MIL Flashing

[tronaghan]

Hi all
My 02 4.5 is driving well , however when she warms up( maybe 10 mins of driving) the MIL starts flashing intermittently. Seems to be mainly on acceleration and between 3-4000 rpm . It doesnt flash below 3000 much . Interestingly driving it the other night with the lights on , when the MIL light flashed the dips dimmed slightly and when on full heads it flashed more and the dimming was evident even more .
The power and engine seems unaffected . Could this be symptoms of a fuse going or a poorly charged battery . I dont have a diagnostics handset , and my local servicer is about 2 hours away so was wondering did anyone have similar symptoms in the past before I make the trek .
Thanks
T.

[stuthemong]

2 hours to indy = buy diag tool.

For £20 it's a no brainer. It will tell you what is wrong, otherwise you are just guessing.

[SL500]

I would check the battery connections and also your 100 amp fuse as either might have a bit of corrosion on them causing poor contact.

[ARDA]

i have the same problem
need to look into it

[gruffalo]

Check 100A fuse and earth poins behind the dash.

[Gazzab]

If it feels electronic rather than mechanical then it might be the coil packs.

[tronaghan]

Thanks Guys .
I am happy to check the battery terminals and the "big fuse" but am wondering if the coil packs might be a bridge too far for a "white collar" worker ( although I did replace the fuel line myself 2 months ago and still no flames so not afraid to get in there as long as I cannot do too much damage ) http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/imgs/6.gif
Will keep you up to speed on my diagnostics

[Tanguero]

stuthemong said:

2 hours to indy = buy diag tool.

For £20 it's a no brainer. It will tell you what is wrong, otherwise you are just guessing.

There is no £20 diag tool for the MBE ECU - you need to use a laptop with a serial connection and the diagnostic software.

[esso]

My MIL light started flashing yesterday,been for a drive today to try & see what`s occuring,it seems that at tickover or under light load it stays on but if I accelerate a a fair pace it goes out until the revs drop down then it comes back on again.Checked oil,oil pressure,temp,100 amp fuse all OK.Anyone got any ideas?or should I get it plugged into a laptop & diagnosed?

[Gazzab]

Depends!
Maybe the air temp sensor?

[stuthemong]

Tanguero said:

stuthemong said:

2 hours to indy = buy diag tool.

For £20 it's a no brainer. It will tell you what is wrong, otherwise you are just guessing.

There is no £20 diag tool for the MBE ECU - you need to use a laptop with a serial connection and the diagnostic software.

The £20 was for a USB->serial adaptor &lead - few have serial ports on their laptops now :-)

[Tanguero]

Duhhhh! As you were