MIL won't go away

[RHY 11S]

My MIL started flashing the other day, at which point I turned the car round and drove [200 metres] back to my house.

I gave the car a little rest, checked the coolant, checked the oil [- very low, so I topped up] and started again. This time no problems and I have done several journey since. I think the issue was starting off too quickly on a cold morning, with low oil.

Thankfully it doesn't feel like I've done any damage, BUT the MIL won't go off! I've done about 7 journeys without any issue now, and I was expecting it do disappear after 4[?] successful start-ups/journeys but it hasn't.

Now I'm getting concerned. Can someone tell me if the MIL has to be reset after it's started flasing, as it is more serious than it just lighhting up, but not flashing. This is the only explanation I can think for why it has not disappeared.

Thanks

[John D.]

Mother In Law?

[kevin ritson]

If its been flashing at any point I'd get it looked at, if for nothing more than peace of mind.

[Lawrence5]

Was told if it was anything serious you'd notice in the way it drove but worth getting the code read to make sure its nothing serious. Don't think the flashing clears only the constant light - garage will liekly need to reset it.....

[RHY 11S]

To clarify, it's not flashing anymore.
It's just a constant light, but hasn't turned off after several journeys without any issues.
Does it need to be reset or is it telling me there's something serious going on which is why it's not turning off?.

[Lawrence5]

http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Malfunction_indicator_lamp

<<The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is provides to warn the driver that the engine management system has detected a fault which may result in increased toxic emissions from the exhaust.

If the lamp lights steady whilst driving, dealer advice should be sought without delay, and all unnecessary journeys avoided.
If the lamp flashes, an engine misfire has been detected which is sufficiently severe to cause overheat damage to the catalytic converter. Slow down immediately and be prepared to stop.
If the MIL then stops flashing, and is lit steady, proceed with caution and seek dealer advice.
If the MIL continues to flash, stop the engine and seek dealer advice. Continuing to drive the car with a flashing MILmay cause overheat damage to the exhaust catalyst and increase toxic emissions>>

Could be it is still picking up something - if it isn't going away then get the code read - could be any of a hundred reasons.....


Code Fault Description

P0011 A Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance

P0012 A Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded

P0076 Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low

P0077 Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High

P0101 Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Range/Performance

P0102 Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Low Input

P0103 Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit High Input

P0106 Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/Performance

P0107 Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Low Input

P0108 Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit High Input

P0111 Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance

P0112 Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Low

P0113 Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High

P0116 Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance

P0117 Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Low

P0118 Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit High

P0121 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch “A” Circuit Range/Performance

P0122 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch “A” Circuit Low

P0123 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch “A” Circuit High

P0128 Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature)

P0131 O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Pre Catalyst)

P0132 O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Pre Catalyst)

P0133 O2 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Pre Catalyst)

P0134 O2 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Pre Catalyst)

P0135 O2 Sensor Heater Circuit (Pre Catalyst)

P0137 O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Post Catalyst)

P0138 O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Post Catalyst)

P0139 O2 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Post Catalyst)

P0140 O2 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Post Catalyst)

P0141 O2 Sensor Heater Circuit (Post Catalyst)

P0171 System Too Lean

P0172 System Too Rich

P0201 Injector Circuit/Open – Cylinder 1

P0202 Injector Circuit/Open – Cylinder 2

P0203 Injector Circuit/Open – Cylinder 3

P0204 Injector Circuit/Open – Cylinder 4

P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected

P0301 Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected

P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected

P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected

P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected

P0324 Knock Control System Error

P0327 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Low

P0328 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit High

P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor “A” Circuit Range/Performance

P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor “A” Circuit

P0351 Ignition Coil “A” Primary/Secondary Circuit

P0352 Ignition Coil “B” Primary/Secondary Circuit

P0353 Ignition Coil “C” Primary/Secondary Circuit

P0354 Ignition Coil “D” Primary/Secondary Circuit

P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold

P0441 Evaporative Emission System Incorrect Purge Flow

P0442 Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (small leak)

P0444 Evaporative Emission System Purge Control Valve Circuit Open

P0445 Evaporative Emission System Purge Control Valve Circuit Shorted

P0446 Evaporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit

P0447 Evaporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit Open

P0448 Evaporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit Shorted

P0451 Evaporative Emission System Pressure Sensor/Switch Range/Performance

P0452 Evaporative Emission System Pressure Sensor/Switch Low

P0453 Evaporative Emission System Pressure Sensor/Switch High

P0455 Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (large leak)

P0456 Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (very small leak)

P0461 Fuel Level Sensor “A” Circuit Range/Performance

P0462 Fuel Level Sensor “A” Circuit Low

P0463 Fuel Level Sensor “A” Circuit High

P0480 Fan 1 Control Circuit

P0481 Fan 2 Control Circuit

P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor “A”

P0506 Idle Air Control System RPM Lower Than Expected

P0507 Idle Air Control System RPM Higher Than Expected

P0508 Idle Air Control System Circuit Low

P0509 Idle Air Control System Circuit High

P0562 System Voltage Low

P0563 System Voltage High

P0601 Watchdog

P0606 Checksum

P0627 Fuel Pump Control Circuit /Open

P0646 A/C Clutch Relay Control Circuit Low

P0647 A/C Clutch Relay Control Circuit High

P1301 Misfire level causing emissions increase

P1302 Misfire level causing catalyst system damage

P2602 Coolant Pump Control Circuit Low

P2603 Coolant Pump Control Circuit High

P2646 A Rocker Arm Actuator System Performance or Stuck Off

P2647 A Rocker Arm Actuator System Stuck On

P2648 A Rocker Arm Actuator Control Circuit Low

P2649 A Rocker Arm Actuator Control Circuit High

[miro]

fitted an induction kit recently?

[Hollow Legs]

Mine flashed a bit then came on constantly. Then on the drive to the dealer it went out (typical).

Turned out to be a loose battery connection.

As others have said it indicates something abnormal occured or is occuring. Best thing to do is get it looked at. At least then you know it's either nothing or something needs fixing. Better to know imo.