Hi all. I have the following problem: after a longer drive, 50-60-sh miles , the “check engine” light comes on. After that everything seems to stay same way. Engine is reeving as usual, it’s not sluggish or restricted. If I remove 30apm fuse in fusebox at engine bay, and then press brake couple of times, insert back fuse and start engine few times, problem immediately disappears for next few days.
From what I’ve read , this might be something related to some sensors ?
Maybe I could get some error reader and then be sure what needs to be replaced.
You got it - that is exactly what you need to do. I gather from a previous post that you have a MK2.5 car. These cars have an onboard diagnostic port under the dash by the driver’s right knee that can be interrogated with a reader for stored error codes. Get yourself a OBDII reader and when the engine light comes on again see what is amiss.
If you cannot make sense of the code(s) put them up here and we will assist.
My money is on it being a catalyst efficiency or an oxygen sensor code. The catalyst and O2 sensor is only checked when certain driving parameters are met and I’d guess that during a longer drive you are achieving those parameters. As Rhino suggested, get a code reader and report back.
This could be one (or a number of) a few thousand error codes, so you’ll need to export the data out of the ECU to find out what the problem is.
Asking what the problem might be without knowing what the error code is, would be like calling your doctor, telling him that you’re ill, and asking what you should take for it.
If you manage to find the error code, then someone on here will definately help.
I guess one thing to consider is a garage will charge you about the same price to read the error code as you buying your own code reader.
Hi all. Just a quick update: I’ve bought U480 fault reader, which is said to be compatible with MX5 MK2.5 and up. It should arrive by beginning of next month. I’ll post fault codes as soon as I’ll get the reader.
PS. Just hoping it’s not the rear O2 sensor causing problems (mx5 have two of these right ?), which is harder to replace than the front one.
Alright guys, I’ve received my OBD2 fault reader this morning and I’ve just plugged it to MX5. Even though the check engine light was off, it still got 2 errors reported. The codes are: P0011 and P0012, which I found to be something related to crankshaft position sensor ??? Here I’m kinda surprised , cause I really thought MX5 have mechanical timing instead of electronic. I didn’t know ECU is actually involved in this in such a old car. Pardon me, I’m just rookie when it comes to MX5
I’m inclined to go along with Robbie on this one, sounds more like exhaust related than a VVT fault. I’ve no means of checking either code now as my Mk2 Manual went with the car, and any codes I have downloaded relate to Mk3’s more than Mk2.5’s (P1***)
Also - no engine size given, so VVT only applies to the 1.8L version - not to the 1.6L. (Crystal Blues came in either version, though mainly 1.8’s I think.) - does anyone really know?
There were only six Crystal Blues at Gaydon, 2002 National, mine was one of them; strangely (not really) more have appeared since! - that figures!
This is weird - I just clicked on the link I posted and got a not secure warning before the URL - everything else as expected. Re-did the link with what appeared to be exactly the same text and the warning has gone.
Um, guys about this “thanking” is this button above post saying “thank” enough to highlight someone’s message being useful ? Or is there some other way ? Just asking cause I’m quite new on forums. And back to main topic, I’ve done over 60 miles already and no EML light on yet. Could it be that issue was purely about error being wrongly registered while it shouldn’t ? I really hope so Cause even with those codes before and with EML on, there was completely no change in engine behaviour. Only thing to notice, that was on since I got car, is that my MX5 is quite easy to stall when starting to move, but I guess negative temperature contribute to this.
Hi Crystal Blue. If you just want to acknowledge someone’s post hit the “thanks” button, like I’ve done with Rhino’s, if you need to elaborate do a “quote” of the part of their message that’s relevant and then add your comments/thanks, as I’ve done with yours. Hope that makes sense.
PS: A click on the “thanks” button would confirm that it is! Or a “Quote” post with a would show it wasn’t!
Cause even with those codes before and with EML on, there was completely no change in engine behaviour. Only thing to notice, that was on since I got car, is that my MX5 is quite easy to stall when starting to move, but I guess negative temperature contribute to this.