Engine warning light - what does it mean?

[Doors]

Hi all,

I just had my first warning light come on (98 GT3)- the MIL (malfunction indicator lamp) - it came on when I flawed the throttle for about 5 seconds and then went off when I let off the throttle. I drove home carefully and it didn't come on again.

Anyone know what this is? The manual hardly helps! and I'm naturally a bit concerned!

Many thanks,
Doors.

[adrianmugridge]

Doors,

Whenever the ECU detects a fault ( normally a sensor fault ) it lights up the light on the dash. Unless it stays on, I'd not worry about it. Mine sometimes comes on and then goes off again. For example, a few months ago it would always come on at the start of journey and go off after about 5 miuntes. It was tracked down to a sensor ( I forget which ) that was full of water.

You can take it to your dealer who will plug in and see what the problem is ( The ECU logs the fault for 20 starts ). If you get get hold of a cable ( you can make one if you're okay with a soldering iron ) and a laptop, you can download some excellant software called Freescan that will do the job as well. Look at www.andywhittaker.com/

To conclude, unless it comes on and stays on I'd not worry about it.

Adrian
97GT3
www.adrianmugridge.co.uk

[Doors]

Thanks!
That's a weight off my mind. I'm taking the car in to Bell & Colville next week to get an extended warranty from them - not sure whether I should tell them about it or not. I might try that software, though of course knowing what a problem is still wouldn't help me as I'd still not know what to do about it!

Cheers,
Doors.

[adrianmugridge]

Well indeed. But if it's something simple it can be useful. For example, I had the trottle replaced and shortly afterwards it was revving it's bollocks off when idling. When I plugged it I could see a throttle input of about 10% with my foot of the pedal. I couldn't fix it but at least I knew why it was revving so much !!

One other thing, I find the ABS light does the same thing. It's most likely a wheel sensor or something. It does not mean the brakes wont work, but the ABS will be turned off.

Adrian

[chrislotusatl]

i was told by Lotus USA that the engine light on that car is SUPER sensative. If it does not stay on though, it should not be anything too bad. You guys can also go on ebay and buy a Tech One, which is an old GM diagnostic tool which can read the fault codes but I am not sure how you get the actual software for it or the list of what the codes mean. That may not help but it is what I know for what that is worth.

Chris

[Doors]

Thanks guys,
However, the light has come on again - so I think I better get it checked - peace of mind etc.!I'll let you know what it is and if it was or was not important.

Doors.

[espritvolk]

If you look at the ECM Section in www.espritfactfile.com You can find the article "Reading ECM codes" and a list of trouble codes. It is very easy to do this check on your own. For me it was very helpfull last weekend when I had a broken MAT sensor on my GT3.

regards Volkhard