Engine management light removed?

miniyazz

miniyazz

miniyazz

Soldato
Joined
25 Dec 2008
Posts
5,976
Location
Sheffield/Norwich
Hi guys,

A friend of mine bought a car about 5 months ago and noticed a while back the engine management light wasn't coming on when the engine's started. So we got round to having a play earlier this evening and took out the instrument panel and found the LED is missing for the engine management light..

No obvious problems with the car itself, although the OBD flags up "intermittent low voltage" faults on the airbag (airbag light working but not lit) and the radio. It's a bit suspicious though so I thought I'd see if anyone's got any opinions on the matter?
 
Have you checked to see if the alternator is charging properly?

Removing the bulb is much cheaper than buying a new alternator.
 
miniyazz said:
Hi guys,

A friend of mine bought a car about 5 months ago and noticed a while back the engine management light wasn't coming on when the engine's started. So we got round to having a play earlier this evening and took out the instrument panel and found the LED is missing for the engine management light..

No obvious problems with the car itself, although the OBD flags up "intermittent low voltage" faults on the airbag (airbag light working but not lit) and the radio. It's a bit suspicious though so I thought I'd see if anyone's got any opinions on the matter?
Click to expand...

Its a well known trick/scam by people trying to fob off faulty cars. The Audi tt's im looking at are riddled with cars which have had warning lights removed or covered up, so the seller can get rid of his lemon of a car.
 
The battery is a bit temperamental but works. I think he occasionally gets a warning message about the alternator but it goes away within seconds each time.

Do you think he has any recourse with the seller (second-hand place) given it's nearly 6 months down the line, if it's the latter reasons?
 
miniyazz said:
The battery is a bit temperamental but works. I think he occasionally gets a warning message about the alternator but it goes away within seconds each time.
Click to expand...

So the alternator or aux belt has an issue. Fix this and you fix everything else, as everything else seems to point to low battery and this would cause that.

Why do people make this sort of thing so difficult for themselves? The first time the alternator light came on was his clue as to what was wrong with his car!
 
[TW]Fox;22304814 said:
So the alternator or aux belt has an issue. Fix this and you fix everything else, as everything else seems to point to low battery and this would cause that.

Why do people make this sort of thing so difficult for themselves? The first time the alternator light came on was his clue as to what was wrong with his car!
Click to expand...

Alternator's aren't that expensive are they? Or particularly difficult to fit. Should be possible for a garage (or DIYer) to do it for under £50?

Seems silly to take out an LED instead of doing that :p

Phil W said:
My friend found chewing gum covering his EML!
Click to expand...

At least you've still got the LED then! :D
 
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