Engine problem, Help

[paulrog1]

Well, I've got a problem, I have spent a couple of days replacing the coil packs and the engine is not running properly, I get "Emission System Service required" the engine light is on with the warning triangle and the engine is running lumpy.

The thing is when I started it this afternoon it ran ok? no problem?

I don't have an OBD reader to find the codes, I guess this is a good time to get one?

Thanks for your help.

[krisdelta]

I think the first step will be to check all the work you've done, if the engine is rough running then it's possible one of the connectors has come loose, could be a very simple fix. An OBD reader is an excellent investment if you're doing some maintenance yourself.

[paulrog1]

I've double checked the fuel injector and sensor connections, nothing wrong there.

Is it just the case of resetting the codes with an OBDII reader or is this something more serious, should the engine run lumpy before the codes are reset?

Only thing that springs to mind is maybe one of the coils are not on one of the sparkplugs properly?

Hopefully i'll get the reader on Thursday and find out the codes.

Thanks for your help.

[telum01]

First I'd check everything you did during the work. Get a code reader, they're a great investment. I'd also check all the vacuum and air hoses to make sure they're all connected. A smoke test is a quick way to figure out if you have any leaks, but you'll probably have to get to a mechanic to get that done. Unmetered air coming in through a disconnected hose can cause that lumpiness, along with the CEL/emissions warning.

[yvr]

Had my coils replaced recently at the dealer. One of the new coils was bad and had to be replaced.

Hope that's not your situation. ODB reader should tell the story.

[paulrog1]

Ok, got the codes this morning, although very frustratingly I cannot reset them, codes are -

P0460 - Fuel level sensor A circuit
P0113 - Intake air temperature sensor 1 circuit high input
P0602 - Powertrain control module VID block error
P0174 - System too lean bank 2
P0443 - Evaporative emission system purge control valve circuit

Plus 3 RCM codes, 3 GEM codes 1 MC & 1 EATC code.

Now I assume some of these would have been generated when I de-pressurised the fuel system prior to doing the work as I removed the fuel relay and ran the engine down.

I'm getting a better OBD reader tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to clear these faults and try again.

But any good ideas very very welcome at the moment.

Thanks

[paulrog1]

I've got hold of the DB9 OBDII diagnostic manual and the good news is the engine codes are nothing to do with the ignition coils so we have -

P0113, Intake air temperature sensor (MAF) this is weird as I never went anywhere near this.

P0174 - Fuel Air too lean, I assume this is because of the engine run down before changing the ignition coils.

P0443 - Vapour management valve, this is also strange as I haven't touched this item, I can't even find it, should be near the engine bulkhead offside. don't know why the code has come up?

P0460 - Fuel level circuit out of range low, I assume this is because of the engine run down

P0602 - Vehicle VD test failed, minor fault.

The strange thing is that the engine ran fine for 20 minutes no problems and as soon as I drove it a few hours later the engine light went on with a lumpy engine,

Question is did the engine go into limp mode?? I don't know but I assume it did???

Hopefully i'll get these reset tomorrow and i'll have a better idea, Feeling quite stressed because if I can't sort this the nearest AM dealership is over 50 miles away.

Any helpful advice would be great.

Tanks.

[agaton12]

I believe many controlling routines in the PCM software do not become active until the vehicle is moving at a certain speed. Could this be the reason everything seemed normal until you started driving? Until then the old values would have been used.
Have you considered disconnecting the battery to reset the PCMs?

[paulrog1]

Update,

Got a proper OBDII reader today and cleared the codes and everything is ok now, I've been out for a long drive no engine light and the engine runs smoothly.

So I'm happy now, just need to do the rundown procedure later.

So anyone that's thinking of replacing the sparkplugs & coils I recommend to get an OBDII reader to clear the codes afterwards.