ECU Light on dashboard!

  1. Newbie Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 4
    #1
    My 1.6 VTR(2000) showing engine management light on dash.When a local garage hooked up code reader meter,the ECU wouldn't 'talk' to it.Am I right in thinking that a four digit code has to be input before the meter is capable of diagnosing the problem? And are 1111 or 0001 such codes? Many thanks for any help.Have read that Citroen would charge me over £600 for a new ECU!

    Lofty911
  2. Forum Section Moderator Joined: Apr 2009 Orpington Posts: 1406 My son drives a Poseidon Blue Saxo Mk2 1.6i VTR.
    #2
    Hi,

    If the engine warning light is on but the car runs then don't worry too much about a local garage not being able to read the ECU, you need to try another. No codes need to be entered but the reader must be able to speak to the ECU using the right protocol. Perhaps the garage didn't have the right reader or it was not plugged in correctly.

    If the car runs then the ECU should be ok.
  3. Newbie Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 4
    #3
    Very many thanks to you for your help.I am guessing here that by 'protocol' you mean some software on the plug-in meter that reads the ECU? And is there more than one sort of meter? Would be most grateful for your additional comments.
    Kind regards
    Lofty911
  4. Forum Section Moderator Joined: Apr 2009 Orpington Posts: 1406 My son drives a Poseidon Blue Saxo Mk2 1.6i VTR.
    #4
    Absolutely right. The software on the meter must speak the same language as the ECU.

    Does the car run ok then?
  5. Newbie Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 4
    #5
    Thank you once again. You will see from my questions that this sort of problem is a gap in my education! Yes, the strange thing is the car starts,runs and accelerates as normal but this,as I understand it, could be due to not just fuel injection or ignition but to anti-pollution.Am thinking I will have to go back to the mechanic who I first saw and ask him to take another look-it was all rather hurried anyway.

    Kind regards
    Lofty911
  6. Forum Section Moderator Joined: Apr 2009 Orpington Posts: 1406 My son drives a Poseidon Blue Saxo Mk2 1.6i VTR.
    #6
    Yes you are right again. It is likely to be emissions related if the car is running fine. It is worth another go as the fault code reader must be plugged-in properly, it is easy to not plug it in fully enough.