General Engine display icon amber

[unclevanya]

2005 Fiat Panda 1.2 petrol. Amber icon 'engne' shaped came on whilst out driving. When vehicle stopped and engine switched off and restarted, amber 'engine' icon stayed on, even on reving engne a bit. I ahve consulted the user manual and it says something about fuel injection or emissions? should I get this car to the dealer to be looked at, or can I safely drive?

On other cars I've had, when this indicator came on, a reving of the engine often cleared the problem after switching off and allowing the engine to cool down.

 

[unclevanya]

I let my car engine cool down after driving earlier, then went out for a drive, and the amber 'engine' icon went out, so hopefully this is not a problem.

 

[joshhodgson]

Was the temperature gage okay? Were there any noises/did it drive differently? If it's okay now chances are it's nothing serious but it would be nice to know what it is!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I let my car engine cool down after driving earlier, then went out for a drive, and the amber 'engine' icon went out, so hopefully this is not a problem.

Well there will have been a problem for the light to have come on in the first place.

Get it connected to a code reader to find out what the issue is

 

[unclevanya]

Temperature gauage works and shows water temp at around half on the dial...

 

[unclevanya]

Took car in to have checked out. They said that a small coil had to be replaced and the EMS (electronic engine management system) reprogrammed/updated, also some other things 'tightenend up'...??. Drove home and the engine power faded a bit, and the amber 'engne icon' came on again. So am gonna have to Panda Active 1.1 back into the garage to be properly checked out again. At least it is under warranty. I jsut want my car working properly. A nuisance... but...

 

[unclevanya]

Panda Active 1.1 goes in for a full electronic engine diagnostics check on Friday. A few days ago a quick dignostics was done by the Vehicle Technician, however he says that there was 'other issues' when a small coil was replaced, and some "tightenng up" was done????

A full diagnostics will take a few hours? But this is better than driving around with the amber 'engine managment' icon 'on', or coming on intermittently, and for me to become paranoid about what is going to go wrong.

It might be the warm, hot humid weather?? Perhaps, but not likely. I haven't done anything to the car, unless possibly overfilling the coolant header tank with water...???

At least car is still under warrantly, and I suspect the garage main dealership does not want to accrue a poor reputation with its customers. I have dealt with this company for quite a few years now, and have found them honest and reliable.

 

[jrkitching]

The EML should not illuminate just because it's a hot day. The fault needs to be traced & rectified.

 

[portland_bill]

My guess would be a failing lambda sensor, but the diagnostic check should highlight the area. This would also fit with the loss of power.

 

[unclevanya]

Panda Active 1.1 was checked out today. I was not advised of anything specific, was told the problem is 'possibly intermitant??', and that the 'error code' was 'deleted??'

If this occurs again to bring the car in where the vehicle technician will strip the EMS (Engine Management System) down and check that all cables/wires etc are not worn or corroded?

(I had a Vauxhall Agila which had a problem where the EMS shorted out, and the old EMS unit had to be replaced with a new unit which cost me an arm and a leg (£750-00 pounds)).

I just hope my little Panda behaves itself and this problem with the amber 'engine icon' does not reoccur.

 

[portland_bill]

You have complained while under warranty. If the problem recurs, even out of warranty, it should be covered. Repairer not being capable of identifying the fault is not a reason to reject a valid claim later. So make sure the garage have recorded this diagnosis, record job number if you can, or get a copy, for evidence later is necessary.

 

[unclevanya]

Car checked out yesterday. collected and driven all alright. Driven again this morning, same problems occurred - slight power fade, engne icon light came on, engine felt like it was on 'kangaroo juice' slightly as engine 'dipped' then picked up. EM amber icon still 'on'.

Car has been rebooked for further checks for cable wear etc. The EMS will have to be dismounted, and all wires/cabling checked for wear/corrosion. Possible solution might be a completely new EMs unit, but will have to wait and see what the SP on this problem is.

I have let the car cool down, opened the bonnet and checked that there are no loose connectors etc. All plug leads are seated. Car started up, engine icon lights 'on' then went out as they should do when engine is running. This is really annoying, but as the car is under warranty, garage should sort this problem out ...... .. garage has a good reputation, just hope that I havn't bought a 'Lemon'.....

 

[portland_bill]

Although light gone out, the ECU should have stored a fault code. This should point the repairer in the right direction.

Your first post said Panda 1.2 petrol, later say 1.1 Active. Clarification would be nice, may assist any help from here.

