Hi all
Went to start her today, battery not turning engine over much, gauges all over the place so hooked up trickle charge for an hour or so nand started her up OK. However, the engine management light is on. Car seems to run OK.
Any suggestions please
Thanks
Yes, the engine light indicates that there are error code(s) stored.
You just need to plug an error code reader into the Onboard diagnostic port on the car and pick up the error code(s) to see what the problem is.
The management light wasn’t on before the battery went low. Car hasn’t been used much.
You could come up with some reasonable guesses as to what is wrong - what would they be?
The error code(s) will tell you what the problem actually is.
If it is something like battery over voltage, reset the code - it probably will not come back.
How is the code reset?
As if by magic if you cure the fault:-)
…or if you want more information try google with something like ‘how to reset error codes on MX5 MK3’
Whilst there lookup…
‘OBD2 error code reader’ and
‘obd port location on MX5 MK3’
Thank you
Does anyone in stoke on trent area have an OBD2 error code reader they could plug in for me please?
I prefer to own one as you never know when you will need it again. I’m to far away to lend you mine anyway.
This was a tenner off eBay.
Paul G
I would suggest you take it to CS Haynes at Newcastle (ST5) Colin will sort it at a very reasonable price I’m sure. They have several MX5 themselves and even run MX5 as courtesy car.
I own this model too, worked a treat on my 14 plate SEAT when it threw up lights on the dash. I removed the codes and all was well for a while until they came up again.
It worked well for what I wanted it for, in my particular case the codes were telling me porkies, well the car was. I took in in to my local garage with there hi tech stuff hooked up to the car, the equipement brought up the same codes, throttle position sensor at fault. The tech guy said I’m having none of that, I going for the battery is degraded (not holding a strong enough charge) he was correct, new battery fault sorted.
So while I waffle on just to say the cheap code reader does work and shows the same codes as more expensive stuff. I’ve not had cause to try it on the NC yet.
For the cost, it’s not worth not having an obd code reader.
Even if you know nothing about cars or how to fix them, everyone ought to have one.
Plug in, switch on the ignition, press a button on the reader, note the error code, then have an idea what it might be.
There will be a menu on the code reader to delete the error.
If it’s serious, the error will return, and if it does return with the same code, you can be confident what the fault is.
Consider that a garage will probably charge you £25 to read the code, you can purchase your own for £10.
As for your actual fault, it would be impossible to second guess, however, my son in laws passat was recently dropping in to limp mode, which turned out to be a defective battery in the end.
It could be a low battery voltage code, starting it up, letting it idle for 5 seconds or so then switching it off again and repeating 4 or 5 times with a good battery may clear the code and turn the engine management light off.
But as has been said, for a tenner get yourself an code reader.