Technical newbe chinq - engine management light on

[chrisstockton]

hi guys,

i just bought a 1995 chinq 900cc for my gf to learn to drive in, i got it for a really good price but has a couple of small issues to resolve.

The most obvious is the engine management light is on all the time. it goes out for about 3 seconds after the car starts then comes on. the only realy running issue that accompanies this is poor idle. it can cut out when cold - wont idle unless you push throttle a bit. when warm idle can be erratic.

any suggestions guys?

 

[Eklipze3k]

Hi Chris, welcome to the forum.

Only way to be sure what the problem is is to get the error codes read, otherwise we'll just be shooting in the dark.

 

[chrisstockton]

hey,

yeah, is this something that can be done at home, ive had saabs for years, and there was proceedures that allowed us home mechanics to read the codes..

 

[Eklipze3k]

Check the Guides - this one may help, I've not tried it myself so I'm sure ycming or someone who has will be along shortly

 

[Ouby]

All the hallmarks of an induction leak. Check all the pipes attached to the throttle body/air filter, chances are you will find one is split.

 

[chrisstockton]

cheers guys,

will check the pipes out tomoz when its light again

 

[slugworth1987]

ECU light comes on with the following sensors

MAP, Carbon canister solenoid, Throttle position, crank sensor, idle control valve, air temp sensor

check for bad earths or failing sensors

my guess in air side so MAP air temp or tps

 

[Ouby]

will check the pipes out tomoz when its light again

Do it now.
A torch & a long Mackintosh will do you
Just don't approach any young ladies

 

[rallycinq]

While its dark open the bonnet with the engine running and look for any random flashes around the plug leads.

What is the service history of the car?

Cheers

D

 

[andys cinq]

ECU light comes on with the following sensors

MAP, Carbon canister solenoid, Throttle position, crank sensor, idle control valve, air temp sensor

check for bad earths or failing sensors

my guess in air side so MAP air temp or tps

dont forget lambda as well

 

[chrisstockton]

hi guys,

well one less than promising sign is a ht lead with some insulating tape wrapped around it....

so these have a 3-prong diagnostic plug near the ECU?

 

[slugworth1987]

Lambda doesn't kick up a light just goes into pre-set a/f mix

As for diagnositcs yes 3pin to VGA COMM type obi then obi to usb

 

[ycming]

Lambda doesn't kick up a light just goes into pre-set a/f mix

As for diagnositcs yes 3pin to VGA COMM type obi then obi to usb

They do kick up the management light.

Ming

 

[slugworth1987]

Don't on the 18FD nor the 6F???? Weird

 

[rallycinq]

Don't on the 18FD nor the 6F???? Weird

There are circumstances when a lambda fault will illuminate the light. However, quite often the lambda can be not working but not throwing a light.

To the OP, do that darkness check.

Cheers

D

 

[chrisstockton]

and what is the darkness test? lol

 

[rallycinq]

and what is the darkness test? lol

While its dark open the bonnet with the engine running and look for any random flashes around the plug leads.

What is the service history of the car?

Cheers

D

Cheers

D

 

[chrisstockton]

hi guys, ok had a look at it tonight, doesnt look too bad, the ht leads are crap, doesnt seem to be any splits in the air pipes, earth straps are on. one ht lead was shorting on the starter, so ive sorted that.

think a plug into a diagnostic is next

 

[rallycinq]

When was the car last serviced?

What grade of oil is in it?

As the light is coming on after 3 secs, its not the lambda, its out of circuit until warm.

Check the temp sensor against the nominals.

Cheers

D

 

[chrisstockton]

hi there, no evidence for when it was last serviced.
so dont know the type of oil.

ill check that out see what it gives.

ive ordered one of the 3 pin to 16 pin adaptors and i think a friend has the vag com, so will try and see if this works when it arrives.

looking at the few bits of paper i got with the car, it seems in jan, there was a receipt for a garage looking at a misfire - they changed the plugs.

then another 6 weeks later to check for stalling, and the remedy was clean the idle control value out.

then thats it...