aaargh orange engine managment light is on :(

1. Don_Dice Newbie Joined: Aug 2011 Edinburgh Posts: 21 Vauxhall Calibra 2.0 Saxo 1.1

   #1 16th August 2011, 17:29

   as above has just happened, and im pretty new to the saxo way of life. i have been searching on here and google to find out info but the question i need answering i cant find so...
   Is there a way i can test the ecu at home to find out what the fault is? On my vauxhall calibra if i cross two pins on the ECU diagnostic plug and turn the ignition on, the dash lights 'blink' a code to tell me what the fault is. Is there a similair way to do this cause i dont want to fork out £58 at my diagnostic place if i dont have to...
   The light just came on when i was doing normal driving.
   Ane help is appreciated
2. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #2 16th August 2011, 18:10

   Not really mate unless your buy yourself a diagnostic reader or know a mate with 1.Not all garages charge to scan your car.
3. Don_Dice Newbie Joined: Aug 2011 Edinburgh Posts: 21 Vauxhall Calibra 2.0 Saxo 1.1

   #3 16th August 2011, 18:21

   bugger oh well cheers for the info anyway mate
4. Don_Dice Newbie Joined: Aug 2011 Edinburgh Posts: 21 Vauxhall Calibra 2.0 Saxo 1.1

   #4 16th August 2011, 18:23

   although ive just changed the middle and back box on the saxo, would this have any bearing on the lambda at all??
5. f13sta Established Member Joined: Sep 2010 loughborough Posts: 2229 1988 ford fiesta mk2 1.4- 2001 black saxo furio (d

   #5 16th August 2011, 19:45

   is the car running ok? does it feel any different?
   
   if the answer to this is no then just leave it its doing no harm probs just a lambda sensor gone down
6. Don_Dice Newbie Joined: Aug 2011 Edinburgh Posts: 21 Vauxhall Calibra 2.0 Saxo 1.1

   #6 16th August 2011, 20:37

   seems to be running ok mate, its idling fine and not stuttering at all but i thought a sympton of a dodgy lambda was irratic idling?
7. f13sta Established Member Joined: Sep 2010 loughborough Posts: 2229 1988 ford fiesta mk2 1.4- 2001 black saxo furio (d

   #7 17th August 2011, 19:07

   nope if the light didn' come on the you'd never know.
   
   irratci idling is due to idle contol valve. the lambda controls the fuel/ air mixture going into the engine. so if its reading wrong them normally they use a little more fuel.
8. Aureol Newbie Joined: Aug 2011 Derbyshire Posts: 12 Saxo 1.1 'Forte'

   #8 18th August 2011, 01:55

   Funnily enough, I also got the dreaded engine management light last night, as I was driving back from Matlock Bath. The performance hadn't changed in the slightest and, having been plugged in to a diagnostics reader today, it was just a sensor which had thrown a wobbly and the light was reset.
9. jailbreakvito Regular Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Leeds Posts: 296 1.1 2001 Forte

   #9 18th August 2011, 23:05

   I had the same thing other day... Engine misfired when turning it on... Took it to my local garage... Said it was a misfire reset the light and all for free... I love my mechanic
10. Don_Dice Newbie Joined: Aug 2011 Edinburgh Posts: 21 Vauxhall Calibra 2.0 Saxo 1.1

    #10 19th August 2011, 21:32

    ill get it on a diagnostic at some point then, considering the price of both lambda's id rather be sure i get the right one sorted.