vtr 03 problem

  1. Newbie Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 8
    #1
    Hello everyone!
    This is my first saxo so not too sure about them so thought i would try my luck posting. if there is a guide or other posts the same then im sorry but did look but cant seem to find any.

    Ok so i got my self a nice 2003 vtr for a run about to get me to work. was fine when i test drove it but after about a week it started to get a very slight miss when taken my foot off the accelerator in 2nd or 3rd gear doing under 30, then its now seems to be doing it when i pull away but once im moving fast its fine. it starts up 1st time and ticks over with out a problem.
    The bloke i got car off said he hasnt ever had this problem and sort of know him so he would just tell me if he did.
    The airbag light is on but when i got it it had buckets(not now taken out) and an after market steering wheel thats still in and the engine management light is on but he said its been on for months and the garage said it was cos he had some 4 branch exhaust on? he had it plugged in to reset it bt just comes back on with no affects to the car at all?
    Dont want to start spending loads as it was got for a cheapish run so any ideas or help would be good!
    going to try swapping lambda sensor with a mates car and try his coilpack too! it does have a K&N cone filter on if that makes any difference?
  2. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #2
    Car needs servicing if that wasn't done.

    The air bag light is on because the air bag is missing, that will not get through the next MOT. new rules means the original steering wheel has to be in there.

    Quote:
    had it plugged in to reset it bt just comes back on with no affects to the car at all?
    Lambda sensor failing or simply not there.

    Quote:
    it does have a K&N cone filter on if that makes any difference?
    more noise and may suck up water, probably why you have a misfire. Besides, if you don't fix the problem and another one comes up, you won't see it.

    Quote:
    the engine management light is on but he said its been on for months
    not great for the car and fuel economy.
  3. Newbie Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 8
    #3
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Manu View Post
    Car needs servicing if that wasn't done.

    The air bag light is on because the air bag is missing, that will not get through the next MOT.



    Lambda sensor failing or simply not there.



    more noise and may suck up water, probably why you have a misfire.
    ive put some vts seats in now but havnt plugged the connector under seat up. but dont have a standard wheel? anyway of getting light off?
    Lambda sensor is there now as the man had the standard system apart from back box fitted.
    ive put some cleaner in fuel and he said he hadn't used it for a couple of weeks but kept starting it so maybe just needs plugs?
  4. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #4
    Yes, I'd do the plugs regardless, though I suspect your cone filter is sucking moisture in.

    Quote:
    but havnt plugged the connector under seat up. but dont have a standard wheel? anyway of getting light off?
    http://www.saxperience.com/faq/show-...e.php?artid=83

    Keep in mind your non factory steering wheel will be an MOT fail. Removing the bulb is also now a fail.
  5. Newbie Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 8
    #5
    yeah i didn't realise that as im into more older cars. will have to look for a steering wheel now!
  6. Newbie Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 8
    #6
    if i was to take the daft K&N off would a normal air filter fit with a strut brace fitted?
  7. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #7
    Yeah, it's just a box with a cold air feed that goes to the front. Usually when you fit a strut brace you only need to relocate the fuel cutoff.
  8. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2003 United Kingdom (England) Posts: 7064
    #8
    Has it got one or two lambda's fitted??
    As it should have two, pre and post cat.
    If ones not connected, or both read the same the engine light comes on!
  9. Newbie Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 8
    #9
    the sensors look very new! he did say he had new ones fitted but didnt say if he had it reset after.
    ive just been looking at it and took all the K&N off as the pipe that goes to the top of engine( breather pipe?) wasnt fitted very well and cleaned the intake, then put it back together but moved it slightly and it seems fine although the lights are still on.
  10. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #10
    If the sensors are there, plugged in and working then the next culprit would be the cat converter giving a reading of less than 98% efficiency.


  11. Newbie Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 8
    #11
    Would the engine management light just go off if they were fine? Are do I have to do something to reset it? And not having a steering wheel airbag won't make it come on just the airbag light?
  12. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #12
    iirc I think if the o2 readings go back to normal then the light disappears. Like you said they were replaced recently, so the problem might be the cat converter itself. You can reset by unplugging the battery for a few minutes, though it may come back if the cat converter isn't working properly. Like the guy in the video says, they'll trigger the sensor even if it just lost a few % efficiency. One tool I always tell people is to get an OBD 2 reader, they're 10 quid when most garages will charge you 25-30 for a code reading and fault clear.


    And yes if no airbag where it should be breaks the airbag closed circuit line continuity and the dash displays that. From that point I'd grab an airbagged wheel off of your local scrappy before your next MOT otherwise it's a guaranteed fail. If your car is fitted from factory with an airbag, then because of recent new MOT rules it should remain like that. The way to get around this one is a technicality: according to some others here the trick is to remove the airbag loom completely.
  13. Newbie Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 8
    #13
    So the airbag light won't make the engine manage my light go on? I will try and reset it by taking battery off and fingers crossed!
  14. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #14
    it's two different circuits, the airbag is a closed loop and independent from the ecu.
  15. Newbie Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 8
    #15
    Thought that but wanted to make sure! Better start looking for a steering wheel too