that the fault IS 0420 ... which is not proven ... 

[Marks DTM Calib]

2.2, post the exact code, the fact it goes and comes back after a while could be something else particularly if its not that code (code earasing resets the block learn values).

I suspect you will be seeing an out of range fault or similar.

[Entwood]

2.2, post the exact code, the fact it goes and comes back after a while could be something else particularly if its not that code (code earasing resets the block learn values).

I suspect you will be seeing an out of range fault or similar.

He can't .. his reader won't do it !!! I've suggested to try the pedal trick . more in hope than anything else ... otherwise we have to find someone with a reader near Malvern, or where ever the OP travels to ....

[autobob]

Thanks for all your answers. The 'Pedal trick' unfortunately didn't work.

Entwood: I've heard the 'poor fuel' comment a few times but what is meant by that as I can only put in the tank what comes out of the pump - usually from my local Supermarket station. There are only two options I can choose from - standard or High octane.

I will give the 'hard drive' a go.

Many thanks.