The garage can only go on your report and any fault codes registered. If the problem does not present while they have the car it is difficult for them to identify and fix the fault. A bit of self-diagnosis may help you both. Don't necessarily need to post answers here, but providing them to the garage may help.

When and how does the failure occur?
Always at the same place?
Or after the same amount of driving?
When the car is working hard, e.g. uphill, or just a relaxed cruise?
After going down a long hill on the overrun?
Specific gears, or any?

Try running without the fuel cap. Does this make a difference? (See Doblo thread - cutting out)
Did this first occur soon after a fill-up? (Duff or contaminated fuel)
Have you filled up since elsewhere?
Any other info regarding circumstances.
Might be necessary for you to drive the car with a technician to demonstrate the fault.

Any other questions others may think of.

 

[unclevanya]

I thought it was a 1.2 Panda, but it is an 2005 Panda Active 1.1 petrol. You mentioned on fuel fill up. Well I did put some petrol in the tank today (Sunday) and the EMU 'engine icon' light came up later in the day whilst out driving. I don't drive hard, I tend to keep my average driving speed around 50 to 60 mph on motorwasy or A roads (such as the A12).

I opened the fuel filler cap to let any partial vacuum out, started car and 'EMU 'engine icon' still remained illuminated.

On switching off ignition, there was a slight 'clunk' as engine stopped? (or it sounded like that), this didin't happen before. I may just be getting a bit paranoid about noises from the car. Engine starts normally and ticks over well. ?????

All very puzzling. The 'engine icon' lights up after around 10 to15 miles at the moment. It behaved itself this morning, but when I went for a short drive out this afternoon, the 'engine icon' light remained 'on'. All very puszzling and a bit annoying as I don't know if I can relay on the car.

It is booked in again for garage checks on Tuesday where I've been advised that the EMU unit might have to be removed so that all cabling/wires can be checked for corrosion/wear.

 

[a1ant]

When it goes in, ask them for a print out or list of the fault codes. I guess we should give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they know what they're doing, but "stripping down" the ECU etc is very strange indeed.

It sounds like classic lambda or something simple like that to me, but a fault code will give us more of an idea.

Alan

 

[unclevanya]

I phoned garage and spoke with the Service Manager. All cabling etc has been checked and are clear of wear/corrosion. Fault is on the EMU (engine management system) which has been generating faulty error codes that was pointing to one of the injection systems. This was pointing to one of the fuel injectors, but when the mechanics checked this, there was NO fault. Problem apears to be faulty EMU.

A new EMU for a 2005 Fiat Panda 1.1 petrol has been ordered up from the Fiat Main dealership in nearby. They are not sure if they can get an 'off the shelf' unit, or have to order up a part and wait for it to be delivered. Finally I have an answer to panda's problems, however it might be a few days before I get the car back.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Finally I have an answer to panda's problems, however it might be a few days before I get the car back.

I hate to say it but don't hold your breath, wait until you get the car back first.

 

[unclevanya]

My Old Geezer car, Fiat Panda Active now back home, and running alright. Test drive today of around 50 miles on motorways and other roads. Car behaving itself as it should. New EMU unit installalled. No specific causes for problem with original EMU unit except as stated before - it was generating duff error code? which caused the 'Engne Icon' amber to light up, causing the Vehicle Mechanics to chase down wrong fault. Fault code (not sure what it was), was indicating a carburation/injector problem on one of the pots, but on investigation there was no problems found..??

Hope problem is now solved - as vehicle was under warranty, this cost me nothing except the 'embuggarance' factor' of not having my car for a week.

 

[unclevanya]

... continuing saga, and embugarance factor.... amber icon light came on again whilst driving., no loss of power or anything like that.

Car back at garage, error code read which points to a "Possible Injector Problem???"

Error Code deleted frm EMU unit, car driving again, fault remains off. Have been advised if fault re-occurs, to book car back into garage. So what is this probleM??????????????

Perhaps on o2 problem in the petrol/air mix?????. Or another faulty sensor of some description. ALL very frustrating.

boogar, boogar.... double boogar....!!

 

[unclevanya]

Speaking to a friend who had similar problems on a Vauxhall Zafira some years ago, ended up have the EMU replaced and the Lambda sensor on the car's catalyzer side. After this - no more problems. But as far as my Fiat Panda 1.1, I will have to see what happens. If it needs to go back into dock again, I will ask that the Lambda sensor is checked /replaced with a new one, as the proximity to the exhaust system/heat/muck etc, I suspect can cause deterioration after thousands of miles motoring.