Technical engine management light flashing after new battery fitted

[stevomagners]

Hi, the battery on my sons y plate 2001, 1250cc punto went flat and the car wouldn't start with a jump so I bought a new battery for him, but since fitting the new battery the engine management light keeps flashing....does anyone know how to fix this?

 

[sixpotman]

It may clear it's self after a number of stop starts
if not it may help if we knew the engine fault codes.

John

 

[stevomagners]

It may clear it's self after a number of stop starts
if not it may help if we knew the engine fault codes.

John

Sorry john, but I do not know what that means...what's the engine fault codes?

 

[mahol]

Sorry john, but I do not know what that means...what's the engine fault codes?

you will have to get a diagnostics check done. on board your ECU it records fault codes for faults that occur (Car's internal computer) if for example the power steering fails a code (which was 112 if i remember right) will be recorded into the ECU.

each code means something different, here's a tip;

I got an engine management light come on once and the car went into the horrible limp home mode and was misfiring turned out to be the HT Leads, i called the RAC who happen to have a Diagnostic checker (see where im going here) and you don't have to pay for a check then. FIAT charge around £65 just for a check in peterborough.

i know there are these DIY checkers but if i was you i would mess about with doing that if you dont 110% know what your doing, plus some dont know what all the codes are so i've heard.

good luck with it.

 

[T14086]

Stevo, you need to carry out a phonic wheel learn or you have a misfire.

 

[stevomagners]

Jeez guys, all I did was replace a flat battery (new battery cost £50) and now I need a £65 diagnostic check???.........

 

[T14086]

Jeez guys, all I did was replace a flat battery (new battery cost £50) and now I need a £65 diagnostic check???.........

read post #5

 

[mahol]

Jeez guys, all I did was replace a flat battery (new battery cost £50) and now I need a £65 diagnostic check???.........

can i just ask, was the management light there before the battery was changed don't know if you already said.

and did you have the old battery checked at a garage to make sure it was dead.

because im thinking if not, it may not have been the battery it could have been the spark plugs, HT leads or coil pack which would also cause problems starting up your car but would at the same time explain why the engine management light is on. because when i think about it why would the engine management light be on for a fault concerning a battery surely you would get the battery symbol???, doesn't make sense, so that's why im thinking ignition.

get where im going here, don't know if it make sense but hey

Also in my book it says if engine management light is flashing;

its a warning that the catalyser can be damaged. (iirc this is usually as a result to the fuel not being burnt off fully before entering the exhaust system - again possible due to ignition system spark plugs, leads, coil pack)

if it solid light;
Fuel or ignition system failure.

but honestly don't part with any cash just yet, it may just be that you need to wait a week or two starting and turning off the car will sort it. if it was any of these problems ive mentioned your would notice it in your driving listen to the engine, is it using more fuel, is there a drop in performance etc.
SO DONT PANIC JUST YET

 

[Tony123]

same happened to me when i dissconnected and reconnected my battery.. i would just wait a couple of days and it should go off. nothing i worry about unless you short circuited something whilst fitting the new battery

 

[tinytim]

what was the evidence for the battery being the original problem?
try leaving the battery disconnected overnight to reboot the ecu.

 

[sixpotman]

Posted by Ned

If your engine control unit has detected a error in the system of sensors on the engine it will do a few things,at first stiff of a error it will register it in it`s memory but if it does not see this error again after a couple of drive cycles ( Starting of car and a 4-6 mile or more drive) it will forget it but it will still hold it inits memory,but if the error keeps reoccuring then it will put on the engine warning light. The dealer can clear this memory using the Examiner Tool then the car needs to be driven for a drive cycle,to allow the ecu to relearn the throttle positions and loads etc often called adaption, but the "Phonic wheel learn" is a operation that require the engine to be run to operating temp then the engine speed raised above 3000rpm approx three times this teaches the ecu the position of the rpm sensor inrelation to the front engine pulley. "Throttle Learn" is a operation that allows the motorised throttle body to relearn its positions for closed,idle,half and full throttle all these operations are carried out to reset the ecu if you have had a fault and they try to rectfy it, I hpoe this makes things a little clearer for you.

Thanks Ned for the explanation

John

 

[stevomagners]

Guys, I really appreciate everyone taking the time to read my posts and offer advice, so thanks very much.

Just to let everyone know exactly what happened.......I bought the car a number of weeks ago and suspected the battery was on its way out as one morning it needed a jump start after not using it for a couple of days. The battery wasn't totally flat but didn't have the power to start the car, but it started ok with a jump.

My son took the car the other morning and was listening to the radio (with the engine off) for about 15 mins. He called me to say the car wouldn't start and I went down and tried to jump start it, but it wouldn't take a jump, in fact it wouldn't take any power whatsoever from the jump (not even enough power to turn the lights on!)

I went and bought a new battery and the car started immediately, but as I said the engine management light started flashing and still is.

Before this the light wasn't on and there was absolutely no problems with the car. Since then the only symptom is the flashing light...the car starts fine, drives great and has no loss of power.

I really dont want to take the car to a dealer as they will probably charge me a fortune to fix it.....

 

[mahol]

your right there the dealer will charge you a bomb. if the car drives fine don't worry. as a few people have said it will probably sort itself out.

 

[DaveMcT]

It might sort itself out. Search the ECU learn routine there's stuff on that to be found.

 

[T14086]

Last person I advised to see a dealer with flashing EM light didn't..but I met them again 3 weeks later after having a £300 cat fitted.

 

[DaveMcT]

Did it really need the new cat or did the original fault wreck the cat?

 

[T14086]

Yes it did (not into that ripping people off stuff) & even showed the customer the signal from the downstream lambda sensor before & after. Initially the signal was relatively flat (4.5v) but when they returned it was switching constantly.

They were driving around with heavy misfire & even admitted ignoring the EM light, you can only advice of such conditions. Its up to the customer to act on your advice.

 

[DaveMcT]

Sorry I was too cryptic & not meaning to suggest you would do that.

Clearly the work needed doing. I meant had the cat/lambda failed or had something else caused it to fail.

As you just said they were driving with a heavy missfire and ignored warning lights. Only themselves to blame for making a small fault into a big problem.